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Fergusson 20 Ammeter

  • 29-08-2014 12:56pm
    #1
    Buona Fortuna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,507 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    I've got an old grey Fergie which is a great little yoke, but now I have this problem.

    The only instruments are an oil pressure gauge (which is right up at 60 all the time she's running) and an ammeter. The ammeter runs from -30 to +30. Now if I'm honest I never have looked that closely :o, but this morning it was showing -15. A bit of running around and its come up a good bit but its still below zero.

    A couple of questions:

    1. Have I got a problem?
    2. What is the ammeter measuring and what should it read (Everyone I speak to says zero but no one seems to know why).
    3. Any solutions? The fan belt is fine, no slipping.

    Thanks in advance for any advice.


Comments

  • #2
    _Brian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,719 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    If my memory serves me I think your alternator is no longer charging...

    Zero with machine running and no power being drawn
    + indicated power was being drawn and alternator was charging
    - indicates charging or battery problem.


  • #3
    jmrc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭jmrc


    firstly is it a petrol/TVO or diesel?
    the older petrol/TVO's had a dynamo not an alternator.


  • #4
    Buona Fortuna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,507 ✭✭✭Buona Fortuna


    jmrc wrote: »
    firstly is it a petrol/TVO or diesel?
    the older petrol/TVO's had a dynamo not an alternator.

    Diesel


  • #5
    jmrc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭jmrc


    is there a charge light when that when the ignition is turned on that goes out when the engine is running?


  • #6
    Buona Fortuna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,507 ✭✭✭Buona Fortuna


    jmrc wrote: »
    is there a charge light when that when the ignition is turned on that goes out when the engine is running?

    No there's no other lights or dials.

    No ignition key. Just starts using the gear stick. There's a pre warm button is all.


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  • #7
    ferryman35
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 85 ✭✭ferryman35


    All those tractors had a dynamo system and somewhere around the dash you'll find the voltage regulator - normally a silver box marked 'Lucas@ with 4 terminals on it.

    The ammeter is measuring 'amps' i.e. the amount and direction of current flowing in the charging circuit.

    If the needle moves to the '+' it means that the system is providing power and therefore keeping the battery topped up.

    If the needle moves to '-' it means that the battery is discharging - i.e your charging system is not providing sufficient power so the battery is being discharged.

    Normally, the needle will move towards '+' after starting (the system is replacing the power needed to start the tractor) and then return to the '0' position as the battery becomes fully charged.

    You'll know you have a dynamo iy you can see two wires connected at the back of it, one to a large terminal, and the second to a smaller separate terminal.

    If your a handy, it shouldn't be a big job to sort out.


  • #8
    Buona Fortuna
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,507 ✭✭✭Buona Fortuna


    Thanks everyone for your help and advice on this.

    One would have thought that by now the battery would be flat, but no.

    If anything the ammeter has taken a continual dive to -30. Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery made no difference.

    Friendly local mechanic kept promising to come over and "Stick a meter on it for ya". Surprised myself and put a new ammeter on this morning and its working great.

    Thanks again folks ;)


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