Generator not charging

[cdahl383]

I've noticed the last couple times I got my tractor out that the generator isn't charging the battery. It's a 1949 Cub with magneto ignition (I believe that model has the cut out relay vs the voltage regulator on later models). It was acting up a little back in the summer but I figured it was just the belt slipping. Now it doesn't want to charge at all. I thought it might have been the gauge, but when I turn the lights on it shows a discharge on the amp gauge.

I kind of suck with diagnosing electrical problems. Where should I start? Hoping it's just something simple like a bad ground or something.

It's odd because when I flip the switch from L to H I can hear the engine pull down a little like before when it was charging, but nothing shows on the gauge. I also noticed the switch itself gets kind of warm (the dial part you turn, etc). The battery still starts the tractor fine, but eventually I'll have to charge it with my battery charger.

Any help is appreciated!

[tst]

flow chart

[cdahl383]

flow chart

Cool! Thanks man! I’ll try this out over the weekend.

I already tried the first step just to see if the gauge was acting up. It shows discharge with the lights on. Do the gauge is good. Will have to try the rest of the list.

[NJ Farmer]

Make sure your connections are clean and corrosion free. I also like to but Dow Corning 4 dielectric grease on ALL electric connections including battery terminals. Make sure your voltage regulator is properly grounded ie the regulator base has a clean paint free connection to the metal mounting base. Everything on generator system depends on good grounds. Finally with the battery switch turned on you need to “flash the field” of the generator by briefly taking a jumper lead to the “A” or armature lug on the generator and the battery lug on the regulator to get a quick spark.
DO NOT TOUCH THE “F” lug on the generator to the battery this will damage the voltage regulator.

See Farmall Cub service manual for pictures of the location of the generator lugs and voltage regulator lugs.

NJ Farmer

[CharlieK]

"make sure your connections are corrosion free"


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ a must

[cdahl383]

Thanks! Yeah some of those wires look pretty sketchy under there. I'm sure they have some corrosion on them. I had the same problem with the battery cables when I first got the tractor. The cables were too small and all the contacts were dirty with corrosion on them. After cleaning everything up and getting some new heavy cables it fires right up with the 6V battery.

[NJ Farmer]

See if you can find IH Blue Ribbon Service Manual GSS-1012 Electrical Equipment…..it details all specs and settings for regulator and cutout adjustments. For the “generator purists” like myself it is the IH Bible of Electrical Systems.

Nj Farmer

[Dale Finch]

See if you can find IH Blue Ribbon Service Manual GSS-1012 Electrical Equipment…..it details all specs and settings for regulator and cutout adjustments. For the “generator purists” like myself it is the IH Bible of Electrical Systems.

Nj Farmer

This one...?
https://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/Blue%20Ribbon%20Service%20Manuals/GSS-1012%20Electrical%20Equipment/GSS-1012%20Electrical%20Equipment.htm
Or this one?
https://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/Blue%20Ribbon%20Service%20Manuals/GSS-1411%20Service%20Manual%20for%20Cubs%20and%20Lo-boy%20Tractors/Section%209%20-%20Electrical/Section%209%20-%20Electrical.htm
Or this one, maybe?
https://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/Blue%20Ribbon%20Service%20Manuals/GSS-1310%20Electrical/GSS-1310%20Electrical.htm