generator question

Dead Rabbit · #1 01/14/11, 10:21 PM

my old MF 135 has a generator on it. is there tricks to see whether the generator is still working or has gone bad?

#2 01/14/11, 11:06 PM

I would think a simple test would be to unhook a battery cable while it's running . If it keeps running the generator is putting out something , if it dies it probably isn't charging . You could also have a voltage regulator or wiring problem if it isn't charging .

Dead Rabbit · #3 01/15/11, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WV Hillbilly

I would think a simple test would be to unhook a battery cable while it's running . If it keeps running the generator is putting out something , if it dies it probably isn't charging . You could also have a voltage regulator or wiring problem if it isn't charging .

thanks for the reply, heres what was suggested to me, and i tried it. i hooked a battery to the generator via jumper cables, clamped to the two connectors on top of the generator. i was told if it turns with the batter hooked to it...its good. if it does nothing. its bad. ..........it did nothing. from your experience or opinion.. is this true??

Dead Rabbit · #4 01/15/11, 07:37 AM

another fella told me it was the voltage regulator. but a third opinion said it sounded more like the generator.

the tractor will start when jumped, and will start later in the day, and even into the second day, but if it sets more than a day or two. it wont crank enuff to fire up. it runs the battery down.

tyusclan · #5 01/15/11, 09:16 AM

That sounds more like either a weak or dead cell in the battery or a voltage drain to me.

I don't know if yours is a gas burner or a diesel, but if it's a diesel taking the battery cable off won't tell you anything, since the diesel doesn't use voltage to 'fire' once it's cranked. The diesel only uses voltage to turn the starter, and the fuel injected into the compressed air causes the combustion.

rancher1913 · #6 01/15/11, 10:54 AM

seem to remember something about oil presure sensors on the massy's that if the OIL sensor does not "see" presure it thinks the tractor is not running and will not engauge the generator. wish i could remember for sure.

#7 01/15/11, 11:41 AM

A good while after I posted , the possibility that it is a diesel popped into my head . I think I have read that a generator will run ( sort of like an electric motor ) if connected to a battery .

agmantoo · #8 01/15/11, 12:36 PM

A generator will become an electric motor if battery power is applied to the terminal that the main output wire is normally attached. That output wire should be disconnect if this is tried. Any alternator/generator shop should be able to test the generator for you.

Dead Rabbit · #9 01/15/11, 02:14 PM

its gasoline engine. 4 cylinder. as mentioned i hooked it to a battery. wasnt sure which cable went to what terminal. but i tried it different ways and got nothing.

im not going to be able to carry it into town to a shop till next week some time. i was hoping to figure it out before then. i have the generator off the tractor now, and im going to put another one on off an old chevy truck a friend has. if it fits, just to see what happens........

Dead Rabbit · #10 01/15/11, 02:15 PM

on another site a fella said to use a multimeter, measure w/ tractor off then start it and measure it again.
i hate to admit my ignorance but i dont even know what a multimeter is.

Bearfootfarm · #11 01/15/11, 03:18 PM

Quote:

i hate to admit my ignorance but i dont even know what a multimeter is.

It's used to test voltage and resistance

http://www.google.com/search?q=harbo...ed=0CB4QrQQwAA

Dead Rabbit · #12 01/21/11, 05:04 PM

update. took the gen. in had it tested. it test out fine. so i bought a vol. reg. installed it and still the battery isnt charging. all wires look fine and connected.....im once again at a loss.

as for hooking the gen. to a battery. it did not turn it. so i assumed it was no good. a buddy of mine had another 12 volt and a 6 volt gen. his 12 didnt turn, but his 6 did. so i definitly assumed it was a bad gen. till i had a shop test it, and they said it was fine.

Windy in Kansas · #13 01/21/11, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dead Rabbit

update. took the gen. in had it tested. it test out fine. so i bought a vol. reg. installed it and still the battery isnt charging. all wires look fine and connected.....im once again at a loss.

as for hooking the gen. to a battery. it did not turn it. so i assumed it was no good. a buddy of mine had another 12 volt and a 6 volt gen. his 12 didnt turn, but his 6 did. so i definitly assumed it was a bad gen. till i had a shop test it, and they said it was fine.

It has been a long long time since I had to work with a generator. I tend to remember that you sometimes have to "flash the field" or some such term. Sorry, but I can't instruct you how as it has been too long since I've had to do it.

http://www.ytmag.com Yesterdays Tractors forums could tell you if someone else here doesn't give the information.

Dead Rabbit · #14 01/21/11, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

It has been a long long time since I had to work with a generator. I tend to remember that you sometimes have to "flash the field" or some such term. Sorry, but I can't instruct you how as it has been too long since I've had to do it.

http://www.ytmag.com Yesterdays Tractors forums could tell you if someone else here doesn't give the information.

the instructions that came with the vol.reg. calls for "polarize" the regulator

using a spare piece of jumper wire, momentarily 2 seconds, touch the wire to both the battery terminal and the generator terminal or armature terminal of the reg. do not touch the jumper wire to the field terminal there may be a spark there is no danger.

i did this, but got no spark, no nothing, so i assumed i did right???? i guess i can try again tomorrow.

rancher1913 · #15 01/21/11, 08:28 PM

dead rabbit see my above post. I know it sounds funny but the tractor will not charge if it thinks its off and if the oil sender is bad it thinks its off. its worth a try at least.

Dead Rabbit · #16 01/21/11, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rancher1913

dead rabbit see my above post. I know it sounds funny but the tractor will not charge if it thinks its off and if the oil sender is bad it thinks its off. its worth a try at least.

i'll try most anything now...but could you point me in the right direction of where the oil sender is?

obviously,,,im a no mechanic. a carpenter yes. but horribly ignorant when it comes to this sort of thing.

Bearfootfarm · #17 01/21/11, 09:08 PM

Quote:

i'll try most anything now

It's possible your wires/cables are corroded under the insulation and aren't allowing enough voltage to pass through

Windy in Kansas · #18 01/21/11, 09:11 PM

the instructions that came with the vol.reg. calls for "polarize" the regulator

Yes, that is what I was thinking of. Been so long since I've had a generator that I didn't even remember what it was called.

Dead Rabbit · #19 01/21/11, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

It's possible your wires/cables are corroded under the insulation and aren't allowing enough voltage to pass through

this is what i was wondering too. i see no breaks, and some of the insulation is missing here and there.

Dead Rabbit · #20 01/21/11, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

the instructions that came with the vol.reg. calls for "polarize" the regulator

Yes, that is what I was thinking of. Been so long since I've had a generator that I didn't even remember what it was called.

what happens if you dont polarize it?