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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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Generator not powerful enough?

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Jayrod

09-05-2007 15:26:10




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We have an old McCormick Farmall A either a 1939 or 1940. My grandfather ran it for years and disconnected the headlights. He lost them and I have no idea where they are, so i decided to wire up a set of my own. I bought 2 6v headlamps at Tractor Supply and wired them up. It runs them fine, but they draw a full 10 amps and the ammeter always goes to Discharge when they"re on. I"m no electrical expert, but am i right in assuming that this means they would eventually run the battery dead if left on? if so, how can i fix this problem?

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Chris NW Ind

09-06-2007 03:51:12




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 Re: Generator not powerful enough? in reply to Jayrod, 09-05-2007 15:26:10  
As old as that A is, it is possible that you have a cutout and generator with the generator wired directly to the ground in the cutout. That's how my Cub was. In that way you'd never get a full charge, just 3 or 4 amps at best due to the fact that the path to ground is through a resistor.

So, you have two options:

1 Check to see if you have a 4 postion light switch. The 2nd postion (turning counter-clockwise) is high charge. If yes, then run a long wire from the field lug on the generator to the terminal at the bottom of your light switch. Disconnect and remove the little wire from the field lug to the cutout.

2 Like Bob said replace the cutout with a voltage regulator.
These days, I like option 2 better. I don't have to fool around with guessing low or high charge.

Chris B.

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Idaho Ron

09-05-2007 18:08:39




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 Re: Generator not powerful enough? in reply to Jayrod, 09-05-2007 15:26:10  
If it were me I would use a OHM meter and check all the wires. Mine just needed the ends cleaned good. to take them to full power. Make sure you go from the generator all the way to the coil or mag. Ron



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Jayrod

09-05-2007 18:07:59




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 Re: Generator not powerful enough? in reply to Jayrod, 09-05-2007 15:26:10  
do you think it needs a new generator, or is there a way to fix the one that"s on there? Cause it does charge, just not at 10 amps. Also there is no regulator dial on the ammeter, should there be one?



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Bob M

09-05-2007 18:33:15




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 Re: Generator not powerful enough? in reply to Jayrod, 09-05-2007 18:07:59  
Jayrod - Besides checking the wiring connections, here's couple more things you can try:

1 - With the engine running at full RPM and the lights on, temporarily ground the F terminal at the generator. If the ammeter now indicates charge it's time to replace the voltage regulator. (Or if your A still has a cutout, replace it with a voltage regulator)

2 - Assuming your A still has the original generator, it's output can be adjusted by changing the position of the 3rd brush inside the generator. Moving the 3rd brush closer to the closest fixed brush increases output. But leave a minimum of 2 commutator bars space between the fixed and the 3rd brushes...

Note - a good generator should be good for 13 - 15 amps or so at full speed.

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Jim Becker

09-05-2007 17:26:32




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 Re: Generator not powerful enough? in reply to Jayrod, 09-05-2007 15:26:10  
Yes, they will run the battery down. Fix the charging system, it should keep up with a 10 amp load.



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