Super A regulator

I inherited a Super A that will not charge. I have rebuilt the generator and feel like it is not the problem. I have also put a completely new harness on the tractor. The regulator has three terminals marked BAT, F, L. There is also a terminal on the back of the regulator with no marking that I take is GEN and I hooked it up to the armature lug of the generator.

Is this the right regulator (two internal coils,6V + ground)?

Do I have it hooked up correctly (bat to ammeter. F to gen field lug, armature to the unmarked lug on back)?

Does anyone know the part number of the correct regulator (I don't want to use the resistor)?

Thanks in advance,

Fred

Which resistor is it that you don't want to use?

I'm thinking you should have a three-position light switch, which would not have a field-to-ground resistor for manual regulation like the four-position switch.

Do you have anything connected to the L lug?

BobM's very excellent wiring diagrams are at the link below. Match up what you have as best you can with one of them, and then proceed.

Apart from all that, the first question is -- have you polarized the generator? With the motor stopped, all it takes is a quick flash of a jumper wire between the Bat and Gen terminals on the regulator which should get you just a bit of a spark, nothing like a flash or arc, at the first touch.
BobMs diagrams

Fred,
Double check that the regulator base/case is grounded to the mounting bolts on the tractor. Some SA regulators are rubber mounted with a very small braided wire to ground the base/case to the tractor. If that braid is broken or not under a mounting bolt, the regulator won't work.

Yes, the terminal on the backside goes to the Arm on the gen. BTDT

I cant say if its the "right" regulator or not without seeing it..

First off, some VR's are labeled for Pos OR Neg Ground while others may just say Pos or Neg, but if yours is labeled for EITHER OR POS it should still work REGARDLESS if the tractor originally used a 2 wire cutout relay and LHBD light switch charge controller or even a 3 terminal VR i.e. theres no harm (as long as VR polaitrty will work) in UPGRADING from either a 3 terminal VR (NO LOAD terminal) or a 2 wire Cutout Relay that used the LHBD light switch.

NEXT, if you originally used the LHBD light switch but now upgraded to a VR THE WIRE FROM THE GENNYS FLD TO LHBD IS NO LONGER USED NOR IS ANY CHARGE RESISTOR ON LIGHT SWITCH USED. The VR's FLD terminal wires to the Gennys FLD post.

YES the gennys ARM post wires to that ARM/GEN on the VR (even if not labeled) which is the 4 th terminal NOT located next to the BAT LOAD and FLD terminals.

YES the VR BAT wires to the LOAD (NOT battery/starter side of ammeter)

NOTE......Did you polarize the genny BEFORE start up????????? If not and it (genny) was opposite of your battery polarity YOU CAN DAMAGE THE NEW VR

I would insure the VR is suitable for Pos ground (or Pos & Neg labeled is okay),,,,,,,,,POLARIZE the genny,,,,,,start it n see what happens

Are you using the VR LOAD terminal?? its supposed to send hot batetry voltage to loads like lights n ignition (the BAT input terminal on the switches) versus them being fed off the ammeters Load terminal like on 3 wire VR's or the cutout relay system but if it isnt used that shouldnt stop genny from charging

Run my Para 5 test below to see if non charging is a genny or a VR problem.......INSURE THE VR HAS A GOOD GROUND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!If not it wont work right !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John T
John Ts Non Charging Troubleshooting

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the good input! I am suspect of the ground on my voltage regulator so I going to go jump it to ground and see what happens.

I rebuilt the generator and hooked the brushes back up the way they were. Does it matter which brush goes to the arm and which to the field?

Thanks again,

Fred

If its a 2 brush genny, the one hooks to the ARM post (Field lead also connects there) but the other is grounded. If its a 3 brush genny, the one direct across from the grounded brush hooks to the ARM post while the 3rd adjustable brush (close to ARM brush) wires to the Field coils

John T

Hi,

Thanks again for the quick input guys! I did find the armature wire hooked to the wrong brush and some insulation off of it. I have taken care of those items and I am going to run an extra ground from the regulator to the battery ground. I am hopeful that will sort the problem.

If I ground the field will I be able to measure 7 volts from armature lug and ground?

Thanks,

Fred