one wire alternator help

Dodgeit · May 11, 2013

Bought one from Brillman for my Case. It puts out 30+ volts according to the volt meter on the tractor. What can I do to get that under control. I remember checking with the hand held volt meter that it puts out 14 volts. I don't understand why the hand held says 14 volts and the one on the tractor is pegged at 30.

Thanks for the help

Indiana Ken · May 11, 2013

The first thing I would do is find out which volt meter is telling you the truth. 30 volts will over charge the battery and burn out your lights etc. You can test using a 12 volt tail light or brake light bulb and connect it across the battery terminals. Note the brightness of the bulb, then start the tractor and again note the brightness of the bulb. If the alternator is charging at 14 volts the bulb will be brighter with the engine running. If the alternator is charging at 30 volts the bulb will be very bright and most likely burn out immediately.

Sidekick · May 11, 2013

Are you sure the gauge on the tractor is measuring volts and not something else like your charging amps. Because there is no way you have 30 volts running through your system and nothing has burned up or blown a fuse.

Dodgeit · May 11, 2013

(quoted from post at 20:53:56 05/11/13) Are you sure the gauge on the tractor is measuring volts and not something else like your charging amps. Because there is no way you have 30 volts running through your system and nothing has burned up or blown a fuse.

Ok maybe I confusing one with the other. Would 30 amps be excessive?

David G · May 11, 2013

30 amps would be about right.

Does the gauge have - on the left, and + on the right, if so it is am amp gauge.

Janicholson · May 11, 2013

Amps are the quantity, volta are the pressure. As indicated above, if the meter is centered when off, goes left when the lights are on, engine off, and right when the engine is running, it is good to go. it will reduce the rate as the battery charges up. If you leave the tractor for more than 2 weeks without running it, I would pull the battery cable off, as those one wire systems can draw small current when not running. Jim

ben there · May 11, 2013

30 amps is ok if battery is low or you had trouble starting tractor...it should start coming down within a minute or 2.

Dodgeit · May 11, 2013

(quoted from post at 21:57:34 05/11/13) 30 amps is ok if battery is low or you had trouble starting tractor...it should start coming down within a minute or 2.

It don't make any difference how long it runs, it stays pegged.

Janicholson · May 11, 2013

If it stays pegged, it needs to be checked across the battery for voltage when running at 3/4 throttle. voltage above 14.7 is very suspect. # wire systems are the better way to go. SImple and no bat drain. Bob M diagrams show the way for a IH system others are no different. Jim

Dodgeit · May 12, 2013

(quoted from post at 22:13:26 05/11/13) If it stays pegged, it needs to be checked across the battery for voltage when running at 3/4 throttle. voltage above 14.7 is very suspect. # wire systems are the better way to go. SImple and no bat drain. Bob M diagrams show the way for a IH system others are no different. Jim

Do you have a link by chance to the diagram?

Janicholson · May 12, 2013

This will do it. The light bulb shown is in series with the lead from #1 terminal to the ignition source. It can be replaced with a 3 amp diode from radio shack (band and of diode toward the alternator), or a 10 ohm 10 watt resistor. If a bulb is used it needs to be a side marker light bulb or das lighting bulb, not a LED. Jim
Diagram 5

one wire alternator help

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