Farm Equipment - Instrument panel on ca getting hot

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Instrument panel on ca getting hot

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=190024
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 9:19am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Instrument panel on ca getting hot

Posted By: Mikestewart
Subject: Instrument panel on ca getting hot
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2022 at 6:37pm

I have an allis Chalmers ca. I have owned this ca for the last twenty years and have not noticed this. Last week the instrument panel started getting really hot. Replaced the ammeter, light switch. battery is charging six and a half to seven volts. Tractor starts and runs good. No frayed or broken wires in the instrument panel. Just wondering what would cause the instrument panel to start getting hot. Any help would be appreciated.

Replies:

Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2022 at 6:48pm

my quess...

The 'hi-lo' charging resistor ( open wire thing....) creates a LOT of heat when charging the battery...

If we knew it's resistance and power rating, it could be replaced with a fancy sealed extruded aluminum version, bolted to case, would dissipate the heat better.

My CA is long gone, otherwise I could figure it out...

Bet Steve in NJ KNOWS !

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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)

Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water

Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2022 at 7:41pm

The resistor is about 3 OHMS...... 6 volts / 3 OHMS = 2 amps .... Thats the normal charge rate for the generator when the lights are OFF...Thats about the only thing in the box that would put out HEAT, unless you have some kind or corroded wire or short.

6 volts x 2 amps = 12 WATTS... or about the same as a tail light, so YES... it will get hot and warm up the surroundings over a period of time.

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Like them all, but love the "B"s.

Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2022 at 9:24pm

Put some isolation in tool box to keep engine heat from coming through. Mice will like it too. Lol. MACK

Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2022 at 9:38am

Coming in late as usual. Ma' man Steve (IL) is on it though. Yup, what he said......The 3 position Headlight/Charging switch is a self grounding switch. Make sure where it mounts in the panel that it's clean of rust and paint, so it makes a good ground. You can also run a wire from the mounting screw that holds the switch in the dash and run it directly to the Battery ground or ground post at the steering column. I always thought that the steering column being round was not a good grounding point myself. To me, going to the engine block or one of the trans bolts would've been a better location for a major ground, but I guess AC figgered that would suffice.......

Steve@B&B

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39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife

Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2022 at 10:08am

I like using this style of resistor

https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/riedon/UAL50-3RF8/3886547" rel="nofollow - https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/riedon/UAL50-3RF8/3886547

totally sealed, EASY to mount, cheap at $6+-.

I know NOT 'OEM' but dang reliable !!

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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)

Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water

Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2022 at 9:23pm

I have found them post don't always ground. MACK

Posted By: Mikestewart
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2022 at 8:19pm

Thank you for the help. I grounded the light switch, replaced all the wiring, just in case there was something wrong that I couldn't see . Starts better than it ever did. Instrument panel still getting hot, but, like you all said, it's from the resistor on the light switch. That little bugger gets will glow red after a bit. Once again, thanks for the help.