1910 Voltage Regulator

sruman · Feb 23, 2014

This may be a dumb question, but where is the voltage regulator on a 1910 ford tractor?
My alternator is overcharging my battery, and I would like to start there.

Brand new battery;
Engine off: 12.5 v
Engine running 17.4 v

The last battery was "cooking" after running for a while. Finally, it was worthless. I just put a new battery in it, and decided to do some basic testing. I found quickly that the alternator is overcharging the battery. Before I ruin the new battery, I would like to replace the voltage regulator, if I could find the stinking thing.

Any help?

rsallen · Feb 23, 2014

The tractor has been updated with an alternator?

What type (brand)?

RickB · Feb 23, 2014

sruman said:
where is the voltage regulator on a 1910 ford tractor?
My alternator is overcharging my battery, and I would like to start there.

Brand new battery;
Engine off: 12.5 v
Engine running 17.4 v

The last battery was "cooking" after running for a while. Finally, it was worthless. I just put a new battery in it, and decided to do some basic testing. I found quickly that the alternator is overcharging the battery. Before I ruin the new battery, I would like to replace the voltage regulator, if I could find the stinking thing.

Any help?

rsallen said:
The tractor has been updated with an alternator?

Tractor left the factory with an alternator. Voltage regulator is bolted to the cross member located between the instrument panel & fuel tank, IIRC.

rsallen · Feb 23, 2014

Oh, this isn't a tractor made in 1910 !

This is a Ford model 1910.
Never mind. lol

ETA:
Thinking about it I doubt that any tractor in 1910 even had a battery much less a generator.

sruman · Mar 1, 2014

I've replaced the VR and seems to have improved, but I'm still seeing 14.5v while running. is that an acceptable range?
How do I test the alternator? I'm assuming that the alternator is good, and that the VR would do just what it says, regulate the voltage charge back to the battery, as well as other things. True? Or does the charge flow from the alternator, to the solenoid, to the battery?

sruman · Mar 1, 2014

the other reason that I ask is the "charge" light on the tach is flashing at lower RPM's under 1200. If I rev it up a bit, the charge light goes out. What interesting is that the 14.5v is showing regardless of RPM's.

Hooked_on_HP · Mar 2, 2014

!4.5 is ok a little high but that could be your meter. Check the wires going into the alt. You could have a bad connection there. Is your belt tight.
Bill

topstoy · Mar 7, 2014

Hooked_on_HP said:
!4.5 is ok a little high but that could be your meter. Check the wires going into the alt. You could have a bad connection there. Is your belt tight.
Bill

I agree, probably just fine. 14.1-3 Volts is typical while running.

rdgemmill · Jun 5, 2020

sruman said:
I've replaced the VR and seems to have improved, but I'm still seeing 14.5v while running. is that an acceptable range?
How do I test the alternator? I'm assuming that the alternator is good, and that the VR would do just what it says, regulate the voltage charge back to the battery, as well as other things. True? Or does the charge flow from the alternator, to the solenoid, to the battery?

Hi,

I know this is years since your post, but I am having the exact same issue with my 1910. I tried to buy a mechanical VR but they sent me a solid state model that does not work. Can you tell me what you wound up buying and from who/where?

Thanks,

Richard