Charging system flowchart results

[Clubless]

I have a 1955 standard cub that does not charge battery. It is still original 6v positive ground system with battery distributor, generator and regulator. I have a good battery and clean and tightly connected battery cables, cleaned up regulator terminals and regulator base, and polarized generator. (all the “obvious” items).
1. Pulled out ignition switch and ammeter shows discharge.
2. Ran ground jumper from regulator base to grounded battery terminal post (+ post). Ammeter did not show charge.
3. Jumped generator “FLD” terminal to ground. Ammeter shows charge.

Does the fact that the ammeter shows charge when the generator “FLD” terminal is jumped to ground indicate that my generator is functioning correctly?

So, the flowchart says to replace regulator and I stopped testing at this point. I removed the regulator cover and observed the points on the shorter coil close the contacts when I started tractor and remained closed as long as the tractor was running.

Also for what it’s worth and ignoring TST’s warning of removing battery cable while running tractor, I removed positive ground from battery and tractor continued to run. One of Rachel’s way of testing charging system.

[Glen]

Hi,
Since you have the cover off the voltage regulator, you could file the points and clean them.
The set of points that closes when the engine is running turns the charging system on and off.

The other set of points controls the system voltage, it is usually closed all the time. Open them some, and file them, they get burned over time. The regulator might work again with the points filed.
Run a clean rag through and clean all filings off the points.

Sometimes the regulators still don't work after cleaning the points.

Jim B. has said on here to not disconnect any battery cables when the engine is running, it can damage the generator, because the power has no place to go.

[tst]

yes if the generator puts out with field grounded regulator is not working have another warning for you, Rachel is nice to look at, not listen too

[Clubless]

Glen & TST, thanks for your response!

Just for chuckles, I purchased a cheap aftermarket regulator as a “testing tool” to see if I could get tractor to charge. After installing new regulator and polarizing the generator, I fired up the cub. To my dismay, the ammeter was showing discharge. I looked over the wiring connections to see if I had hooked-up something wrong. Using the 6 volt wiring schematic provided here, it appears I have the correct wire to the correct terminal. I removed and connected wires one at a time to avoid getting things in the wrong place.

Went back to flowchart and with tractor running, I ran ground jumper from regulator base to grounded battery post. Ammeter shows DISCHARGE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZcc2dxmCOg

Then, ran jumper from generator “FLD” terminal to grounded battery post. Ammeter shows CHARGE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S837pkITsJo

Awaiting further instructions...

[tst]

did you polarize the new regulator, the imports are I found poor quality

[Clubless]

Yes, momentarily sparked GEN to BAT terminals on regulator. I've read that the after-market regulators are questionably regarding quality, was hoping to use it more of a "testing" tool more than using as long-term solution. I was hoping to confirm that a new USA made regulator from Brillmans would work before investing $100. Leaning toward conversion to 12v system, just wanted to see if I could get 6v system to charge.

[tst]

it the generator is charging with field grounded the generator is good, make sure wiring to regulator is good, from the generator and amp meter, if so the regulator is NG

[Clubless]

Thanks to all for responses and suggestions to fix the non-charging issue on my 6 volt cub. As I mentioned earlier in this post that I was leaning toward 12 volt system, so I have moved on with the conversion. Started new thread called "Generator to Alternator gone south ?" on that project.

Just wanted to post final results of my efforts.

Gary