Starter question

[Shocko]

I’m new to this. I recently bought a 1949 super A. It’s been great. It has been converted to 12 volts. The starter doesn’t engage sometimes when I pull on the rod. I remembered an older man tapping on his starter to get it to work when I was a kid. I tried it and it worked. Does anyone know what might need to be replaced in the starter or if anything needs to be done. If I run it on the lower side of rpm’s, it doesn’t start charging. That might have something to do with it also. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[staninlowerAL]

Welcome to the forum. My first suggestion is to check the internal parts for wear. The symptoms you describe can be as simple as the brushes worn to the point that they will not make good contact with the armature. The fact that it works (intermittently) indicates that it needs service and rebuild/replace the worn parts as needed. Not a hard job if you have the knowledge. skills and tools. A good automotive electrical shop should be able to take care of the inspection and repair. You might already be aware that the OEM electrical system is 6v positive ground. Parts are readily available. JMHO Stans

 

[Shocko]

Welcome to the forum. My first suggestion is to check the internal parts for wear. The symptoms you describe can be as simple as the brushes worn to the point that they will not make good contact with the armature. The fact that it works (intermittently) indicates that it needs service and rebuild/replace the worn parts as needed. Not a hard job if you have the knowledge. skills and tools. A good automotive electrical shop should be able to take care of the inspection and repair. You might already be aware that the OEM electrical system is 6v positive ground. Parts are readily available. JMHO Stans

Thanks, I’ll check that out.

 

[MiCarl]

Your issue with it not charging at low RPM is likely unrelated to your cranking problem. One wire alternators are self exciting and won't produce current until they reach sufficient RPM to energize the field coil. These tractors run at low RPM compared to modern automobile engines so your alternator is spinning much below its design speed. In many cases with the tractor at low RPM the alternator isn't spinning fast enough to be excited.

A have an H with a one wire alternator conversion. It won't start charging until I run the engine up to about half speed. Once it gets started it will continue to charge at idle.

 

[Shocko]

Your issue with it not charging at low RPM is likely unrelated to your cranking problem. One wire alternators are self exciting and won't produce current until they reach sufficient RPM to energize the field coil. These tractors run at low RPM compared to modern automobile engines so your alternator is spinning much below its design speed. In many cases with the tractor at low RPM the alternator isn't spinning fast enough to be excited.

A have an H with a one wire alternator conversion. It won't start charging until I run the engine up to about half speed. Once it gets started it will continue to charge at idle.

The gentleman that I bought the tractor from fixed a light on the alternator that goes off when it starts charging. It seems to work the way you are saying. In the future, I’ll make sure that it is charging first. Thanks for the help!

 

[staninlowerAL]

The gentleman that I bought the tractor from fixed a light on the alternator that goes off when it starts charging. It seems to work the way you are saying. In the future, I’ll make sure that it is charging first. Thanks for the help!

What you're seeing with the light is a typical way to keep the battery from discharging when the system is shut down. JMHO Stan

 

[Gary Dotson]

Actually, the light on yours is exciting the alternator. It’s a charge indicator light, just like many cars had, back in the day. In your case it was a fix for stubborn to excite one wire alternator. A good fix, by the way!