Hooked up battery wrong - now what?

[1suffolkmare]

Hmm. Well I'm hoping didn't kill the alternator but it sounds very likely that I did. I plan on taking it off and getting it tested.
Questions:
Any change the voltage regulator may have saved the alternator?
Can I use a standard alternator at a local auto parts store?
I did notice when I used the tractor this spring to mow that it ran pretty well except the carb seemed a bit rich. I was on my way back to the barn and it actually cut off. I attributed that to an operator error at the time but I'm thinking now that may the alternator was on its way out. The battery didn't want to restart the tractor which is strange. I had run the tractor for a couple hours so even if it was a little low it should have recharged while I was running it. ( Interstate battery that was 13 months old). That's why I returned the battery to start with. I did recharge it but it didn't seem to want to hold a charge when I went to use it after a few days.
What do yall think?
I plan on ordering the replacement harnesses from Hamilton Bob. If it's most likely that I will need an alternator too, I'd might as well have that part on hand too. I can't test anything else with the wiring all jacked up. What would you replace to be safe?

[outdoors4evr]

Don't replace good parts! However, it should be pretty obvious if the alternator is functioning. When running, a good alternator puts out 14+ volts.
The voltage regulator is inside the alternator.
Can you use a regular alternator? Yes, but I don't see why you wouldn't purchase the correct one. The "right" one isn't more expensive than the "wrong" one.

Note: the alternator won't start charging until the RPM's are above roughly 1000 RPM. This gives the engine a chance to warm up at an idle for a bit without an alternator load.

[Eugene]

Big conflict. Alternator; 12 volts, negative ground, 62 amps. Battery connected 12 volts positive ground. Battery capable of putting out 200 amps (or over) for a short length of time. Battery is going to win.

New alternator, install a single wire 12 volt. Local auto parts store, not that expensive. Take in old one for the core.

Single wire alternator will make rewiring the tractor much simpler.

[1suffolkmare]

My mistake. I meant the resistor for the alternator. I was under the misunderstanding that it may somehow protect the alternator from too much power. I'm just learning this stuff through trial and (mostly) error!

[Eugene]

Ref. My wiring diagram for the 185 shows a starter/generator, not a starter.

But, the wiring diagram shows two fuses. One fuse is for the lights and the other fuse is for the electric PTO. Neither fuse would protect the alternator.

Found a wiring diagram for the 185 with cranking motor. Fuse information is the same as above.

[1suffolkmare]

I have the 184 made in 1980. Don't know if that changes anything.

[Eugene]

I have the 184 made in 1980. Don't know if that changes anything.

Nothing changes.

[outdoors4evr]

Date doesn't mean anything, but the model sure does! I think you mentioned early on that this tractor is a 184.

The 184 has a separate alternator from the starter.
The 185 has a combination Starter-Generator.

[Eugene]

My GSS-1408, dated Sept 1977, only shows a starter/generator in with wiring diagrams for the 184. Do have a separate photocopy sheet, from some place, that shows the alternator in the wiring diagrams.