Posted by Bob on December 31, 2008 at 19:05:24 from (69.178.228.68):
In Reply to: Idiot light. posted by John B. on December 31, 2008 at 17:36:06:
Hey, John! Can we be FRIENDS? (GRIN)
I took a few hours off from bugging you guys to make a parts run, and take my 9-Y-O out for a little shopping and games with a friend at Micky D's.
Sorry for going a little overboard with you, but on the other hand, "don't shoot the messenger". The information I posted was TRUE and RELEVANT, and IMPORTANT for the long service life of an alternator.
I have worked with these alternators in OEM and conversion settings since they came out in '72 or '73 and have seen MANY examples of alternators being damaged by the scenario I posted about that would otherwise have not been harmed by a loose wire or bit of resistance in the charging circuit, had they had a current-limiting device in the lead to the #1 terminal.
I usually use a 1N5408 diode which costs less than $0.20 in quantity, a SMALL price to pay for increased alternator life/reliability. (A resistor or lamp serve the same function, but require a mount and get HOT as compared to the diode.)
Over the years, I have seen MANY systems with an "idiot light" that the customer notices is glowing slightly when the machine is operated in the dark. Often, this is a sign the charging system needs to have some connections tightened up and/or cleaned and WOULD have lead to alternator damage WITHOUT the light to limit current flow.
Of course, a dimly-glowing "idiot light" CAN indicate a leaky/shorted diode or a shorted stator, even while the alternator is STILL putting out some current.
Incidentally, "john in la" is "up to speed" on this, and "gets it".
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Tractor Profile: Farmall M - by Staff. H so that mountable implements were interchaneable. The Farmall M was most popular with large-acreage row-crop farmers. It was powered by either a high-compression gas engine or a distillate version with lower compression. Options included the Lift-All hydraulic system, a belt pulley, PTO, rubber tires, starter, lights and a swinging drawbar. It could be ordered in the high-crop, wide-front or tricycle configurations. The high-crop version was called a Model MV.
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
