Ford 3000 Generator Brush Source

[MBDiagMan]

Thanks for the response. Since the generator is makin' juice, it just about has to be the regulator so I didn't bother full fielding since a new regulator is only $20.

When troubleshooting this situation on cars and pickups in the old days, I simply momentarily shorted the generator. If no sparks, the problem is in the generator, if generator sparks and wiring looks good, then the problem was the regulator. Worked almost every time.

In this case there was indeed a problem with the generator that I identified and fixed. As you say, these regulators are a little flimsy so it won't hurt to replace it.

I'm going to fire up the pressure washer and give this old girl a bath, then take some pictures. I got a new seat on it, but washed up it will still look worse than your old Row Crop. Looks bad, runs good!

 

[Soundguy]

no offense.. but your test method is incomplete.

a generator with a bad fiel section in the vreg ALSO would not make sparks when you shorted the arm to ground ( a very bad test ) leaving you to conclude a bad genny.

a motor and full field test take about 1 minute, and for sure tell you the condition of the genny, and the vreg cutout and field circuit.

soundguy

Thanks for the response. Since the generator is makin' juice, it just about has to be the regulator so I didn't bother full fielding since a new regulator is only $20.

When troubleshooting this situation on cars and pickups in the old days, I simply momentarily shorted the generator. If no sparks, the problem is in the generator, if generator sparks and wiring looks good, then the problem was the regulator. Worked almost every time.

In this case there was indeed a problem with the generator that I identified and fixed. As you say, these regulators are a little flimsy so it won't hurt to replace it.

I'm going to fire up the pressure washer and give this old girl a bath, then take some pictures. I got a new seat on it, but washed up it will still look worse than your old Row Crop. Looks bad, runs good!

 

[redneckford]

Rick,

Your information saved the day. I finally got by the New Holland place yesterday and the guy was on the phone with another phone ringing. He said he was the only one there right then. I gave him the number, he went to the drawer and was impressed that it was the right part. I had an old one with me so we confirmed. Had you not given me the number I might still be standing at that counter.

I got home and got the generator back together. Not only were the brushes worn, but one of them had a broken lead. I got it back on the tractor and cranked it up. The generator is now gennin' but still no voltage to the battery. I will replace the voltage regulator.

I am now one step closer. Thanks a BUNCH for the detailed help.


I got a new seat on it yesterday too. I hope to get a few pictures up soon.

Did you given the parts man a big tip for looking up that little part---oh $30 or so---messicks has them on the computer---but your local dealer had them at a give away price---stop by again when you pick up your regulator and leave him a tip---like all those food joints change with your meals----it is only money

 

[MBDiagMan]

Thanks for the info Soundguy.

In the old days (Yes, I'm quite old enough to remember them) when generators were all we had, my sticking a screwdriver across the generator to check for sparks was my Cowboy way of troubleshooting. Had I studied up a little more like yourself, I guess my batting average would have been better.

Hope to get the regulator in a few days and I will post results.

 

[JL Sargent]

Instead of a generator, maybe next time consider a 1-wire GM alternator conversion. Much better than the old gen technology and easy to wire.:thumbsup:

 

[MBDiagMan]

Yes, I have several one wire alternators of different types laying around that I thought about rigging up. The problem is that I would lose the tach drive. The kits for tach drive alternators are pretty expensive, so if the regulator fixes it, I will only have about $45 in the project.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[Soundguy]

Instead of a generator, maybe next time consider a 1-wire GM alternator conversion. Much better than the old gen technology and easy to wire.:thumbsup:

why 1 wire? it's more $ and takes higher rpm to excite. go for 3 wire ( 2 wire really )...

soundguy

 

[MBDiagMan]

The brown truck brought the voltage regulator today. I stuck it on there and the generator light went off and it started making about 13.7 Volt at the battery when running.

The tractor is now ready for the field. I've run it a good bit, maybe an hour altogether since bringing it back to life and maybe a half hour since the hot oil change with diesel fuel crank case rinse. The oil is still clean on the dipstick.

Today I added some Power Service Kleen to the old fuel and cranked it up and ran it awhile. I bled about a pint of the old fuel out of both fuel filters, and it seems to be clearing up and running better all the time.

I hope to get a few pictures of old Double Ugly and post them on my other thread sometime next week.

Thanks to all for the help. It really feels good for her to be back to life as she is.

 

[Soundguy]

better get to working it before the new vreg gives out

lucas.. the prince of darkness...

soundguy