6 Volt to 12 Volt Conversion

My problem is: when I turn the ignition switch on, the ammeter deflects to the right and when the engine is running it deflects to the right as well too.

I initially switched the ammeter wires since the system was previously a "positive ground" one. But, on the pre-start test, I noticed when the switch was turned on, the ammeter deflected to the left as indicated correct by the instructions. However, when the engine was running the ammeter also deflected to the left, so I switched the ammeter wires to their original position.

The tractor seems to run fine and according to the alternator-light, it is charging the battery when running.

Why does the ammeter deflect to the right when the switch is on and the engine is NOT running?

Thanks

You haven't given enough information about the type of alternator. If it is a one wire you probably haven't increased the rpm enough to kick it into the charging mode. If it is a three wire it is a bit more complicated to wire properly.

Don't trust the alt light. (It is supposed to be off with the engine running.) With the engine running check the voltage at the battery with an analog (Needle) voltmeter, not a digital. It will show 13-15 volts if it is charging and if it is a one wire you must increased the rpm considerably to get it started charging.

If you have 14v at the battery terminals you have a properly charging alternator no matter what the ammeter says. There is no possible way to get 14v there otherwise!!

You just need to work out the ammeter connections or replace it as suggested by Hugh.

Make sure your alt is not still hot when the ignition is off. If you don't have a switch or some kind of resistance between the R1 or 1 spade and your 12v source it will discharge the battery when off. With the switch off there is an easy way to check this out. Remove one battery cable, hold it close to the battery post and watch for a small spark. If there is any spark you have the alt hooked up wrong and it will drain the battery in a few days. Even better is to hook your digital VOM between the post and cable, it will show the slightest current flow.

By a two wire Delco I assume you mean two spade connectors at the plug position plus the large battery connector? I call this a three wire but I may be wrong.

Sorry I'm not familiar with the Bob Melville hookup.

I should have mentioned that your alternator light should be between the R1 or 1 spade and 12v from your switch to prevent discharging when off. Melville probably shows this.

The alternator is a Delco type 10SI two-wire. It is the same as illustrated by Bob Melville.

I'll check voltages and post results tommorrow.

Thanks for your help.

I never did say how to hook up spade #2 (Or R2) on my Delco Alternators which have the spades in this form (- -). I'm not sure which model it is because the alt isn't marked. Others are set up like this(I I) and I'm not sure which model is which.

Anyway, the R2 (Or 2) spade is hot all the time so it can be connected directly to the battery post on the back of the alternator with a short wire. #2 tells the regulator the voltage in the system to prevent overcharging the battery.

And last of all, obviously, the large terminal on the back of the alt hooks directly to the battery or to the battery terminal on the starter, whichever is the shortest distance. This should be at least a 10 gage wire. It does not go through the switch.

This is probably the same as the Bob Melville, but, as I said, I haven't seen his hookup.