Ford 4600 Alternator question

Discuss tractors here

Topic author
fordford
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:20 pm
Real name: Pat Nolan
Has thanked: 3 times
Flag: Ireland

Ford 4600 Alternator question

Post #1 by fordford » Mon May 15, 2017 6:11 pm

Hello All,
A Ford4600 has an alternator fitted.
When you have the tractor running the dashlight for the alternator goes out ok, but the output voltage only rises to 12.70 volts, even at fairly high revs.
Is this as good as it gets I wonder, or should I have the alternator checked on a bench.
Regards and Thanks to all. 15-5-2017


Jeremy Rowland
Moderator
Posts: 8662
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:36 pm
Real name: Jeremy Rowland
Has thanked: 1865 times
Been thanked: 1684 times

Re: Ford 4600 Alternator question

Post #2 by Jeremy Rowland » Mon May 15, 2017 9:29 pm

Hi Pat and welcome to CMN :wave: sounds like you have a problem there as the output from the alternator should be around the 14.2 to 14.5 volts, what state is the battery in before you go looking at the alternator, does it hold a good 12.5 to 12.7 volts okay?

Jeremy


Mrsmackpaul
Posts: 1007
Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 11:02 am
Real name: Paul Griffiths
Has thanked: 384 times
Been thanked: 256 times
Flag: Australia

Re: Ford 4600 Alternator question

Post #3 by Mrsmackpaul » Mon May 15, 2017 9:33 pm

Welcome Pat sounds like the brushes are badly worn on the alternator
What you describe is a very common result as the brushes no longer make a good connection to the slip rings

Paul
Your better to die trying than live on your knees begging


hair bear
Posts: 978
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:14 pm
Real name: Rob
Location: Hampshire
Has thanked: 189 times
Been thanked: 278 times
Flag: Great Britain

Re: Ford 4600 Alternator question

Post #4 by hair bear » Mon May 15, 2017 9:40 pm

Hi Pat, welcome along.
Do you know if it's it the original alternator? Some after-market types will fit but the pulleys are sized for a petrol engine running at higher revs so your Ford wouldn't really be spinning it fast enough.
If a LandRover doesn't leak oil, it's run out.


Topic author
fordford
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:20 pm
Real name: Pat Nolan
Has thanked: 3 times
Flag: Ireland

Re: Ford 4600 Alternator question

Post #5 by fordford » Mon May 15, 2017 10:26 pm

Jeremy Rowland wrote:Hi Pat and welcome to CMN :wave: sounds like you have a problem there as the output from the alternator should be around the 14.2 to 14.5 volts, what state is the battery in before you go looking at the alternator, does it hold a good 12.5 to 12.7 volts okay?

Jeremy

Hello Jeremy, thanks for your support, The alternator is a new store bought one , I'll make sure the Batt is in top form and then check the Alt. Output Volts again. Another kind responder suspected the pulley size might be in question.!!
Thanks to the other lad also but as the Alt. is new I.d say the brushes are unlikely to be bad.
Thanks again all,
Regards Pat.


hair bear
Posts: 978
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:14 pm
Real name: Rob
Location: Hampshire
Has thanked: 189 times
Been thanked: 278 times
Flag: Great Britain

Re: Ford 4600 Alternator question

Post #6 by hair bear » Mon May 15, 2017 10:54 pm

Was the previous unit completely stuffed or did it have a similar issue? It's also worth bearing in mind that it is unlikely, but not impossible for a new unit to be faulty.
Let us know how you progress, and it doesn't matter if it's a working machine or a restoration project some pics of the beastie are always appreciated.
Rob.
If a LandRover doesn't leak oil, it's run out.


Mrsmackpaul
Posts: 1007
Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 11:02 am
Real name: Paul Griffiths
Has thanked: 384 times
Been thanked: 256 times
Flag: Australia

Re: Ford 4600 Alternator question

Post #7 by Mrsmackpaul » Tue May 16, 2017 1:09 am

check conections and the regulator may be crook
I am assuming its a solid state regulator ?????


Paul
Your better to die trying than live on your knees begging


Mrsmackpaul
Posts: 1007
Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 11:02 am
Real name: Paul Griffiths
Has thanked: 384 times
Been thanked: 256 times
Flag: Australia

Re: Ford 4600 Alternator question

Post #8 by Mrsmackpaul » Tue May 16, 2017 1:11 am

if you take a photo of the regulator and the alternator we should be able to tell you were to test and what to test

Paul
Your better to die trying than live on your knees begging

User avatar

RichardJW~
Posts: 776
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:41 pm
Real name: Richard
Location: Devon. U.K.
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 46 times

Re: Ford 4600 Alternator question

Post #9 by RichardJW~ » Thu May 18, 2017 10:45 pm

be aware that the Fords had an alternator cut-out built in the bottom of the battery tray, it sensed when the battery was getting warm and shut down the charging. Just be sure its not failed.


Return to “Tractors”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest