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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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12 volt Alternator

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H fanatic

03-09-2008 19:55:04




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Hey,

I have a 1946 Farmall H and it has been converted to 12 volts. But it doesn't have an alternator yet. I have a three wire alternator, and was wondering what is the right way to wire it in? What I have been told is that the battery terminal and terminal number 2 go to the battery, and terminal number 1 goes to the ignition switch. Is that right? My next question is where does the idiot light go. I would like to add one so I know to know if the old alternator I have takes a crap. Also where do I put the ampmeter
Thanks,
Nick

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Jossette

03-10-2008 18:09:26




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to H fanatic, 03-09-2008 19:55:04  
third party image

rftg



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terryjd

03-10-2008 16:18:50




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to H fanatic, 03-09-2008 19:55:04  
I put the idiot light right at bottom of that rectangular box on mine so I could see it all the time and wouldn't miss seeing it come on and go off when I started the tractor. As for the ampmeter there should be a hole there for it already in that rectangular box where the light switch, key or push pull switch is, just use the same hole. Good luck, you shouldn't have any problems and if ever have a problem in the future it should be real easy to find.

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Gene-AL

03-10-2008 09:14:02




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to H fanatic, 03-09-2008 19:55:04  

If you have a GM-10SI or equivalent alternator:
You MUST connect the negative cable (-) on the battery to frame ground, or the alternator will be instantly damaged when the battery is connected.

Wire the idiot lamp's 2-leads: one to the #1 terminal on alternator, the other to the 'ON' terminal of the ignition switch (same place the coil is fed from, if battery ignition). If you have a magneto, you'll have to install another off/on switch between the load side of the Ammeter and the wire to the idiot lamp and turn it on when in use and off at shut down to prevent battery drain.

Alternator #2 (sense) terminal is wired to the big output terminal as you said.

One terminal of the Ammeter is wired to battery plus (+) usually on the starter switch (or solenoid) battery cable terminal. The other Ammeter terminal is wired to loads - alternator big terminal, lights fuse, ignition switch battery terminal (if battery/coil ignition), or the added switch if you have a magneto. If ammeter reads backwards, swap the wires on the terminals from one side to the other.

A tractor equipped with a magneto has a grounding switch to kill the magneto. Don't try to wire battery voltage or anything else to that switch!

A double-pole double throw 'DPDT' (2-circuit) switch could be substituted for a mag kill switch, wired to un-ground the mag wire and apply battery voltage to the idiot lamp circuit when 'on'.

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tn terry t

03-10-2008 00:22:12




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to Greg-N-CA, 03-09-2008 19:55:04  
how come you devalue a good tread? The man asked for help with his not complete conversion i dont remember him asking for a discussion on th pros and cons of a 12 volt change over. good night to ya sir



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El Toro

03-10-2008 08:15:23




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to tn terry t, 03-10-2008 00:22:12  
Alternators have been around for a long time too.
My first car with an alternator was a 1963 Mercury, they may have been used before that. There's a better choice of batteries too. Hal



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ihc49er#2

03-09-2008 20:45:31




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to H fanatic, 03-09-2008 19:55:04  
how come you guys devalue a good tractor with all this 12 volt stuff, when 6 volts spins that little engine over easily.its worked for over fifty years and still should work. just need all the correct parts,and they start like a dream.i would not even think of degrading my tractors like that.theres no character in 12 volt change overs,maybe the cut out hoods,ugly alt. mounts,loose wires hanging, chopped up batt. boxes,no lights due to burnt bulbs ext.why destroy part of your tractor or history.thats my blog for the day,6 volt must stay.

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terryjd

03-10-2008 00:32:45




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to ihc49er#2, 03-09-2008 20:45:31  
Well to me the switch to 12 volt was easy to decide to do. After trouble shooting everything and figuring out the genny was good and then replacing the voltage regulator which showed as bad things just got worse. I blew the amp meter. So seemed like I got a bad VR. Now I needed another VR and Amp meter. I had an alternator laying around off a chevy so I said what the heck why spend money on a new VR and amp meter for something else to happen. I changed over and am glad I did. Why use 50 year old technology when having problems that cost money when the switch to newer technology is so easy.

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gene bender

03-10-2008 03:24:47




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to terryjd, 03-10-2008 00:32:45  
If its so easy why are you asking questions on how to hook up the 12v system. You must have realy messed up to burn out the amp guage better get things sorted out before you get 12v blowing sparks and burn the tractor up.



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terryjd

03-10-2008 16:01:55




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to gene bender, 03-10-2008 03:24:47  
If you mean me Gene it was when trying to get the 6 volt genny system to work right when I blew the amp meter. That indicated the the VR was bad even though brand new. So why throw good money after bad? As for hooking up the 12 volt system it went nice and smooth, took about 5 hours total that includes making a bracket for the alt., this was on a SC no problems since and still working great. The picture posted by Bob is good. The link posted by tn terry is what H fanatic needs to finnish off his project. It was one of them wiring diagrams I used and they are spot on, easy to follow.

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Bob

03-09-2008 20:32:41




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to H fanatic, 03-09-2008 19:55:04  
Third Party Image

The diode in the lead to the #1 "switched excite" terminal can be replaced by an "idiot light", or a 10 Ohm, 10 Watt ceramic power resistor. ALL 3 of those options function equally well.



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tn terry t

03-09-2008 20:32:39




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 Re: 12 volt Alternator in reply to james rumph, 03-09-2008 19:55:04  
Link look here for wiring diagram



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