Colt Case Ingersoll Garden Tractors

Hello,

I just rebuilt my starter generator. I also installed a new battery. I made sure the new battery had a full charge before using it to clear snow today.

Tractor worked great for about 5 minutes, then the generator light came on when I increased the rpm’s because of heavy snow. The light remained on when the rpm’s were lowered.

I’ve found some good info from Eugen on testing the regulator that I will follow.

Should I have polarized the regulator/generator after the rebuild? I read somewhere that it wasn’t necessary, but this light has me thinking that it might be.

I would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

Thank you


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Findwaldo, yes with a starter generator you do not need to polarize. I found my generator light was coming on and staying on no matter what rpm. So I purchased a new regulator and it still came on. So I installed a ammeter and it reads charge when the engine is running. I have no idea why the light always came on. Harry

You don't say what model year GT you have but on the later 3 digit models there is a voltage sensor (C30265) that is known to fail over time. When this happens the light will remain on even though the GT is charging OK.

That would have been helpful, sorry all.

This is a 1975ish 444

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@findwaldo Welcome to the site . Check where the bracket fastens to the block for good clean ground . Check the with a meter at the battery to verify low voltage . If after following Eugens test you still have low output pull the S/G and check the brushes . I had one that drove me nuts after rebuilding . Finally found one of the new brushes , the braided wire was loose in the carbon block . Manufacturers defect .

I charged the battery back up with an external charger. Started it up and the light went out. Used the tractor for about 5 minutes and the light came on. With the tractor running, I tested the voltage at the battery and it was indeed low (12.4). Then I put the positive probe on the "A" terminal of the generator to see if it was put volts out and if it was I was going to suspect the regulator. However I only got 1-2 volts, so if my workflow is correct, I believe I have a problem with the generator...

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hey @findwaldo welcome to the site!

not sure I can help, but let us know what troubleshooting you do and what you notice and I'm sure the problem will be fixed.

findwaldo wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:00 pm I charged the battery back up with an external charger. Started it up and the light went out. Used the tractor for about 5 minutes and the light came on. With the tractor running, I tested the voltage at the battery and it was indeed low (12.4). Then I put the positive probe on the "A" terminal of the generator to see if it was put volts out and if it was I was going to suspect the regulator. However I only got 1-2 volts, so if my workflow is correct, I believe I have a problem with the generator...

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Were you getting power to the "F" field terminal ?? If not go to regulator , if yes go to generator .

Edit .. After rereading this I realized I did not explain myself properly . "power" should have been ground and when I check it I put + of meter to "A" terminal and - of meter to to "F" terminal . It is a quick check . Bobs diag. tree is the correct way to do it .

I didn’t test voltage at the F terminal.


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Just a guess here. But can the regulator cover be taken off. Maybe clean the points in the regulator. Some had an adjustment for voltage settings.


Noel