I’ve pondered this myself. Took it so far as to discuss the feasibility of designing a solid-state voltage regulator with a couple different electrical engineers and circuit designers. Here’s what I learned:
1 - The cutout relay function can easily be replaced by a suitable diode. In fact the “solid state cutouts” sold to replace OEM style cutout relays are exactly that: A diode of the proper current and peak reverse voltage rating packaged inside a tin can or potted in epoxy. Only downside is a there's small voltage drop (about 1 volt or so) that occurs across the diode when current is flowing. Fortunately this is not really an issue for a generator/cutout system.
2 - The voltage and current regulation function is a bit more complicated. But it too can accomplished using an integrated circuit voltage regulator, a few resistors/capacitors and a power transistor. Problem is designing/testing a circuit robust enough to stand up to the transient voltage/current surges, temperature extremes, vibration, moisture, possible reverse polarity connection, stray currents from welding, etc. that must be endured by a regulator in tractor generator charging system service. Also the good regulator design would be so its failure doesn’t cause it - or another system component (generator) - and connecting wiring to overheat and start a fire. (Product liability!)
3 - Now factor in the relatively tiny market for a 6 volt, solid state voltage regulator.
Bottom line is recovering the development cost to design/build/test/sell a handful of regulators is probably simply not worth it. Otherwise someone would already have done it.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Picking Corn - by Rick Nikolich. It was the day before Christmas shutdown at work and I asked our lead engineering expert Scott Andrzejewski what he was going to do over the holidays. He said that he had some corn that he still needed to pick with an antique one-row New Idea corn picker. Scott has a nice farm about an hour north of Lansing in St. Johns, MI. He wanted to get the rest of his corn in by the next day (Christmas Eve). We had about an inch of new snow on the ground and single digit temperatures. So in the bac
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Sell 1958 Hi-Altitude Massey Fergerson tractor, original condition. three point hitch pto engine, Runs well, photos available upon request
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.