Stumped on H 6 volt positive ground

I have been trying to solve a charging problem for weeks and have read and compared my system to the extensive and informative diagrams posted on this forum. I have a 6 volt positive ground with all new parts i.e. generator (3 brush set up),VR (4 post, light switch (IH new style according to my IH dealer) and wire harness. The problem is I cannot get it to charge unless I crank the tractor and then polarize while running. As soon as turn off the tractor it will not charge again unless I start the engine again and polarize the VR again while engine is running. As you can imagine with all new parts this is really frustrating. Any advice would be appreciated!

Polarize the system with the engine shut off.

I attempted this on mutilple occassions and cannot get the contacts to close on the VR. The contacts will close only if polarized with the tractor running. I feel like the problem is associated with the 3 brush generator but the IH dealer assures me this is correct for the tractor. I should mention I bought all the parts from IH. The first generator the dealer sold me was bad from IH out of the box. They replaced at no charge but it still will not charge unless I polarize as I describe in my orginal post. Other thoughts/suggestions?? Thanks for your help!!!

Do you have a voltmeter? Have you checked the generator voltage when it is running? Your third brush may need to be adjusted.

I do have a volt meter. It is charging about 8.6 volts running. How do you adjust the 3rd brush??

Polarize before running. You need to check the voltage at the armature terminal with engine running. If you have less than 6.6 volts it will not close the cut out relay which connects the battery to generator. In that case, ground the field terminal of generator, this will by pass the regulator section and allow for full uncontrolled charge. If it still does not build voltage you have generator problems. If it is over 6.6 volts, and the relay does not close it needs to be adjusted to lower the closing voltage. The set of points that are open when engine is shut off is the cut out and the set of points that are closed is the regulator part of the system. You adjust closing voltage depending on model of regulator. Most have to bend the spring arm, some have a screw. Caution, not a good idea to allow points to close when you are making this adjustment as arcing will occur and damage the points so disconnect wire on batt terminal of regulator. Also, when making any adjustments always make sure they reopen immediately when engine shuts down. You may have to adjust the third brush but it may not be adjustable and it is also supposed to be adjusted to control the maximum charge rate and not closing voltage of the cut out. Remember, two units, one is regulator, one is cut out, both under same cover.. Totally different functions. It is not uncommon, with
today's rebuilt generators in particular, for the brushs to make poor contact thus poor start up performance. When you zap it while running it wakes up those connections and it may work until shut down. Usually caused by high mica on the commutator.

Thanks Pete. I will take your advise and try it again. Sounds like a logical explaination to my problem. I will update you as soon as I get back to the shop this afternoon.

Hey Pete, You are my hero! I just finished checking out the system as you advised. It turned out to be just as you suggested. The contacts needed to be adjusted to open and close at a lower voltage. My VR required bending the tab but with a little trial and error I got it charging like a charm. The generator kicks in on starting and the points open the circuit when I shut it down. Thanks for the help!

Is the regulator made for the three brush system as they do list two regs for those gens. Are you sure you have the wires on the correct terminals. Your new reg probaly doesent want the wire going to the lite sw. Just because you got a new reg doesent mean you have the rite one. The Delco # on your gen must be either 1101423 or 1101355 and originaly had a cut-out.

Loosen up the screw on the carb end and move the brush farther away from the fixed and the out-put voltage will be lower as 8.6 is a little high.

If you have a voltage regulator you should not need to adjust the third brush to adjust the voltage, only for maximum current output. The job of the voltage regulator is to regulate the voltage.

With the battery fully charged, if the charging voltage is not correct, the regulator needs to be adjusted not the generator. The later three brush generators did not have any provision for adjusting the third brush.