Checking the charging system on my 3020 John Deere and converting the 12v Generator to an Alternator

In this video I show how the check output voltage of a generator with a multimeter on my John Deere 3020. After checking the generator I decided to do a conversion from the generator to an alternator. Complete with how I mounted it and wiring up the alternator. These classic tractors are fun to operate and easy to work on.

Пікірлер: 40

  • @countrysidecowboy4464
    @countrysidecowboy44642 жыл бұрын

    Some good information to know! Before the 560 broke down it was doing the same thing where the batteries were always dead and not charging. I didn’t get a chance to check if it was the batteries or generator but once it runs again I will. If it’s the generator I’ll probably put an alternator on and if it’s batteries just replace them. Thanks for the tips and explaining it!

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    It's a pain to always have a dead battery. But at least this older stuff is easy to work on. Alternators charge better than the generators anyway and they're not too expensive. Thanks for watching!!

  • @gleanerk
    @gleanerk2 жыл бұрын

    Job well done 👍🏻! Thanks for sharing, enjoyed watching!

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Cousin Scott!! It worked out fine. Thanks for watching!!

  • @crslyrn
    @crslyrn2 жыл бұрын

    Nice D.I.Y. upgrade to the Ol' John Deere 3020. Keep up the good work there. Take care.

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Ron! Thanks for stopping by!

  • @allisdeere55
    @allisdeere559 ай бұрын

    original + ground. alternator has to be _ ground . this can also mess with your gas gauge. i do like the idea or keeping it original.

  • @gregrhodes8451
    @gregrhodes84512 жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed the video Bill. Sweet tractor right there sir.

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Sir! I'm ready to get it to work! Thanks for watching!!

  • @gregrhodes8451

    @gregrhodes8451

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@stinsonfarms6724 man it's been nice here but windy.

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@gregrhodes8451 it was cool here over the weekend but dry. Rain tomorrow. About the time it is almost dry enough to work it rains again. If I make it home in time today I may hook her to the plow and try the garden out.

  • @CookwithKalindi
    @CookwithKalindi2 жыл бұрын

    Super sharing 🙏

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for being here watching!!

  • @Pennies_on_the_dollar
    @Pennies_on_the_dollar2 жыл бұрын

    Man yeah, great fix Mr Bill! Those one wire alternators are amazing, but I like the fact you are gonna rebuild the original generator though! I need to do the same thing for the Oliver, been putting it off for months 🤣🤣🤣 I like your idea of mounting it to one side of the bracket, and keeping all the wires too!! When the hat turns around, the real work begins😁😉 Thank you.for bringing us along the project.skr, look fwd to.seeing this one in the field soon😁👍

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    I like simple and easy! Lol I plan on doing all my planting with this tractor so it needs to be working right. I was surprised that I could use the original bracket but with a little modification it worked fine. I'll leave the alternator on it as long as I'm using it but I like the looks of the original generator. Thanks for being here watching!!!

  • @yessssss11
    @yessssss119 ай бұрын

    Question, if I have a positive ground system, do I still run the alternator wire back to the solenoid? Did you need to do anything with the voltage regulator? Does the light on the dashboard go out.

  • @elainestamper3873
    @elainestamper3873Ай бұрын

    What Alternator is it and wear did you get it? Good video I have a 3020 with the same problem thanks for the help!

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    Ай бұрын

    It's a Delco alternator and I bought it at Napa auto parts. A one wire generator. Should be able to get it at any auto parts store. Thanks!

  • @AnglesideFarm
    @AnglesideFarm2 жыл бұрын

    Timely video for me Bill, my 3020 battery needs to be hooked up to battery charger if I don’t run it for a few days. Curious if that rubber foot mat was on the tractor when you bought it or if you bought it? I’d love to add one to mine. Sure is a nice clean tractor you have!

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Sir! The rubber mat was on it when I bought it. He told me they were hard to find but they are nice. The tractor was charging when I bought it but went south pretty quick. Had to do something! Thanks for watching!!

  • @jeffcridland4120
    @jeffcridland4120 Жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed the video. I’m installing a Pertronix ignition in my gas 4020 and wanted to upgrade to a negative ground as well. Wondering which delco alternator is the best solution to use?

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    Жыл бұрын

    The one wire alternator is the simplest and works really good. Plenty of voltage back to the battery. Low cost as well. Thanks for watching!!

  • @user-iw5oi2pg4m
    @user-iw5oi2pg4m Жыл бұрын

    😊

  • @eddygoodwin7089
    @eddygoodwin7089 Жыл бұрын

    I have a John Deere 240 skid steer that had an iskra alternator on it and it has never worked right since I’ve owned it. I had it tested and it was fine so I figured it was the exciter circuit coming from the ignition. Put a new ignition in and it for another reason and it still doesn’t charge. Buddy if mine says just put a one wire alternator on it but I hate to change things up what. What would you do?

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    Жыл бұрын

    I really wanted to rebuild the generator that came on the tractor and keep it original, but changing it over to a one wire alternator was the quickest and cheapest at the time. It is real simple to do. Are you sure you don't have a short somewhere pulling your voltage down? Does your alternator have a built in voltage regulator? If you have a separate voltage regulator it could be the problem. Thanks for watching!! Good luck!

  • @eddygoodwin7089

    @eddygoodwin7089

    Жыл бұрын

    @@stinsonfarms6724 thank you I’m pretty sure it has a built on regulator. I will double check now

  • @briansutton7764
    @briansutton7764 Жыл бұрын

    I have a 3020 and my Generator is putting out 46 volts at the generator, but I only have battery voltage at the battery. I've tried to polarize the voltage regulator several times to no avail. The voltage regulator was replaced but that doesn't mean much when the part is made in China. I've tried to polarize the voltage regulator from the battery field on the voltage regulator to the generator field with a jumper wire. I've also tried running an alligator clip from the positive of the battery to the field terminal on the regulator. How can I determine if the voltage regulator is working properly? I would greatly appreciate your input.

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    Жыл бұрын

    In my experience you'll see a little drop in voltage from what your generator is putting out to what you'll be getting at the battery. For example, if you were to bypass the voltage regulator you probably wouldn't see the 46 volts at you battery anyway, and wouldn't want to. So if the voltage regulator is doing it's job it should reduce the 46 input volts to around 14, maybe 15 output volts max. That should be plenty to keep your battery charged. If you haven't already, take a multi meter set on DC and check the voltage at your battery. With the tractor running you should see somewhere around 14 volts, Any more or any less and your voltage regulator probably isn't working correctly. I assume your battery isn't stay charged. With the generator putting out 46 volts your voltage regulator is probably the problem or you have a short somewhere down stream pulling the voltage from your battery while not running. Just my thoughts. Hope this helps! Thanks!

  • @thatyellowtopguy
    @thatyellowtopguy2 жыл бұрын

    Great video! Also, where does a fella get that floor mat?

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    The floor mat was on it when I bought it. The man didn't say where he found it but said they were hard to come by. The old tractor had been setting in a collection for the last 25 years and hadn't been used. It's in real good shape. Kinda hated putting it back in the field but that's what they are made for. It's done a real good job for me. Thanks for watching!!

  • @thatyellowtopguy

    @thatyellowtopguy

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@stinsonfarms6724 Bummer! It’s a sharp tractor!! Trying to get mine in that sort of shape as well! Just drug it out of a barn where it sat for over 10 years!

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    I love mine. One of the best handling tractors I ever drove.

  • @robertbolinger4939
    @robertbolinger4939 Жыл бұрын

    So does your 3020 have two, 12 volt batteries? I’d like to switch mine to an alternator. Thought I needed a 24 volt system. Can that one 12 volt alternator charge both my batteries? If so, how do I hook it up?

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    Жыл бұрын

    It only has one 12v battery. But my 4430 has two 12v batteries running a 12v system. You want to hook your batteries up in parallel. Ground to ground and hot to hot. This still gives you 12v but doubles and cranking amps. And yes, one alternator will charge both batteries

  • @AgWildNebraska
    @AgWildNebraska2 жыл бұрын

    Wonder how many hours that ol generator run.

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    The tractor is showing 6820 hours and the tachometer works. Don't know if it's original or the hours are correct. But it's ran a few for sure.

  • @eddygoodwin7089
    @eddygoodwin7089 Жыл бұрын

    Do some of the 3020s have a 24 volt system?

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm not sure but I think you are right. This one is 12v but I thing they did make some that were 24v. Thanks for watching!!

  • @SoybeanFarmer3300
    @SoybeanFarmer33002 жыл бұрын

    I don't know if I would put that generator back on there alternators just do a lot better job and have a better output.

  • @stinsonfarms6724

    @stinsonfarms6724

    2 жыл бұрын

    AS long as I'm using it I will leave the alternator on it. It's in such good shape I would like to keep it original. Alternators are better for sure. Thanks for stopping by!!