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Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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Jimbo
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May 7, 2007, 6:26 AM
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Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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Hi.I just replaced the Generator on my IH tractor,with an alternator.
Tractor is 12 V diesel,fitted with ammeter gauge & push button switch for glow plugs & push button for starter.Alternator has B+ & D+ terminals.Tractor has 2 headlights.It's a 1960s model...very basic.
Any ideas on wiring it all up to get charging system & lights working,are appreciated.
Regards...Jimbo.
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DanD
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May 8, 2007, 4:54 AM
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Re: Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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What year and type (manufacturer) of alternator are you using, is it internally or externally regulated?
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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Jimbo
Novice
May 8, 2007, 5:41 AM
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Re: Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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Hi Dan
It's an alternator from a car,with inbuilt regulator.Brand is Australian "INGRAM".
Any advice appreciated.
Jimbo
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DanD
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May 8, 2007, 3:17 PM
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Re: Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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Sorry I’ve never heard of an Ingram alternator before, but if I were to guess this is how I would make my first attempt at wiring it in.
You’ll need to get a switch and an inline fuse (30 amp?) but I think this should work as long as this “D+” terminal is to energize the field circuit.
As for the lighting a simple power feed through a different switch and fuse and you should be good to go.
Now remember I’m doing a lot of guessing here without seeing the way the tractor is wired now; so tread cautiously. LOL
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
(This post was edited by DanD on May 8, 2007, 8:19 PM)
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Jimbo
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May 8, 2007, 3:51 PM
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Re: Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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Thanks DAN,
I'll go with your diagram & see how it goes.I just wasn't sure of the relationship between the Ammeter,Battery & Alternator.
I assume the switch is activated before I start the tractor.??
Thanks for your advice,
Jimbo 
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DanD
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May 8, 2007, 8:16 PM
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The way I drew the diagram the charging system would be independent of anything else. You would have to turn the switch on to get the alternator to begin charging. Whether you turned it on before or after the engine were running wouldn’t make any difference. You would have to remember to turn it off though or after sitting for any length of time the alternators field circuit would drain the battery flat.
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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Jimbo
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May 9, 2007, 2:36 AM
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Re: Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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Thanks again Dan.I'll start on it on Friday.
Can you explain the role of the Ammeter.?I note that it has a POSITIVE & a NEGITIVE terminal,& my one was live on both sides when I tested it today.I also noted other switches wired to it (It's a diesel engine).
Thanks....Jimbo
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DanD
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May 9, 2007, 5:20 AM
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Re: Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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The ammeter is there to show the amount of current flow in any particular circuit.
Most ammeters (non-electronic) are wired in series to whatever device you wish to monitor the use of amps or in this case the production of amperage from the alternator. Well not really the production of current flow but it’s easier to explain that way.
As for having power at both + & - terminals, if the ammeter is wired the same as my diagram that’s normal.
All the power in a circuit that you wish to monitor must pass through the meter; for example you have battery positive connected to the negative meter terminal, then from the positive meter terminal to a light bulb from the light bulb to battery negative.
With everything connected the “power” (voltage) from the battery will flow (current) through the meter, through the light bulb to ground. Now if the bulb takes 2 amps of draw from the battery to light the bulb, the meter should show negative 2 amps current flow.
Connect the meter the same way to an alternator’s output (B+) terminal; with the engine running, turning the alternator the meter will show a positive current flow back to the battery (if everything is working as intended). The amount of current flow will depend on how fast the alternator is turning, the amperage the alternator can produce and what the regulator will allow the alternator to produce.
As for the switch(s) you say are connected to this meter I’m not sure, maybe for a light in the meter?
I wish I could see this somehow I would hate sending you in the wrong direction. I’m almost positive that my wiring diagram will work if we were starting from scratch but I don’t know how this tractor was originally wired and I might be setting you up for a smoke show????
Could you draw a diagram of this things wiring or maybe even a good set of pictures could help?
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
(This post was edited by DanD on May 9, 2007, 5:30 AM)
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Jimbo
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May 9, 2007, 3:47 PM
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Re: Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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Hi DAN,
That is an excellent description of the Ammeter....it has clarified a few concerns I had about it's function/s.
The tractor has glow plugs ,so it is quite old technology.The glow switch is connected to the Ammeter,which is understandable.
Wiring appears to be good & has certainly been functioning well to this point.
I have a friend who will check things over in a few days,just to ensure I did a good job.
One final question.....I have a multi-meter here,& wondered the best way to use it check the Alternator output/function.
Thanks again.
Jimbo 
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DanD
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May 10, 2007, 4:45 AM
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Re: Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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Most hand held multi meters only have a maximum 10 or 15 amp ammeter built into them so I wouldn’t try using it to test the alternators output. The alternator’s output would likely exceed the meter’s capabilities and burn it or its fuse out.
What I would do is have the meter set to DC voltage and take a battery voltage reading before you turn anything on or start the engine; 12 to 13 volts is considered a fully charged battery.
Start the engine and you should see a voltage increase of 2 to 3 volts but not exceed 15.5/15.8 volts after the engine has run for a few minutes.
Then turn on whatever electrical devices this thing has; except for the glow plugs, they should never be on while the engine is running. The battery voltage should still be above what your base reading was before you started the engine.
This doesn’t tell you what the alternator can produce but whatever it is producing is enough to keep the battery charged with the amount of load the tractor’s accessories are putting on the electrical system.
Remember that an alternator relies on how fast it spins; so check these voltages at different engine rpm. If you find that the battery is discharging at idle but fine at a higher rpm; you may need to change the alternator’s pulley for a smaller one, so that it’ll spin faster.
You have to post a picture of this tractor and your handy work; it would be interesting to see this old clunker. LOL
Dan.
I just reread my last sentence and I don’t mean any disrespect by calling the tractor an old clunker, it was meant in fun.
Canadian "EH"
(This post was edited by DanD on May 10, 2007, 4:51 AM)
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Jimbo
Novice
May 10, 2007, 3:38 PM
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Re: Wiring up a tractor...need advice.
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Hi DAN,
No offence taken. The "old clunker" is actually on ebay now ( type in...."international IH TD5").She's an old girl,but has a lot of life left in her,as she hasn't worked a lot.She's a rare WIDE-GAUGE version.
I wired her up,& everything ran OK,..but as I throttled the engine up,the ammeter went slightly to the NEG - reading.As it sat idling,ammeter was in the neutral zone,neither POS + or NEG-.
I'll try the voltage tests ,as you suggested ,& see how it goes.
I have a friend who will ensure it is OK on Sunday.
Thanks again DAN.
I've been enjoying reading your advice on this site.An excellent forum.
Jimbo
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