charging issue continued and more

new V/R, rebuilt S/G, new 425cca duralast battery, new tru blue belts, rebuilt carb.

when i put my meter on the battery with engine running, it reads 12.5-13V, sometimes 14V.

Sometimes the meter goes nuts and it reads "OL" or 8V, back up to 14V, but mostly 12.5V-is this OK?

all the wires seem tight and the S/G belt is tight.

how do i post photos?

what bulb goes in the taillight?

josh, i think the voltage numbers you have are good. if you can you may double check with another meter. when the generator was rebuilt was it tested for amp output ? should be around 5 amps. does your tractor have an amp gauge? or possibly you can add an automotive type volt meter for constant montoring. tail light bulb number GE 1895 hope this helps out /// tim

I think the numbers look OK too. These systems are mainly designed to just recharge the battery, or run small loads like the lighting system. There's not tremendous output.

I had a tractor that would do the amp needle jump thing occasionally. I never figured out exactly what it was, but I assumed it was the voltage regulator contacts.

Double check all your grounds to make sure they are good. The regulators I've had are rubber mounted and have a separate braided ground wire.

guy who rebuilt the S/G tested and said it was charging great now, it needed an armature and a good cleaning. This was done at a professional alternator shop. Mine does not have an ammeter-wish it did. my regulator has rubber mounts too, i will re-check the grounds (AGAIN). thanks for the bulb info.