Amp gauge

[Bamacub]

Update on the alternator install. Wired it with the diode and it is charging, but the ampmeter hand is pegged all the way to the plus side. volt metrr reads 14 volts with tractor running. Lights are working and with the tractor not running turn the lights on it's shows no discharge. Tractor off turn the ignition on shows a little discharge

[tst]

it is pegged because that is only a 30 amp gauge, alternator puts out more than 30 amps

[Eugene]

You probably need a 60 amp gauge.

My tractors with 60 amp gauge and alternator. Battery fully charged, upon engine start up the gauge will read above 30 amps, then drop down to near zero amps in a minute or two.

If the tractor hasn't been started for a month or two, the amp gauge will read above 30 amps for +/- 5 minutes.

[Jim Becker]

Put a charger on the battery over night. If mostly charged, the alternator should cut back the charge rate.
Your light switch may be connected to feed from the wrong terminal on the ammeter.

[Bamacub]

I disconnected the lights and meter hand is still peged. Battery is fully charged. With tractor running volt meter at battery reads 14.4 volts. Ampmeter is 30 amp scale, but it should drop back after running a little. I have another cub with an alternator with a 30 amp scale meter and after startup it drops back to near zero, but still reads 14.4 volts at the battery.

[Gary Dotson]

After it has run a bit, the ammeter will drop back. Your meter is probably only a 15 amp meter, that alternator is rated for 32 amp so it will peg if the battery is down a bit. Charge it as Jim mentioned and it should be fine. My tractors do that too but after the system has normalized, it's minimal.

[Eugene]

Amp probe and test the amp flow. $9.99 at Harbor Freight.

Swap the amp meter. Test the battery.

Basically, find out how many amps are flowing and if your tractor amp gauge is accurate.

[Bamacub]

Good news my friend ran the tractor about an hour and the ampmeter hand is just a tick on the charge side just where it is supposed to be. Thanks to everyone for giving their input lots of knowledge here.