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Al C.

Voltage Regulator Issue

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Al C.

My 1967 Wheel Horse T1067 developed an electrical problem last week.  The generator light started coming on at full throttle.  I did some testing.  The generator was putting out plenty of volts.  I opened up the regulator and noticed that one of the contacts was sparking when the generator light was on (see pictures and arrows).  So I sanded the contacts lightly and adjusted the contact head so that the points made full contact at full throttle.  The generator light now seems to be functioning normally.  I have no idea why what I did seems to have fixed the problem, or why the problem started in the first place.  Can anyone help me with an explanation?  Have I potentially caused another problem down the road with my solution?  Thanks!

 

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Edited by Al C.

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gwest_ca

This old Kohler service manual has a good section on the starter/generator.

 

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JimSraj

I can’t help you with your question but I do want to compliment you on the way you have maintained that tractor over its lifetime. It’s a beauty!

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adsm08

The regulator is just a series of electro-magnets and contact points. As the voltages change so do the strengths of the magnetic fields. This sets the voltage. It also causes the contacts to "float" ever fully in contact, or fully apart. This allows arcing. Arcing causes carbon build up. Carbon is not very conductive and will cause issues. Cleaning the contact points allowed for better continuity, and thus better operation.

 

Depending on the grit of the sand paper used you may have removed some protective coating, but it may have also been burned off if there was enough carbon build up to cause issues.

 

I'd run it and see if any new issues crop up before replacing it. 

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