Anti charging generator

[offrink]

When I get a chance I’ll do it again.

[offrink]

Tried to polarize the generator again by jumping from the battery right to the generator. RIP generator. I spun a couple of days ago but today, nothing.

[Eugene]

Conveting to 12 volt single wire alternator?

[offrink]

Are they worth it? Do I need to convert lights as well?

[inairam]

you would have to convert the lights.

I personally would get the generator rebuilt or post in the vine for a working 6 v generator. a rebuild is much more expensive than a 1 wire alternator but you have the rest of the 6 volt system

[Eugene]

Are they worth it?

I converted my Cub to 12 volt single wire alternator because the Cub was the last tractor/vehicle with 6 volt system. Also cheaper than repairing the generator system.

Also my 12 v. implements didn't work on 6 volts; sprayer, seeder, water pump.

Your choice, convert or not. My opinion convert.

[Jim Becker]

Sorry to be blunt, but you have posted an absolutely bewildering set of symptoms and component failures. Among all the problems, it must be incorrectly wired. Incorrect wiring with a 12-volt alternator will not work any better than incorrect wiring with a 6-volt generator. I suggest you find someone local that can look first-hand and help sort it all out.

[offrink]

Took it he generator to a shop to be rebuilt. They tested and agreed it was not working. I asked them about the symptoms and they suggested that the brushes(?) could be worn down and if the polarity was reversed they could have “fluffed” up a little and had it run for a short time. This tractor had a working charging system for 7 years before I split the tractor for a new rear seal about a year and a half ago.

If I didn’t just buy a new battery and VR I would have done the 12 volt swap. I was quoted at $125-150 for a rebuild. A good resource to have.

[offrink]

Sorry to be blunt, but you have posted an absolutely bewildering set of symptoms and component failures. Among all the problems, it must be incorrectly wired. Incorrect wiring with a 12-volt alternator will not work any better than incorrect wiring with a 6-volt generator. I suggest you find someone local that can look first-hand and help sort it all out.

I prefer blunt. It makes things easy to understand.

[offrink]

Had my generator checked and it came out as having no issues but won’t motor when connected to the battery for “unknown reasons”. I installed it, polarized the regulator and after replacing all the wires it worked as it should. That was last week. This week, after I attached the plow and put the chains on I started the tractor just to make sure I didn’t need to adjust anything. It was running at a slight negative. I shut off the tractor, repolarized the regulator and restarted. The ammeter went from a slight charge to bouncing negative to positive 5-6 times in a five second period and finally rested on negative and it would no longer charge. Any suggestions? Buy another new voltage regulator and double check it is working properly? Is this more of a generator issue?

[Eugene]

Any suggestions?

12 volt single wire alternator.

[tmays]

Any suggestions?

12 volt single wire alternator.

Agree. I was stubborn for years about keeping things original. But for the price of rebuilding a gen, can change over to altenator. And gen rebuild is usually just the beginning. VR’s are no good for the most part, unless you go with some ridiculously expensive stuff. Switched my stuff over bout a year ago and best thing I could’ve done. Headache gone

[Matt Kirsch]

One thing that I see lacking throughout this whole process is any sort of logical troubleshooting. It's just "It's not doing... so I figured it must be... so I changed... and it's still not working."

That kind of approach can have you chasing your tail indefinitely.

Check out "John T's Generator Troubleshooting" procedure, found by typing that into google. I'm sure I've pasted it on this forum at least once and mentioned it by name here previously as well. It's easy to follow, written using words.

This kind of parallels Jim Becker's comments previously.

Don't discount the alternator either. You can make the conversion for about $100 which is what a replacement generator will cost you and that includes a battery. You only need a good lawn mower battery to start a Cub.