Boosting Positive Ground

Tom

As far as what may be messed up I doubt the Generator was harmed, it can charge at EITHER polarity. However, the Voltage Regulator might possible have a problem depending on its type. This assumes its a Generator NOT an alternator as one of those could have suffered damage.

Just to be safe, once the battery is charged and is okay I would re polarize the Generator then see what happens. If shes still not charging, try to temporarily dead ground the Gens Field post to case n see if she charges then. If so but NOT otherwise, either the VR is at fault (a relay may be stuck or burned) or the VR isnt well grounded or the wires open from the Gens Field post to the VR's FLD termnal. If she still dont charge with the Field post grounded, leave it grounded and by pass jump the VR's BAT and ARM (or GEN) terminals temporary together n see if she charges then. If so but NOT otherwise, the VR's cutout relay is at fault. if she fails to charge wiht the Field grounded and the VR's cutout relay by pass jumped, the VR is out of the equation and the Gen may be at fault.

Good Luck, let us all know

John T

Just remember this: ALWAYS connect + to +. And ALWAYS connect - to -.

In other words when connecting a charger, connect the + (red) lead to the battery postive post, and the - (black) to battery negative.

And when using jumper cables run the red cable from one battery + to the other battery +, etc. (But for safety when jumpering make sure the two vehicle frames are NOT touching before making any connections!)

To your generator not charging problem a couple possiblities:

1 - The battery may become partially reverse charged when you connected the charger wrong. No now the electrical system cannot charge it. Best solution is to toss the battery and start over with a fresh one. (And if the tractor has a generator, repolarize the generator after installing the new battery.)

2 - If your 3020 has an alternator you may have blown out the alternator and/or regulator when you connected the charger backward. They may need to be replaced.