my every four month visit

Diana

Read on....

The cells in a battery can be connected in parallel, series, or in both. A parallel combination of cells has the same voltage as a single cell, but can supply a higher current (the sum of the currents from all the cells). A series combination has the same current rating as a single cell but its voltage is the sum of the voltages of all the cells. Most practical electrochemical batteries, such as 9 volt flashlight (torch) batteries and 12 V automobile (car) batteries, have several cells connected in series inside the casing. Parallel arrangements suffer from the problem that, if one cell discharges faster than its neighbour, current will flow from the full cell to the empty cell, wasting power and possibly causing overheating. Even worse, if one cell becomes short-circuited due to an internal fault, its neighbour will be forced to discharge its maximum current into the faulty cell, leading to overheating and possibly explosion. Cells in parallel are therefore usually fitted with an electronic circuit to protect them against these problems. In both series and parallel types, the energy stored in the battery is equal to the sum of the energies stored in all the cells.

I've also always said, two 12 volt parallel are no different or better than two 6 volt in series as long as cranking amp are the same. Here is one advantage of two 6 volt in series, the one battery will not work in a Spitfire, Camaro, etc.

To George, Karl and Jim; you are not dealing with some run of the mill housewife, or dumb blond with a pretty face, although I've never personally met Diana, so she may well have the blond hair and pretty face. The 3-4 years I've known her I'm inclined to picture her as a firey redhead. Tom met her when she with her Mustang chalanged him with his Camaro to a drag near Michigan City. I've forgotten who took the drag. He took her home to a 46 acre farm and he went off a city job with a multi-national corp. Diana being quite an able auto mechanic, soon became a housewife and mother, then a farmer. I gather she stayed out of trouble with her farming quite well while Tom's dad was around. Today she relies on us here at YT. I thought after the new batteries, starter, solinoid and wiring harness, she had the 350 cured as we hadn't heard from her in some time. I'll get quite a strong lecture for this disclosure, maybe even a personal e mail but I felt I had to let you guys know a bit more about who your dealing with.

As I recall, I was the one that talked you into that new wiring harness.

Diana

I think that the solenoid on the starter (if replaced) is probably good, there may be power going to the starter after the button is pushed and relaesed, this tests the starter only, not Manifold heater or other wiring. However here is my take on a trial run. Disconnect the little wire on the solenoid that goes to the start button. With that OFF of the terminal, the tractor in neutral with the brakes set, and having loosened a battery cable in preparation for pulling it off to stop the starter if the test goes poorly, try this:

Use a screwdriver to short between the small terminal, and the solenoid terminal connected to the battery. (be careful to not short to ground, solenoids may be metal and thus there would be many sparks. This will cause the solenoid to snap in and connect the starter. Remove the screwdriver and it will stop. Tell us what happens. JimN

Your description today, sounds as though the solinoid is not breaking contact when you stop cranking. You rebuilt the starter, did that also include a new solinoid? As I recall there was also some problems with the manifold heater, designed to assist in starting, did you get that one resolved? Did you ever pick up an IH operator's manual? Those contain excellent wiring diagrams, that would give you the oportunity to check and see if it is properly wired. There has got to be something wrong with the wiring if starter, solinoid and manifold heater are all good.

I was in Indiana about three weeks ago, did a bit of touring around the north east part of the state. Don't know where all we were, just Marg. and I enjoying the rural countryside. I do know we saw a sign saying Chicago, and the miles to were only 2 diget. From what you told me, I suspect we were not far from your place.

Diana

There has to be still something messed up on the 350 wiring, either wired wrong or not wired heavy enough. George Has a 350 diesel in the Farmall version, configuration will be different however components will be the same. When trouble shooting tractor electrical, keep your eye peeled for the simple things. There is some detail there someone has missed.

You might ask her if she is allowed to store the 350 in the garage with hubby's classic Camaro. Kind of touchy subject, it's not everyday a Camaro gets washed with calcium chloride.

Diana

Thanks!
Diana