MF 150 Generator to Alternator

[crowbar032]

I've fiddled around all summer with this thing. Battery dies, I charge, it works awhile then start the cycle over again. Now the battery is graveyard dead so I have to buy a battery either way. I'm pretty sure the generator needs rebuilt. My neighbor just had one done and it was ~$300. I'm thinking I'd be better off putting that $300 into an alternator conversion. So I've been google-ing around and browsing threads here on TBN but haven't found exactly what I'm looking for. Does anyone know of a kit that comes with all parts necessary to make this conversion (alternator, wiring, gauge)? I also want an alternator that will still allow the Tach to work, and I haven't found one of those either.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Continental or Diesel engine???... I have a 135 Continental with the generator...the battery kept slowly running down...come to find out the light switch has a bleed in it.. I just unplugged the lightswitch...don't have a problem now..if I need the lights, I plug it back in...who knows.. could be your issue...by the way, I spent a bunch of time with a voltmeter adjusting the volt regulator till I got it where I want it...good luck. BobG in VA

 

[crowbar032]

Yeah, I forgot to add it's the Z134 4 cylinder continental. I suppose it's possible there is a ground in the light wiring somewhere. I have intentions of re-doing that wiring as part of this as various tree limbs/grape vines while bushhogging have pulled the warning flasher and rear work light off. I still strongly suspect the generator even given these things.

I have not checked the voltage regulator, but I intend to do that this weekend. Trying to google the best set of instructions on how to do it.

 

[The kid]

Is your alternator a one wire or two. Most common GM alternators will work as one wire or two wire setup. If using two wires you will need to add an idiot light or you will have a small draw on the battery enough to drain it over a period of days. Single wire setup won't do that.

 

[crowbar032]

After doing some checking, an alternator that allowed a working tach is like a unicorn. I took the generator and voltage regulator to a rebuild shop. Both pieces tested bad. $225 for a rebuild of the generator and a new regulator. Issue closed for now.

 

[Soundguy]

there are alts with tach drives.. but they are spendy.

are you SURE your gen rebuild is gonna be 300$?

i get ford gens and starters rebuilt for about 80$.. lucas too.. and they have the tech drives.

have you checked the gen? motor test and full field test.

might be a 25-50$ regulator..

I've fiddled around all summer with this thing. Battery dies, I charge, it works awhile then start the cycle over again. Now the battery is graveyard dead so I have to buy a battery either way. I'm pretty sure the generator needs rebuilt. My neighbor just had one done and it was ~$300. I'm thinking I'd be better off putting that $300 into an alternator conversion. So I've been google-ing around and browsing threads here on TBN but haven't found exactly what I'm looking for. Does anyone know of a kit that comes with all parts necessary to make this conversion (alternator, wiring, gauge)? I also want an alternator that will still allow the Tach to work, and I haven't found one of those either.

 

[crowbar032]

are you SURE your gen rebuild is gonna be 300$?

have you checked the gen? motor test and full field test.

might be a 25-50$ regulator..

There are only a few local places that still re-build stuff like this. Got the call yesterday that generator and voltage regulator were both bad. $225 for the rebuild and a new regulator.

 

[Soundguy]

man that's an expensive rebuild!

 

[crowbar032]

man that's an expensive rebuild!

The $225 included the regulator which is $35 on-line. My neighbors Allis Chalmers D15 generator rebuild was $289 and didn't include the regulator. Unfortunately not too many places still do this kind of thing around here and I don't possess the skills to do it myself.

 

[Kenneth S]

New Massey Ferguson Alternator with Tach Drive Assembly 35 135 165 65 | eBay

 

[Soundguy]

for that much $ the fields, brush plate and armature had to all be gone.

usually into 200$ and you are buying a repop vs a reman. yikes!

 

[The kid]

New Massey Ferguson Alternator with Tach Drive Assembly 35 135 165 65 | eBay

These are easy enough to modify the existing bracket to accommodate the alternator. Spacers for the block mounting from TSC. Used a piece of rope to measure for a belt so the alternator won't hang outside the tractors sheet metal. If he goes with one of these, make sure of the rotation to match the existing tach. No more finicky regulator to mess with plus a higher output at lower speeds. I put one of these from the same guy on my 135.

 

[crowbar032]

Holy old thread batman......so the generator crapped out again. It made me mad enough that I searched harder this time and found my unicorn.......An alternator with tach that works for a massey ferguson 150. I googled for alternator conversions and started sending emails. All but one responded with a NOPE, sorry, good luck. I won't say the name since I don't think they're an advertiser on the site. The technical support gentleman was extremely helpful and was actually a former Massey tech in the 1980's and was familiar with the MF150. He was working on this alternator as a "side" project and asked me to count the gears on the generator tach drive to ensure compatibility. I counted gears and sent him pics. He responded with this particular alternator that the gears matched perfectly. He recommended I put the pulley from the generator onto the alternator to keep the same ratios, which I did.

I had a local welder make the bottom bracket and I made the top strap using a drill and grinder. Years ago Dad had the TO35 converted to 12 volt but didn't keep the tach. I removed that bracket and used it as a pattern (slightly adjusted the holes to clear both the frame and heat shield). I Used a 6 gauge wire since the store was out of 8 and 10. I crimped the ends, put some solder in the ends, and covered with heat shrink tubing. I had to take the tach cable and reroute it around the throttle linkage to get an extra inch out of it. AND IT WORKS PERFECTLY! Gauges, tach and all. I spent $144 on the alternator (delivered), $10 on the welded bracket, $5 for the top strap, $1 for a thin grinder wheel, $6 for the wire, $3 for a pack of electrical ends, $8 for heat shrink tubing, and $.3 for bolts/nuts/washers, and $18 for a new belt. But most importantly....no more !@#$%^%^&*(@#$@!#$%^&() generator and that's worth a fortune.

I did not run an "exciter" wire. Usually when I operate a tractor it's running at close to PTO speed and long enough to recharge the battery. I didn't see the point in doing it. It works fine for me and for how I'll be using the tractor.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Glad you got it changed out...I've got a '67 135 with the Z145 engine..when I first bought it I thought the gen. was faulty..took it to an "old" auto electric shop..he checked out the gen and just said..."its perfect"..He did put a new bearing in the front of the unit (now sans oil cup) and charged me $50. that was about 5 years ago..I did spend about 2 to 3 hours adjusting the original voltage reg.. till I got it the way I wanted it...Right now it starts to charge about about 900-1000 rpm and doesn't put out more that about 13.7v...since I'm not running anything else electric, that's fine..the unit/tractor has been perfect for me since. Thanks for your update! BobG in VA

 

[crowbar032]

Glad you got it changed out...I've got a '67 135 with the Z145 engine..when I first bought it I thought the gen. was faulty..took it to an "old" auto electric shop..he checked out the gen and just said..."its perfect"..He did put a new bearing in the front of the unit (now sans oil cup) and charged me $50. that was about 5 years ago..I did spend about 2 to 3 hours adjusting the original voltage reg.. till I got it the way I wanted it...Right now it starts to charge about about 900-1000 rpm and doesn't put out more that about 13.7v...since I'm not running anything else electric, that's fine..the unit/tractor has been perfect for me since. Thanks for your update! BobG in VA

I used a multimeter to check the voltage. The issue was 100% no doubt the generator. I don't know if there is a limit on the number of times these things can be rebuilt or not. I did find a new (allegedly) generator on Amazon for $250, but I was so aggravated with the generator set up I didn't try it.

 

[Soundguy]

I used a multimeter to check the voltage. The issue was 100% no doubt the generator. I don't know if there is a limit on the number of times these things can be rebuilt or not. I did find a new (allegedly) generator on Amazon for $250, but I was so aggravated with the generator set up I didn't try it.

yes, there is a limit.. comutator wear.. etc..