Did I letthe smoke out of the alternator

old · Jan 26, 2020

So I stated up the IH584 to do a bit of driveway work. The charge wire from the alternator some how shorted out and burned in to. Just a fast spark that burned the wire in half. This tractor has almost no wiring on it. One wire to start it, a wire going form the alternator change stud to the battery and then a wire you touch to the charge stud to excite the alternator. Alternator still has a magnet effect but I have not checked voltage across the battery when running yet

jeffcat · Jan 26, 2020

You might get lucky but......

.

old · Jan 26, 2020

That is what I am thinking but either way it has a life time warranty on it. LOL

Geo-TH,In · Jan 26, 2020

Old,
When I rewired Jubilee the alternator wire was 10g. So I installed a 30 amp breaker. Some on YT said the breaker was a bad idea.
That was about 10 years ago. Never had first problem. No smoke to report.

I install fuses in lights and ignition circuits too.
Haven't blown a fuse either.
George

old · Jan 26, 2020

This tractor is so striped of every thing it doesn't even have a dash or gauges of any type. Not even sure how of why the wire did what it did. Wire runs from the battery + post to the alternator and is pretty much a straight run but was laying on the loader frame where it sparked. Has no switches of any type on it. One wire from the solenoid to where ever I want to get power and the charge wire and the excite wire I have to touch to excite the alternator after I get it running.

David G · Jan 26, 2020

I would guess it is OK.

Most of the amps to burn it came from battery.

Traditional Farmer · Jan 26, 2020

Pays to fuse the line coming off the alternator to the battery,just get one of those plug in fuse holders with with the wires on each end.Then two wire nuts and you're protected.

PJH · Jan 26, 2020

I had the charge wire on a Delco alternator get against the exhaust manifold and short out. My first notice of trouble was when I glanced at the ammeter and the needle was pointing to 9 o'clock. I had never seen an ammeter show that much discharge. Then I saw the flames. I cut wires and got the fire out, rewired it in the hayfield and the alternator worked perfectly. That was probably ten years ago, and still going.

Bob · Jan 26, 2020

(quoted from post at 19:18:46 01/26/20) Pays to fuse the line coming off the alternator to the battery,just get one of those plug in fuse holders with with the wires on each end.Then two wire nuts and you're protected.

Trad, that sounds like a good idea, but you are a little short on details.

How about a photo of how you've done this, complete with some part numbers?

old · Jan 26, 2020

Very simple wiring. Alternator 10SI, charge wire shorted out so simple A CAVE could do it almost

SVcummins · Jan 26, 2020

Could?ve let the smoke out of the diodes but as long as you didn?t run it to long it should be fine

Traditional Farmer · Jan 27, 2020

Kidding right? Generic wire with standard China fuse holder part number BR-549.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 27, 2020

Old,
Who converted my Jubilee to 12v had no clue how to wire ammeter. So I wired it in.
I used a diode that bypasses ballast resistor when I hit starter button.

The other end of wire goes to starter.

Best thing I ever did was to replace 6v starter with 12v.

Bob · Jan 27, 2020

(quoted from post at 07:20:58 01/27/20) Kidding right? Generic wire with standard China fuse holder part number BR-549.

NOT kidding, was wondering what type of fuseholder you recommend for the 50 to 100 Amps or more the typical common alternator is capable of outputting.

Using a fuse that may falsely blow when the alternator is simply working hard is NOT a good idea, and may "kill" the alternator if that happens.

Would be best to use a fuse or fusible link LARGE enough to only blow from a dead short.

And typical simple, common, CHEAP in-line fuseholders aren't heavy-duty enough for that.

Am I being clear now?

Traditional Farmer · Jan 27, 2020

you ever tried one?

Thomasthetankengine · Jan 27, 2020

No worry. Smoke is replaceable.

JMOR · Jan 27, 2020

(quoted from post at 01:18:34 01/27/20) Very simple wiring. Alternator 10SI, charge wire shorted out so simple A CAVE could do it almost

ot up to caveman standards would be the only reason you are here then! :twisted: :lol: :roll:

Bob · Jan 27, 2020

Trad, SO sorry to have asked you for more details on your expert post.

Upon reading it again, I see you suggested using wirenuts on tractor wiring, that, by itself, puts you in the unapproachable tractor wiring GURU/expert status, and I can clearly see I was WAY out of line asking for more details on the fuseholder you suggested.

Can you EVER accept may humble apology?

Bret4207 · Jan 28, 2020

Only way to tell is to see if it charges properly. IME, all it takes is a loose battery terminal or wire to smoke and alt. But, I can fix it for about $10.00, so it's not a big cost.

Did I letthe smoke out of the alternator

old

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old

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