Relocating a troublesome voltage regulator

I got tired of removing the muffler, cap on the air intake, and the hood each time I had to access the VR so I built a bracket and bolted it to the gas tank support right over the bell housing (R side) and moved the VR so when the points need filed and cleaned or it doesn't show charge, it is easily accessable. I've done this on my H & M. I'm sure many other have done the same, but thought I would throw this out for any new Farmall owners.

you can cure this problem with a one wire alternator with an amp meter 60amps. regards. Ed.....it's not. "pure" but it works

have you thought about a new vreg, vs the old sticky one that sounds like it's had it's points filed down to a nub over the years?

Several versions of the Farmall letter series had the VR in that area, so it is certainly OK. There is a solid state VR that can be purchased to eliminate the hassle. I like the choice you made. Jim

(quoted from post at 01:59:51 01/04/12) There is a solid state VR that can be purchased to eliminate the hassle.

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I still see the solid state cutouts offered occasionally, but who still offers the electronic voltage regulators? Last I asked, JIMCO didn't have them anymore.

AG

Both VR's are just over a year old!! Points definitely not filed down--cannot fathom what is corroding them, certainly not high humidity or moisture.

Call me old-fashioned. I never considered solid state VR's. Thanks

Jim: See the previous reply. Thanks

Ed: I have a pair of one wire alternators so guess that will be the next step after my solution fails. Thanks.

imho.. cheap contact material from china that has contaminates init.. then self corodes, even with a lil atmospheric humidity.

seen it before..

This requires a bit of navigating, but they have the regulator. Jim
Aircraft solid state regulators

I'll bet you are right! I clean the points and have no problems if I use the tractors frequently, but if they are not run for a while --no charging. Thanks.

i've seen it in other switch electronics from china.

impurities in the manufacturing process shows up in the hard metal coating on the points and self corodes them.. -any- humidity at all greatly speeds it up.

frequent use keeps it knocked off.

I have a reg on a tractor like that. I don't file them, but clean them with stiff brown paper, and 'burnish' them

soundguy

This post is messed up in classic view. Sorry.

(quoted from post at 00:41:54 01/04/12) ...so I built a bracket and bolted it to the gas tank support right over the bell housing (R side) and moved the VR so when the points need filed and cleaned or it doesn't show charge, it is easily accessable...

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A great idea. You might find yourself tinkering with or changing these quite often, and if they're more accessible, that's always a plus.

Call me old-fashioned. I never considered solid state VR's.

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You might want to look into it, considering the quality of "conventional" regualtors today.

Both VR's are just over a year old!! Points definitely not filed down--cannot fathom what is corroding them, certainly not high humidity or moisture.

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Sadly, these are not made to last anymore. At least your's functioned for awhile. Some places won't even guarantee them to not be D.O.A. out of the box. Buy three like ones from the same source once and open them up. No two will have the points adjusted the same. Many have no provision for adjustment. If you could adjust them, where should a person set the contacts when one universal regulator now replaces about fifty applications?

I have a pair of one wire alternators so guess that will be the next step after my solution fails.

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So much for being "old-fashioned". Just kidding. There's a reason single wire alternators are so popular. They're on the shelf at any auto parts store, and wiring is simple. Quick local turnaround on generator repair isn't always available and finding a quality voltage regulator isn't easy, either.

I was told that originally voltage regulators and cutouts used to be for certain ploarities only, and the contact material on the points would be reversed depending on which polarity they were set up for. The contacts would need service less often because of this. I don't know if this is B.S. or not, but every one I see today is listed as being for either pos. or neg. ground, and originally they were not. I'm sure without a doubt that quality has declined in these as time has passed.

Anyone know where you can buy a "spoon file" anymore?


AG

Just a thought - next time you buy something that has packs of silica gel in it, save them and stick them in your voltage regulator. If moisture is the problem, might prevent it.