Super A - Generator

Hi all,

'Tis the maintenance season. I have a Super A that appears to have an original generator. The tractor starts fine (other than on the coldest of days) I'm not entirely certain I'm getting a great deal of juice back off the generator though. It seems that I replace, or have to pull off and charge my battery almost yearly. The amp meter seems operable as it moves a bit when I pull the starter switch. It barely indicates any juice when running.

I've read a bit about refurbishing the generator heads but figured I'd ask for any ones experiences in doing this.

Alternatively if it seems time for a replacement do folks have opinions regarding installing a new generator or switching to an alternator. I'd assumed switching made sense but have heard from folks that found their tractors didn't start well with the alternator.

Appreciative of your insight,

Brian

Brian - The Super A will start reliably in the coldest weather with a well-maintained 6 volt electrical system. So unless your tractor is a daily worker, I'd stay with the stock 6 volt system.

A good system will charge 12 - 15 amps (about 2/3 right deflection on the ammeter) after startup. It sounds like yours is charging very little if it all. But before you tear into the generator, make sure generator is indeed the problem and not the regulator or wiring.

A quick test: Run a temporary jumper wire between the generator "F" terminal and a GOOD ground. Now run the engine at governed RPM and note the ammeter reading.

If the ammeter shows 12 - 15 amps the generator is fine - the problem is a bad regulator, a bad regulator ground or a wiring problem. But if if the ammeter's still centered then be looking for a generator problem.

I believe there is every reason to get the generator operating well.
The Super A has a regulator based system of controling the generator output.
Do the following: (you will need a foot long piece of copper wire, and a volt meter) Start the tractor. When it has run for a minute or a bit more, run the throttle to 1/2 speed or a bit more. With someone watching the amp gauge, touch the wire to ground(bright shiny place on the frame, no paint)and touch the other end to the F terminal on the generator. (no harm will come to the person doing this) when it is grounded, the amp meter should swing to the right (about 10 to 14 amps charge. If it does, replace the regulator. If it does not, do this.
Shut off the tractor and touch the same piece of wire to the Arm or A terminal of the generator, and the other end to the Bat terminal. this will polarize the generator. If it sparks a nice bright spark, good. If no spark, the generator, may be in need of brushes/rebuild.
If no spark, check voltage on that terminal (bat) to see if it is connected. If not, check the wire's connection to the amp gauge..
John T has provided a great check list (in the search for box, put John T charging system diagnosis) Go from there. JimN

here is the link to john t's "super duper genny charging system helper-outer diagnostic testing proceedure" follow each test and write down your results. if it still dont charge then give john t or janicholson a shout!!!! they helped me with an h that would not charge!!!!!
john ts checklist

Brian: Like the others, I agree 6 volt will start a Super A in any climate it's fit for you to be out in. Make sure it has 00 or 01 gauge battery cables and engine well tuned.

Where I disagree with the others is your charging system. Get rid of that damn generator and regulator. Sure it can be made to work right, the problem is to keep it working right, long term. I put a 6 volt alternator on my Super A 18 years ago. Since that time, I've cleaned the battery cables once per year and bought one new battery around 2004. My batteries last well because I have an excellent charging system. My tractor starts well because I have a good starting system. Two different items, and many folks don't realize this.

Hugh's comment on reliability is to be taken seriously. But both paths take some "engineuity". Installing a 6v alternator is not a bolt in deal. It requires some rewiring and making/adapting brackets. There are many descriptions of how adn what in these posts. (use the search for box to find them).
The repair of the generator system will be fine as well, and require no rewiring (except of course if someone messed with it, and it needs rewired). The generator system usually needs attention every three years when used a lot, and if stored for 6 months can require more than that because of mechanical components liking to be worked. Best of luck, we are all on the same side. JimN

Brian:
A good working 6-V generator system will be fine for you - except under one kind of condition...... if you are starting and stopping the engine often, or idling the engine a lot, then a battery ignition system will pull the battery down rather quickly. Each year, I clean out the trees and trim brush in my pasture. I use one of the tractors to pull the brush wagon and I move a few feet and stop, move a few feet and stop. Either way - idling or shutting off the engine between moves - that type situation will pull down the battery - unless you have a magneto ignition system. It is the only time I even think about having an alternator.
mike