[quote}If he is using the ACC terminal on the ignition switch a diode is not needed since the ACC and ignition are not connected when the switch is off.[quote) That is not actually true... The fact that the tractor will turn off does not mean that the alt is wired or working correctly. If you Connect the Excite Term via "any" switch directly to the Battery then the Excite Voltage to the regulator will "Equal" Battery Voltage "at all times". Once the Alt has started charging the regulater "SHOULD" use the voltage from its internal diode Trio (seperate Voltage output from the ALT) When you directly connect the EXCITE Term to the battery (via ANY Switch Contact) you defeat the reason for the seperate diode Trio output. The Internal Regulater Voltage (excite) should vary above & below battery voltage (load dependant) The addition of an "External" diode will block the internal Alt Excite (diode trio) voltage, from the battery, and allow it to independantly control the Regulator. In an ideal world a small resistor would also be installed in series with the Diode to allow a lower charge rate. JMHO
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