Alternator

[larryd314]

My charging system has quit working. So just to be different since I don't use my mower deck I'm thinking of using a small alternator mounted under the tractor where the mule drive would be and driving off the pto pulley.
Does anybody have any thoughts or ideas?

larryd314

 

[murphy1244]

My charging system has quit working. So just to be different since I don't use my mower deck I'm thinking of using a small alternator mounted under the tractor where the mule drive would be and driving off the pto pulley.
Does anybody have any thoughts or ideas?

larryd314

Will it spin fast enough?

 

[larryd314]

I don't believe that would be a problem since it has a constant voltage. A typical car engine idles from 650 to 8oo and the alternator would be turning 1200 to 1500 rpm. and will produce 13.5-14 volts so that rpm chould be no problem.

larryd314

 

[CobyRupert]

Starting might be easier, I guess, as your not turning the alternator.
Being on the bottom of tractor can you keep it out of mud and snow?
I guess if your hear tractor sputter, that's your sign that you forgot to turn on PTO.

 

[Papasmirf]

Doesn't your PTO operate at 540 rpms? Assuming you operate your tractor at 2000 rpms, the pto is only turning 540 rpms. Plus all the dirt, weeds, seed, and junk on the ground will make short work of that alternator, plus a fire danger.

 

[larryd314]

I generally operate my engine at full throttle approx. 3400rpm. and control speed with hydro. most hydros work best like that.
It wouldn't hand as low as mule drive and I would put a shield on it similar to a mule drive.

larryd314

 

[buickanddeere]

Why go and jackleg the tractor when all it needs is a stator or voltage regulator? Have you done any trouble shooting? Could be a simple 10 minute fix.

 

[larryd314]

Everything would be bolt on and something different.

 

[Papasmirf]

But your pto is still only turn 540 RPMs. I still think it would be better and simpler to fix what you have and put your inventing ness to better use some place else. Please don't take me wrong, I think your creativity is wonderful. I just don't think this is the right point to reinvent the alternator mount. But good luck.

 

[Xfaxman]

My charging system has quit working. So just to be different since I don't use my mower deck I'm thinking of using a small alternator mounted under the tractor where the mule drive would be and driving off the pto pulley.
Does anybody have any thoughts or ideas?

larryd314

I assume from your Profile, that you have something like this?


Unless you already have an alternator with an internal regulator, it would cost less to fix the charging system.

It may just be some corroded connections or the voltage regulator.

 

[larryd314]

According to the test I have done it seems to be the stator. Shows 0 output.
I have a smsll alternator about 3.5" in dia.

larryd314

 

[larryd314]

My pto is the electric clutch on the front of my k321 engine.

larryd314

 

[larryd314]

Well I'm going to side line idea and pull the engine and replace the stator.

laarryd314

 

[Xfaxman]

According to the test I have done it seems to be the stator. Shows 0 output.
I have a smsll alternator about 3.5" in dia.

larryd314

Did you have the meter on AC volts?

 

[larryd314]

yes set on a/c 100v

 

[buickanddeere]

yes set on a/c 100v

Isolate the leads from the stator to the rectumfire/voltage regulator. Set the meter to ohm on the 0-100 scale. Wire to wire on the stator should be 5-20ohm as a rough guess. Set the ohm meter to 0-10,000 and measure engine block to each stator wire. Should read 10,000plus ohms.
Figuring the age of the equipment and hours. She did alright to last that long. On occasion a rectumfire/voltage regulator can short out and that will ruin a stator pronto.
Yes that is what we called rectifiers where I used to work. They were poor design for the particular application and were no end of troubles.

 

[larryd314]

0 on all accounts, no matter how I check it. I'm pulling the engine in morning.

larryd314

 

[buickanddeere]

??? 0.0 ohms would be a dead short but most ohm meters show that as something between 0.1 and 1.0 ohms. What does your ohm meter read when the meter leads are touched together ?
In this case a w.a.g. of replacing the stator and voltage regulator/rectumfire often restores the charging function.

 

[larryd314]

My meter actually reads 1. ZILCH DEAD AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN KAPUT NO WORKIE

 

[thirdroc17]

I can think of several good reasons for adding an auxiliary alternator. If it's a one wire alternator, it would be a relatively easy thing to do. All that's required is building a bracket to hold it.

I think it's a neat idea, one I will probably do someday.