6 volt system

Is it normal for a 6 volt system thats positive ground to stay near zero or center of the gauge, when running? Everything is new or tested as being good.

I assume you're asking about the ammeter? No, usually a 6V system will show a fair amount of amperage, as long as you have a 20 or 30 amp gauge, and not a 60 amp one. It doesn't make any difference whether it's pos or neg ground.
My one machine with a 6V regulated system shows about 15 amps on start up.
Is your system regulated, or controlled manually with a hi/lo switch?

Yes a super A with factory ammeter. Voltage regulator is new and generator tested great at a shop. All wiring new and correct as I understand the system. Just wanting to know if its charging battery correctly.I was told it can discharge.

If you torn on the lights and it stays centered, all is well. Charging voltage about 7 to 7.3 is great. Jim

Here's my take; the battery has two primary purposes on initial startup, to provide reserve cranking power and provide voltage for ignition spark. Once the engine is running then the generator' s purpose is to recharge the battery and run the auxiliaries on the tractor, therefore, dependent upon battery state of discharge the amp meter should show a substantial positive amp flow. As battery charge is increased then the amp meter indication should decrease and continue to until the battery is fully charged. At this point the battery remains in standby power and the generator provides the power for the auxiliaries, which on a 6 volt system, other than providing ignition, is very limited and typically is lighting. Therefore once battery is fully charged then the generator ampere output is quite small unless the auxiliaries need is more than the generator can produce at which point the battery then contributes to carry the additional load. After auxiliary load is removed then the generator recharges the battery to a fully charged condition. This is why you see varing charging rates. As Bob stated 30 amp meter versus 60 amp meter will show a substantial difference in amp meter hand position only due to its calibration.

I am thinking you have a mag on that tractor and not battery ignition so running there should be no draw on the battery-generator so once the battery is fully charged from starting there is no place for the current to go so charge rate has to cut down to 0 otherwise it would be trying to overload the battery, I have no idea what that would do. Now if you have battery ingation then it would have to let in enough power to run.

Thanks guys! I just got this tractor and am making repairs and upgrades as I can. I just dont know much about those old systems. Battery is also new and charged. I was thinking maybe it only charges as needed like has been said. Lights currently need bulbs so not using them yet as far as a load. At some point planning to go 12v but might as well use whats there since its mostly new.

Absolutely. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. My one unit which is 6V works well, so I leave it. I've only ever purchased batteries for it. Just rewired it this winter. Wiring must have been 60-70 years old!

Indeed, if your battery is staying up, what the ammeter indicates is not a big issue. And, as stated, a voltmeter reading really tells the story.

Depends which side of the ammeter the lights and ignition is connected to.

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]a voltmeter reading really tells the story.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Agree.

update, I got a light to workand the ammeter says about 7-8 on the charge side. Left side is discharge and it goes to 20 max. But multimeter says 6.25 volts while running. So will have to see.

I doubt your generator is charging the battery if your voltmeter is correct. 6.25 is battery voltage, while it takes very near 7 volts to charge a 6V battery. Ideal charge voltage is about 7.1 volts.

Yeah thinking same thing. It checked out ok but im at a loss as to what else could be wrong. Unless the regulator is set wrong. Thanks tho.