generator question

joe201

Member
What should the battery voltage be if generator is charging correctly on 3 cyl ford. Also how do you polarize voltage regulator?
Thanks for your help Joe
 
Battery voltage should be high 13s or low 14s. If it goes above 12.6, but doesn't rise to at least the high 13s, then you likely simply need a regulator adjustment.

You don't polarize the regulator, you polarize the generator. Easiest way I've found is to take a jumper wire and connect one end to battery hot, and flash the other end to the "F" terminal on the generator. If you see spark, you're good to go.
 
Polarizing the generator can be done on the VR, but it matters if it is an 'A' Circuit design or a 'B' Circuit design. I'm more familiar with the earlier Ford N-Series Tractors -6V/POS GND up thru the Hundred Series. I know there were some 12V generators made, but wouldn't a 3-cyl model with a 12V battery use an alternator? If so then there is no VR in the circuit and thus no polarizing anything. I don't think your charging issue, if that is what you have, is due to polarizing the genny. Incorrect wiring is usually the #1 culprit. Battery must good and strong, capable of sustain a charge under load. It doesn't matter if it is 6V or 12V. The specific gravity of each cell must be in range to be effective. A hydrometer will test the cells or your local starter/alternator/generator shop can test on their equipment. They can also test your VR and genny as well. When tractor is running, not at idle but actually running at say 2/3 throttle, what does the ammeter show as a charge? Here is a diagram on polarizing an N-Series VR, but if you don't know which circuit you have, you'd better find out BEFORE you try. If done wrong you will let the smoke out of the VR.

POLARIZING THE GENERATOR VIA THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR:
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-diagram courtesy of JMOR

Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)
 

Tim,
From 65-75 Ford used a 12v generator with Vreg.
Then in 76 with the new X600 tractors they went to a 12v alternator with external, solid state Vreg.
Except for dealing with the tach drive on the back of the 65-75 generators those are VERY simple to convert to a 10-SI with the existing wiring harness.
Depending on the year of your engine the tach drive can easily be switched to the X600 style tach drive and newer left hand tach.
 

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