Ford Tractor Electrical Charging

mscher

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
1,424
My 67' Ford 4500 tractor/backhoe, has had the charging light on (when running), for a few weeks (it's been setting in the woods, on scrap detail).

The light did come on and then go off after a while, but is now on all of the time. It does not appear to be putting out charging voltage, as we read 12.3v when it was running. (fresh charged almost new battery). It sat in a barn for 7 years and has not had charging problems, since we got it running in early summer.

It's a Lucas generator. How do I read it's output, or test the voltage regulator? If it's shot, I'm considering switching over to an alternator.DB has the service records, but I think the generator has been replaced once, since new.

Any help appreciated.
 

dennis461

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 11, 2011
Messages
516
Re: Ford Tractor Electrical Charging

My 67' Ford 4500 tractor/backhoe, has had the charging light on (when running), for a few weeks (it's been setting in the woods, on scrap detail).

The light did come on and then go off after a while, but is now on all of the time. It does not appear to be putting out charging voltage, as we read 12.3v when it was running. (fresh charged almost new battery). It sat in a barn for 7 years and has not had charging problems, since we got it running in early summer.

It's a Lucas generator. How do I read it's output, or test the voltage regulator? If it's shot, I'm considering switching over to an alternator.DB has the service records, but I think the generator has been replaced once, since new.

Any help appreciated.

OK, you called it a generator, so lets start by assuming you know the difference between an alternator and generator.

You need to use an ohm-meter to check the field resistance.
Could be the brushes hung up.
Or just open the back end and take a pic for us.
 

Laddies

Banned
Joined
Sep 10, 2004
Messages
12,218
Re: Ford Tractor Electrical Charging

If it's a 2 or 3 spool regulator you should be able to turn the voltage up. Athough I have never did a Lucas
 
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