Author	[Modern View]
Tom Bond 12-30-2012 12:48:06 98.212.12.115 Report to Moderator	In service manual, it tells you to disconnect armature wire from generator and put a jumper between field terminal and armature terminal on generator. Then measure with 2 lead ammeter between armature wire terminal and armature terminal on generator. My question is, why can't I just use a DC clamp-on ammeter and measure current directly on on red armature wire with everything connected as normal? I tried and I get zero. Tractor starts with no issue so I know battery is charging but I'd like to just test generator to make sure it's putting out the recommended 20 amps @ 1500 rpm. [Reply]   [No Email]
Will Gumbert 12-30-2012 14:08:56 71.176.180.189 Report to Moderator	Re: Generator Output Test in reply to Tom Bond, 12-30-2012 12:48:06   Tom- You didn't say if this is a 6V or 12V system and if the tractor is gas or diesel. Really, you are testing the charging system as a whole, including the regulator and there needs to be some load on it, besides charging the battery. If the battery is nearly new there won't be much charging current. Some current is used for the ignition system if it is a gas engine. You could turn on the headlights, normally about 5A if 12V and 10A if 6V. The best test is to look at voltage after starting and when accessories are on, etc. Voltage should be about 6.5V or 13V respectively at about 1000rpm. If so, with accessories on, then all is OK. -Will   [Reply]  [No Email]
JMOR 12-30-2012 13:56:00 72.181.173.171 Report to Moderator	Re: Generator Output Test in reply to Tom Bond, 12-30-2012 12:48:06   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to seeBecause, "as is" means that the regulator is controlling the amount of charge & if battery is full up, it needs no charge, reg commands gen to provide no charge. Their recommended arrangement commands gen to provide full output. From the description, it appears that you have a post 1952 (8N) tractor?   [Reply]  [No Email]
Tom Bond 12-30-2012 14:06:47 98.212.12.115 Report to Moderator	Re: Generator Output Test in reply to JMOR, 12-30-2012 13:56:00   Ahhh.....Makes perfect sense. I do keep it on a 6V battery maintainer to keep charge at full. I'll have to find a different ammeter. My 2 lead is only good to 10 amps.. Tractor is a '58 861. Thanks for your help.....   [Reply]  [No Email]
JMOR 12-30-2012 14:12:47 72.181.173.171 Report to Moderator	Re: Generator Output Test in reply to Tom Bond, 12-30-2012 14:06:47   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to seeTom, your clamp on DC ammeter would still be just fine. It is the Armature to Field jumper that commands full output.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Tom Bond 12-30-2012 18:00:39 98.212.12.115 Report to Moderator	Re: Generator Output Test in reply to JMOR, 12-30-2012 14:12:47   Just want to be sure before I try. Leave all connections wired "as is" and then jumper the armature and field terminals on generator to command for full load? Then use my DC clamp on red armature wire to measure current going to voltage regulator? Will also check voltage going to battery when running as mentioned in previous reply.   [Reply]  [No Email]
JMOR 12-30-2012 18:03:47 72.181.173.171 Report to Moderator	Re: Generator Output Test in reply to Tom Bond, 12-30-2012 18:00:39   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to seeyou got it right.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Tom Bond 12-30-2012 18:00:17 98.212.12.115 Report to Moderator	Re: Generator Output Test in reply to JMOR, 12-30-2012 14:12:47   Just want to be sure before I try. Leave all connections wired "as is" and then jumper the armature and field terminals on generator to command for full load? Then use my DC clamp on red armature wire to measure current going to voltage regulator? Will also check voltage going to battery when running as mentioned in previous reply.   [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 12-31-2012 15:08:46 107.41.27.30 Report to Moderator	Re: Generator Output Test in reply to Tom Bond, 12-30-2012 18:00:17   full field her and check amps and volts...   [Reply]  [No Email]