Ford 641 Charging Issue

   / Ford 641 Charging Issue #1  

MoBill

New member
Joined
Aug 29, 2018
Messages
18
Tractor
Ford 641
I have a 1958 Ford 641 with a charging problem. It still has the original 6 volt positive ground system and is still using a generator. I had a charging problem a while back that required me to jump the regulator to get the red dash light to go out and the generator to charge.

Mysteriously, the tractor started acting normally after a while. I could start it up, rev the throttle a little, 1600 RPM or so, and the light would go out as it's supposed to. The other day, I started it and as usual, revved it a bit and the light went out and appeared normal. After mowing for a little while, I noticed the red dash light back on. I disengaged the PTO and mower, put it in neutral and revved it like I usually do. The light flickered but stayed on until I revved it to 2500. The light went out and I went back to mowing. The same thing happened again a little later.

How can I test to find the problem? I believe the generator works OK and I suspect the regulator again, but I don't like just throwing parts at it until it's solved.
 
   / Ford 641 Charging Issue #2  
have you cleaned the regulator?

pull the cover and using a fine emery cloth clean the contacts. Blow it out with air. After reinstalling make sure its got a really good ground contact. Polarize it again and see if it works better.
 
   / Ford 641 Charging Issue
  • Thread Starter
#3  
have you cleaned the regulator?

pull the cover and using a fine emery cloth clean the contacts. Blow it out with air. After reinstalling make sure its got a really good ground contact. Polarize it again and see if it works better.
I haven't tried that. I'll give it a try and see what happens. Thanks!
 
   / Ford 641 Charging Issue #4  
have you cleaned the regulator?

pull the cover and using a fine emery cloth clean the contacts. Blow it out with air. After reinstalling make sure its got a really good ground contact. Polarize it again and see if it works better.
Please tell us how to polarize a regulator. Thanks!
 
   / Ford 641 Charging Issue #5  
this makes it easy

also available in any old chilton or motors manual
 
   / Ford 641 Charging Issue #6  
That video shows a method to polarize a generator. You can't polarize a regulator.
 
   / Ford 641 Charging Issue #7  
didnt say to polarize the regulator only. fact is you can polarize the generator at the regulator. Easiest to do after reinstalling the regulator.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2024 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500XD BOX TRUCK (A51222)
2024 MERCEDES-BENZ...
2016 WINNEBAGO SCORPION 4014 5TH WHEEL CAMPER (A50854)
2016 WINNEBAGO...
2013 INTERNATIONAL PAYSTAR DAY CAB ROAD TRACTOR (A51406)
2013 INTERNATIONAL...
2019 Energreen EVO 40 Robotic Tracked Flail Mower (A51039)
2019 Energreen EVO...
2004 JOHN DEERE 5205 TRACTOR (A51406)
2004 JOHN DEERE...
2017 NISSAN NV200 VAN (A51406)
2017 NISSAN NV200...
 
Top