farmall M charging problems

boxchevyman · Dec 20, 2011

Hey all! I have a 45 farmall M that a converted to
12 volt about a year ago. I used a Delco Remy
10SI which I think is the recommended alternator.
I did not follow any wiring plan, I just ran one
wire from the BATT stud to one side of the amp
gauge. This set up worked for about 8 months, and
then all of sudden stop charging. I just now got
around to fixing it. The alternator has proper
ground but just is not putting out good voltage.
So I had O’Rileys check it and they said that the
alternator was good.

Moving forward I went to this site and I used the
wiring diagram by Bob Melvile. After getting all
the needed components and wiring it up the tractor
still will not charge. I get the same voltage out
of the alternator with the tractor on or off.
So I’m stumped I have been told the alternator is
good yet I can’t seem to get it to work. And the
alternator did work with only connecting one wire.
If any of you guys could tell me what would work
that would be awesome.

Thanks!

James

kenneth house · Dec 20, 2011

i have a C and it sat for a while and would not charge. local electric shop checked and alternator was o k. he said it had lost it's excitement. something like polarizing a generator fixed it. ?????

Janicholson · Dec 20, 2011

They do not need any polarization ever. (no offense to the other responder) Some times a connection, or the amp meter itself go bad. Make sure these are good and all connections clean. With the #2 terminal hooked to the BAT terminal on the alternator, start the tractor, then use jumper with a female spade terminal on it to jump from the #1 terminal to the Bat terminal (same place) Watch the charge (amp gauge, or better yet a needle style volt meter on the battery. If it does not charge, there are internal issues, or it is not grounded well. Jim

Jon Hagen · Dec 20, 2011

Check that the fan belt is tight enough to turn the water pump at full speed.
The water pump turns the generator / alternator,

I have run into several early IH "no charge" situations where the only trouble was a loose fan belt causing waterpump / fan to turn too slow for the generator / alternator to function.

Jon Hagen · Dec 20, 2011

kenneth house , You are partly correct, A "1 wire" 10SI alternator can lose it's residual magnetism which prevents charging. You do NOT polarize the alternator, you "field flash" it by momentarily jumpering the #1 regulator terminal to battery voltage, usually from the #2 regulator sense wire or BAT stud on the alternator rear.
I doubt that is the problem in this case, as the parts store testing the alternator should have flashed the field.

mike1972chev · Dec 20, 2011

Sorry guys,I am with Jim on this one. Polarizing an alternator is BS !!!!

If it has an Amp meter it is running thru,chances are IT is bad.

boxchevyman · Dec 21, 2011

Thanks for all the input guys! I went to NAPA and they tested the alternator bad. So maybe that was my issue. I do believe the amp meter worked because it would move when I would turn the lights on. I also believe that the water pump is ok but I will double check that when I put anew alternator on.

Thanks for all your help!

James

mkirsch · Dec 21, 2011

IMHO, the "tests" they do on generators, starters, and alternators at the auto parts store don't mean anything.

They are a waste of time. If you think it's the alternator, replace the alternator.

Frankly, I am not surprised that the alternator is bad, if you didn't have it wired up correctly to begin with.

farmall M charging problems

boxchevyman

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kenneth house

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