400 Electrical Conversion - Not Happening Today

Absent Minded Farmer · Jul 8, 2009

Well, the inline diode is not letting any current pass. Yes, the band is toward the alt. & nothing. Not even any magic smoke! If I omit everything & just join the two wires together; I can start my tractor but it won't stop. Key off & the engine purrs away. I have to disconect the black wire to the resistor to stop the engine. I guess I'll have to try the idiot light technique. I'm washing up & going to bed. I hope to have better luck tomorrow. - Mike

Brownie 450 · Jul 9, 2009

Do you have an analog multi-meter with a Rx1 scale on the ohms? Check the diode with 1 lead disconnected. Read value---should be 30 to 40 ohms in one direction & infinity with the leads reversed. Sounds like your diode is shorted. Let us know.

Janicholson · Jul 9, 2009

The diode is toast. They can be when new, and can be a headache. A diode out of a old alternator will work as well, (they don't break). The only issue is they they usually don't say on them which way the polarity is facing. It should not conduct in the direction of the ignition, but should conduct toward the alternator. We can do it!!!!
Jim

Absent Minded Farmer · Jul 9, 2009

Just not my electronics. ;^) So, I was thinking, if I have to head into town for more parts, should I pull the alt & have it tested? Does it sound like it's working? I dont know what the previous owner may have done to this unit before I got it. Chances are, nothing. The cable on the big batt post was neatly tucked away & connected to nada. The rest of the harness was set up for 6v+. Exactly which diode do I need again? I'm going to Rad Shack. The 1N4001 50v-1a from the Super M conversion diagram is the diode I used. They came 2 per pack & neither did the trick. I seem to remember you bringing up a 3v diode on one of the last posts. Will I find said diode at Rad Shack? Does anyone make an analog multimeter, anymore? I could really use a multimeter around here, analog or otherwise. Hopefully I can get this pig running & down to the shop by this evening. I have a valvestem on a rear tire that's weeping CaCl2 on my floor! All this is being compounded by rain & storms due in the area tonight. Fer Pete's Sake!! Anyways, I thank you & everyone else for your help & patience with my tractor & self. - Mike

Brownie 450 · Jul 9, 2009

If they have a 1N4007, get those--they will not be that much more & are rated 1000 volts. You could possibly get voltage spikes in excess of 50 volts, so get the extra protection.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2009

Better late than never on this subject. I just knock an old diode bride apart from a delco alternator and make up a bunch of diodes to be used on various things like converting to an alternator. Trick is to solder a wire on each end of diode without destroying the diode. Put a little heat shrink tube on it. Cheap.

400 Electrical Conversion - Not Happening Today

Absent Minded Farmer

Well-known Member

Brownie 450

Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Absent Minded Farmer

Well-known Member

Brownie 450

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Similar threads