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It Happened Again

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Michaels Dad

04-21-2008 16:07:29

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When I bought my 640 last year the voltmeter didn't work, so I replaced it.

Did fine for a while then wouldn't register when the key was turned on or when running.

Well I thought the alternator may have gone south because I used to have to rev it up to start showing charge.

After putting a meter on battery while running it showed to be charging.
Kinda blew it off for a while, then replaced the voltmeter again, different brand thinking, well it may have been a fluke.

Used the tractor today, had about 4 hours on the new meter. Shut the tractor off for a few minutes, started it up....voltmeter never came to life.

Reved it up and it tried to come from the bottom, but bounced right back, not showing charge.

Pulled up an old post (http://ytforums.ytmag.com/viewtopic.php?t=295291&sid=dd798f90c08cb950439818fa3a632177) and saw that my installation had only one wire coming from the alternator. Hasn't affected charging the battery, but I'm wondering if the lack of a diode is knocking my voltmeters out or is it "they don't make them like they used to".

I'm electricly challanged, so keep it simple please.

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Michaels Dad

04-22-2008 10:39:37

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Olivier_71, 04-21-2008 16:07:29

OK, hooked up the wires as suggested. When I touched #1 to the charging lug voltmeter went from 12v-14v....so all that's working.

Question now (remember I'm challenged in the electric area), it's suggested that I hook #1 up to the load side of the ignition switch. Since it's easer to get to my voltmeter/indicator lamp tie in could I just run it to there?

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Michaels Dad

04-22-2008 09:18:55

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Fordfarmer, 04-21-2008 16:07:29

OK, went back to the old post about installing 3 wire setup.
One picture is worth a thousand words.

We need an edit button on here.

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Michaels Dad

04-22-2008 08:44:28

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Matt R., 04-21-2008 16:07:29

Closed out to soon.

Printed the directions for your test, read it, have no idea about what to do. Don't know #2 from #1, or the post.

Can you please go into more detail?

The top of the alternator does have a place where something can plug in, is that what you're talking about? If so, which post is which and are you talking about the post on the back where the wire attaches?

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Michaels Dad

04-22-2008 08:31:17

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Fruitfarmer, 04-21-2008 16:07:29

OK, go to use it today...voltmeter works again.

Went over the wiring... - side goes to chassis. + side goes to where wire from key switch and wire to coil tie in.

My conclusion....they don't make em like they used to.

If it happens to die (for real) like the first one did, I'll see if quality can improve with price. Neither of these were over $20, and I think I've seen more expensive ones. It may be the vibration they don't like after all.

Going to attempt the wiring trick later today, but I can live with having to rev up to charge.

Thanks all

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Michaels Dad

04-22-2008 06:02:32

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Mr. Bob, 04-21-2008 16:07:29

souNdguy said: (quoted from post at 18:28:30 04/22/08) Most common volt meter wireing would be one side to chassie, and the other side to coil side o fthe key switch.. that way when the key is on, it registers voltage.

Not sure why yours are dieing... I installed a napa volt meter on a tractor back in 1999 or so.. still working fine. I have a v-meter (SW I think) in an 850.. been going for 1.5 years now.. What brand are you getting... maybee they don't like the vibration of a tractor?

Soundguy

That's the way it's wired. Also have an indicator light now wired in so I can tell when the key is on.

The one that just gave out came from NAPA 1 week ago.

The other was made by Sun Pro.

I've gone over all the connections more than once, replaced a wire and connector, still wondering if the one wire and lack of diode are the problem.

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Keith Williams

04-22-2008 08:44:33

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Michaels Dad, 04-22-2008 06:02:32

"""Also have an indicator light now wired in so I can tell when the key is on."""
If you hooked that up to the alternator, then you DO NOT need a diode. The light will do just as good a job with the benefit you mentioned. My 2 cents.
As far as the voltmeters are concerned. They should not be breaking that fast. Mine was put in in 1987 and still going.
Opps mine will stop working now!!!!! !!
Keith

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souNdguy

04-22-2008 07:50:02

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Michaels Dad, 04-22-2008 06:02:32

If you have a 1-wire alternator.. there's no place to put a diode.

The alt is not killing your volt meter.

Now.. if you want to wire it up as 3-wire and see if it starts charging sooner without revving it up..go for it... easy to test..

just hook a wire from #2 spade to charge lug, and then start tractor.. move to 600 rpm, assuming alt has not started charginh yet 9 volt meter ), jump #1 spade to charge lug real quick.. if charge comes up.. then you can wire as 3-wire... go buy a diode and install cathode side to alternator #1 spade.. cathode side is the striped side.. any 1a/50piv diode will work.. but more is better.. .like 3a/200piv

a 1n5408 diode will work. A radio shack 276-1141 will work..

soundguy

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souNdguy

04-22-2008 05:28:30

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Michaels Dad, 04-21-2008 16:07:29

Most common volt meter wireing would be one side to chassie, and the other side to coil side o fthe key switch.. that way when the key is on, it registers voltage.

Not sure why yours are dieing... I installed a napa volt meter on a tractor back in 1999 or so.. still working fine. I have a v-meter (SW I think) in an 850.. been going for 1.5 years now.. What brand are you getting... maybee they don't like the vibration of a tractor?

Soundguy

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Michaels Dad

04-22-2008 04:56:37

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to old, 04-21-2008 16:07:29

They are volt meters.

I guess I go back to the original question...why are they giving out?

Bad gauges?

Right now I'm not worried about having to rev the motor to get it to charge.
I need to find out what's going on before I move forward on anything else.

Thanks

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john in la

04-22-2008 03:05:13

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Michaels Dad, 04-21-2008 16:07:29

Is this a "VOLTMETER" as you say or is it a "AMPMETER"

They are wired differant!!!!! !!!!! !

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john_bud

04-21-2008 19:56:35

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to Michaels Dad, 04-21-2008 16:07:29

It's probably that the 1 wire alt is not charging. They need higher RPM to self stimiulate.

Search for the diagram for converting that to a 3 wire connection with a diode. easy to do and will permanently solve you issue and will charge at low rpms.

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GlenIdaho

04-21-2008 20:27:35

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Re: It Happened Again in reply to john_bud, 04-21-2008 19:56:35

Here's the 3 wire diagram courtesy of John in La.

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