Generator to alternator

ridgelane · Sep 23, 2012

I'd like to change the generator to an alternator in my IH 3444 TLB. How is it done?

Zachary Hoyt · Sep 23, 2012

There are a set of Farmall wiring diagrams that have links in this forum, or you can google "bob m wiring diagrams" or something like that. I do not know about your specific tractor, but you'll need to determine how much room you have under the hood and what alternator to use. The Delco 10SI is cheap and readily available, there is also a Hitachi alt that is recommended by many folks that is a bit smaller.
Zach

David G · Sep 23, 2012

Zachary has it, the Delco and Hitachi are both good alternators. I would use the Hitachi if space is an issue.

The main items are change generator to alternator, remove voltage regulator, install ballast resistor or change coil to 12V, reverse wires on ammeter, change bulbs.

That is it.

Janicholson · Sep 23, 2012

www.external_link/ (Carter and Gruendwald) also provides diagrams for later tractors. The Hitachi wires the same as the Delco. The L terminal = terminal 1 on the delco. The S terminal = #2. My recommendation is to go with the diode suggested in the Bob M diagrams. Jim
Diagrams from Bob M

David G · Sep 23, 2012

Agree on the diode.

oldtanker · Sep 23, 2012

Rick

JimB2 · Sep 23, 2012

Hi, make sure the 3444 is -ve ground as most used alternators are -ve ground. We had a B414,434 and 384. The B414 and 434 we +ve ground with gen and 384 was -ve ground with alternator. Your 3444 belongs to same family and was the model made in between 434 and 384.
Check the markings on battery for + or - going to ground wire, also largest post on battery is +ve positive.

JimB

Jon Hagen · Sep 24, 2012

There is a good wiring diagram in the link below.

I perfer to use a gen light instead of a diode for a couple of reasons.
First the gen light serves as a current limiter and will only add about 1/4 amp exciter load to the ignition switch circuit, which is the most common exciter power connection point in old tractor alternator conversions.

The gen light only adds about 1/4 amp load to the ignition circuit, while a diode does not limit current and allows the alternator field to draw 3-4 amps, nearly doubling the load on the ignition circuit and can cause voltage drop induced weak spark / hard starting.

Also, the gen light serves as an indicator that 1 the alternator field circuit is working, 2 the alternator is charging , or 3 that you forgot to turn off the ignition and will run down your battery.

all in all a win win deal compared to using a diode.
Alternator conversion diagram.

mkirsch · Sep 25, 2012

3444 wiring is a little more complicated than a letter series, which is what most articles cover.

You first need to figure out what you need to do to make the alternator fit on the engine, and get the pulleys to line up. Sometimes it's pretty simple, flip over a bracket, add some spacers, etc.. Sometimes you need to fabricate a whole new bracket.

In a nutshell with the wiring, you need to bypass the voltage regulator, and wire up an excite circuit for the alternator.

We did a theoretical exercise on wiring a 400 here recently. I can't remember which wires we hooked where, though, to bypass the regulator without rewiring the whole tractor.

Generator to alternator

ridgelane

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Zachary Hoyt

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David G

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Janicholson

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David G

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oldtanker

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JimB2

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Jon Hagen

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mkirsch

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