With the help of folks on the forum I've been able to rewire my Farmall H light box. After cleaning them up I found that both the switch and ammeter still work. When I turn on the lights (engine off) the ammeter shows the load however the neele points to the right. Is this correct or have I reversed the wires on the ammeter. I'd like to make sure ammeter is right before I fire it up. I'm relying on the ammeter to help me determine if the generator is working. Thanks
- Thread starter VFMerc
- Start date
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
You need to reverse the wires on the ammeter. The guage should deflect to the left, indicating a discharge.
Will do. Once I've got it deflecting to the left (lights on, engine off)
1. Should I expect to see the needle deflect to the right of "0" when the engine is running if the generator is "charging" a depleted battery?
2. Would you recommend running with the switch in the "low" charge position?
Vfmerc
1. Should I expect to see the needle deflect to the right of "0" when the engine is running if the generator is "charging" a depleted battery?
2. Would you recommend running with the switch in the "low" charge position?
Vfmerc
Will do. Once I've got it deflecting to the left (lights on, engine off)
1. Should I expect to see the needle deflect to the right of "0" when the engine is running if the generator is "charging" a depleted battery?
2. Would you recommend running with the switch in the "low" charge position?
Vfmerc
1. Should I expect to see the needle deflect to the right of "0" when the engine is running if the generator is "charging" a depleted battery?
2. Would you recommend running with the switch in the "low" charge position?
Vfmerc
Bob M
Well-known Member
1 - Yes! A properly wired ammeter deflecting to the right of 0 indicates the battery is being charged. The greater the deflection the higher the charge rate.
2 - It depends. If you are starting/running the tractor for only short periods (5 - 10 minutes), or running mostly at low RPMs, set the switch to "high" to keep the battery up.
However if you're running at governed RPM for extended periods set the switch to "low". Otherwise you'll overcharge the battery and shorten its life. (A nearly new battery exploded on my Minnie-Mo last winter when the operator (not me!) inadvertantly knocked the charge switch to "high" then ran the tractor at speed for a couple hours.)
----
Tip: Unless you are a stickler for originality, a better approach is to replace the cutout with a voltage regulator and dispense with the manual charge control.
A VR does a MUCH better job maintaining a proper charge rate. This keeps the battery more fully charged and eliminates the risk of overcharging.
2 - It depends. If you are starting/running the tractor for only short periods (5 - 10 minutes), or running mostly at low RPMs, set the switch to "high" to keep the battery up.
However if you're running at governed RPM for extended periods set the switch to "low". Otherwise you'll overcharge the battery and shorten its life. (A nearly new battery exploded on my Minnie-Mo last winter when the operator (not me!) inadvertantly knocked the charge switch to "high" then ran the tractor at speed for a couple hours.)
----
Tip: Unless you are a stickler for originality, a better approach is to replace the cutout with a voltage regulator and dispense with the manual charge control.
A VR does a MUCH better job maintaining a proper charge rate. This keeps the battery more fully charged and eliminates the risk of overcharging.
Janicholson
Well-known Member
With this system set on Positive ground (positive Battery wire grounded to frame) the system should show needle to left with lights on, and engine off. If it is going the opposite way, either the battery is in wrong, or the wires are backwards. I would recommend checking that befor going forward with starting. Then polarize the gen before starting. On the regulator, with it set to high charge position on the light switch, engine off, jump from the Bat terminal to tha GEN terminal (could say ARM). JimN
Great information. I guess I should have said that I'm working my way through returning the tractor to operating shape. The prior owner replaced the original generator with a rebuilt 6 volt gen and replaced the cutout with a replacement magic brown box so I guess it's a VR. The mbb has 3 terminals on the outboard side from rear to front L-BAT-F, with GEN under. The replacement gen and vr were placed on the tractor some time ago but never wired. The tractor wasn't run much so I don't know if the GEN is operating. With the info the folks have provided here, I should know this evening. Much thanks.
NawlensGator
Member
Starboard side = charging.
Port side = discharging.
Port side = discharging.
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