Forum › Forums › Tractor Modifications › updating the puny alternator o na nt254
- This topic has 13 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 5 months ago by Bob Rooks.
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November 18, 2011 at 6:51 pm #30452
I ran across an article a couple of years ago about an alternator mod that involved a single wire gm type alternator. I have the alternator and now I cant find the article lol. As I remember it was rather simple but their were pitfalls and I would prefer not burning up the tractor. Any help as always is appreciated.
Bob
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November 19, 2011 at 11:47 am #33749
I don't recall any pitfalls when I swapped mine, except that I had to put the lockwasher between the pulley and the fan as a spacer so I could use the OEM pulley, and use a couple of washers on the adjusting arm. I installed a Delco 12Si 72 amp alternator. Only extra thing I had to buy was the pigtail @ $2.50. Oh yeah, and a belt. Bought the segmented belt from Harbor Freight.
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November 24, 2011 at 12:13 am #33786
thanks Bob I found the short pulley to keep the charge rate up and will start the project this weekend
Regards Bob
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November 24, 2011 at 7:35 am #33787
bob16925 wrote:
“I found the short pulley to keep the charge rate up…”
Not sure what what you mean, but good luck.
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November 24, 2011 at 9:28 am #33788
I think he's referring to changing to a smaller diameter pulley on the alternator to increase alternator rpm. The 1-wire alternators typically don't begin to develop full charging voltage until the engine hits around 1400 rpm, due to the fact they're designed for gasoline engines in cars. On tractors they may not put out full voltage until the engine is around 1400-1600 rpm unless the pulley is changed. Of course, if you go small enough to make much of a difference then you have belt slip due to low contact patch…
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November 24, 2011 at 10:17 am #33790
Something must be wrong with mine then because it charges at idle – around 600 r/m. Oh well, I was just curious about the “short” pulley. Never heard of that. Short, for me anyway, usually refers to a distance (horizontal/vertical) measurement.
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November 24, 2011 at 11:21 am #33791
“Short” when in the same sentence as “alternator” makes me think of “Let the smoke out”
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June 1, 2012 at 3:24 pm #34673
I'm a new guy on the block so here goes. I have a Nortrack 304 My alternator just went and I would like to install a delco. My alternator has three wires, how would I hook up this to my tractor? Another Question there is a regulator Do I delete that? Appreciate any help and thank you in advance.
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June 2, 2012 at 12:00 am #34675
Delco alternators come in a variety of flavours, meaning they are not all the same. Which one did you have in mind and what are your anticipated electrical loads?
Almost all alternators have three wires, some have more. Some alternators have the voltage regulator built in (integrated), others do not.
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June 2, 2012 at 11:05 am #34678
Hi Joe, welcome to CTOA.
Are you sure it's the alternator that went bad? Did you have it checked? Did you check and clean all the related electrical connections? It's more common to have the voltage regulators fail. Does the red LED on the voltage regulator light up when you turn the key switch on?
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June 2, 2012 at 11:49 am #34679
Thanks for the reply Bob. This tractor has an ampmeter and it stopped working. I then checked the wires at the alternator for power, nothing.
Then I read the post about using a Delco alternator with one wire. I had used a Delco this way on a case tractor that still works. My 304 has a regulator with the three wires on the alternator, and I was not sure how to wire it up. I called about a new alt. priced around $200.
I would like to use the original equipment, so I would appreciate any help to see what is not workin
Joe
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June 2, 2012 at 12:52 pm #34680
Please refer to the questions in my prior post.
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June 2, 2012 at 12:58 pm #34681
Will do more checking and reply, thanks Bob.
Joe
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June 2, 2012 at 1:03 pm #34682
While we’re on the subject of alternators, does anyone have a number for that “short” pulley that bob16925 found?
Well I couldn't wait any longer.
It's Delco #1961291
66mm OD x 17mm bore x 13mm (1/2″) “A” belt.
The stock pulley is over 80mm OD, so this will definitely spin faster.
Note & FYI: This may be an issue if you are keeping the stock belt, which I believe was a B-section belt, and is wider. I'm using the link-belt from Harbor Freight which is an A-belt but it runs fine and true in the engine and water pump pulleys so not an issue for me.
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