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Rich in Ont. 10-07-2012 06:55:22 70.51.74.154 Report to Moderator	Recently I changed the thermostat on my 1440 combine and had to remove the alternator to do so. After I reassembled everything and the thermostat worked fine and the alternator is charging, I am now having problems with the (new) batteries going near dead overnight. I happened to notice this morning that the alternator is warm (not hot) to the touch. My question is, have I hooked the small wires up incorrectly? There are 3 wires coming out of the harness although for as long as I have owned the combine, only 2 of them were ever connected to the alternator although there are 3 terminals on the alternator. One of the small wires going into the alternator is constantly live and even with the key off produces a small spark when connected. Please note that I am not refering to the larger battery wire coming out of the alternator, but the lighter ones that are usually in a plug. The plastic plug is long gone and now the wires are indivdual. I believe it is a Delco alternator. Thanks in advance for the help.......Rich. [Reply]   [No Email]
Rich in Ont. 10-07-2012 14:59:52 64.231.114.62 Report to Moderator	Re: 1440 Combine Alternator in reply to Rich in Ont., 10-07-2012 06:55:22   Thanks to everyone for your help. I did indeed have the two wires hooked backward. I guess a 3 dollar plastic plug is a small price to pay to prevent a combine/barn fire. Thanks again...Rich [Reply]  [No Email]
Jon hagen 10-07-2012 10:06:08 69.26.17.61 Report to Moderator	Re: 1440 Combine Alternator in reply to Rich in Ont., 10-07-2012 06:55:22   " One of the small wires going into the alternator is constantly live and even with the key off produces a small spark when connected. Please note that I am not refering to the larger battery wire coming out of the alternator, but the lighter ones that are usually in a plug. The plastic plug is long gone and now the wires are indivdual. I believe it is a Delco alternator. Thanks in advance for the help.......Rich." That combine came with a Delco 10SI alternator originally. You state the plug is long gone and the always hot wire makes a small spark when connected. looking at the rear of the alternator case where the small wires plug in, you will see the case marked #1 on the left, #2 on the right. The wire that is hot all the time goes on the right hand # 2 terminal and the other which is hot only when the ignition switch is on, goes to the left #1 terminal. I would say you have those wires switched which keeps the alternator field active all the time. This puts a constant 3 amp drain on the battery. causing the dead battery and warm alternator. Please go to your local auto parts store and get a Delco alternator harness repair plug.(80 chevy) You will get a new plug with short pigtail wires and crimp splices to attach it.(about $3) This will keep the wires installed correctly and prevent a very real electrical fire danger. Without that plastic plug, the # 2 sense wire, which is always hot with full battery power and unfused, need only be bent about 1/8 inch to short to the alternator case and almost instantly burn up that # 2 wire. [Reply]  [No Email]
Janicholson 10-07-2012 08:06:32 96.24.99.126 Report to Moderator	Re: 1440 Combine Alternator in reply to Rich in Ont., 10-07-2012 06:55:22   If it is a Delcotron with an external VR, the wiring is shown below. For now, remove the sparking connection. If it is a 10SI Alt, with edge mounted small terminals, the # 2 terminal should be hot all the time, and the #1 terminal should go to the idiot light. Jim [Reply]  [No Email]
El Toro 10-07-2012 07:21:27 108.3.143.30 Report to Moderator	Re: 1440 Combine Alternator in reply to Rich in Ont., 10-07-2012 06:55:22   You should take some pictures of that alternator showing the wires and post them. For now I would disconnect the battery ground cable so the battery isn't drained. Hal [Reply]  [No Email]