520-8 Wiring Repair

[Bow_Extreme 544]

Well, slowly gaining on a full repair.  This is the mess I took out.  Will most likely be the last of it, I hope.  

[ebinmaine 67,567]

Nothing quite like a nice multi color birds nest.  

[Bow_Extreme 544]

4 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Nothing quite like a nice multi color birds nest.  

Agreed!  Pretty typical on most 520’s.  

[ebinmaine 67,567]

Just now, Bow_Extreme said:

Agreed!  Pretty typical on most 520’s.  

Yessir. 

Some of the 70s rigs we've gotten into had some interesting PO "repairs" on the wiring.  

[Pullstart 62,905]

You da wiring man Matt!  

[Rob J. 1,942]

10 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Yessir. 

Some of the 70s rigs we've gotten into had some interesting PO "repairs" on the wiring.  

I just don’t understand why people mess with original stuff like wiring. It’s one thing to replace a wire because it’s worn or frayed but to turn what once was neat and organized into a rats nest is beyond me. 

[ebinmaine 67,567]

Just now, Rob J. said:

I just don’t understand why people mess with original stuff like wiring. It’s one thing to replace a wire because it’s worn or frayed but to turn what once was neat and organized into a rats nest is beyond me. 

We had a '73 12 Auto here that I was dismantling for parts.  

The ignition switch has been replaced with a 4 position automotive switch and ALL the wires were hacked off at the end. Uninsulated butt connectors everywhere.  

Just. Silly.  

 

The cost of all that garbage was likely twice that(+) of a correct plug n play switch.  

 

 

[Bow_Extreme 544]

22 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

You da wiring man Matt!  

Sometimes…lol

[Bow_Extreme 544]

23 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

We had a '73 12 Auto here that I was dismantling for parts.  

The ignition switch has been replaced with a 4 position automotive switch and ALL the wires were hacked off at the end. Uninsulated butt connectors everywhere.  

Just. Silly.  

 

The cost of all that garbage was likely twice that(+) of a correct plug n play switch.  

 

 

Where would we all be without projects like this?….lol. That’s right, enjoying more seat time and probably buying more tractors…lol

Edited September 21, 2022 by Bow_Extreme

[Pullstart 62,905]

22 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

I just don’t understand why people mess with original stuff like wiring. It’s one thing to replace a wire because it’s worn or frayed but to turn what once was neat and organized into a rats nest is beyond me. 

It seems most “farm repairs” are less than stellar and wait for us to fix ‘em.  Good on you for doing it the right way Rob 

Edited September 21, 2022 by Pullstart

[ineedanother 1,369]

58 minutes ago, Rob J. said:

I just don’t understand why people mess with original stuff like wiring. It’s one thing to replace a wire because it’s worn or frayed but to turn what once was neat and organized into a rats nest is beyond me. 

Look at it as a wiring tuning up. Diagnosing decades-old electrical systems, especially if problems are intermittent, can be painful. Upgrading with new wire and connections is a no-brainer for me when I have the time to do it.

 

[ebinmaine 67,567]

5 hours ago, ineedanother said:

Upgrading with new wire and connections is a no-brainer for me when I have the time to do it.

On the tractors we build I rip out the entire harness and start over. 

It's become a standard operating procedure.  

 

[ri702bill 8,327]

And I only see one toasted connector!! As @peter lena would tell you, now is the time to add additional grounds and use the dielectric grease...

 

[Bow_Extreme 544]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

And I only see one toasted connector!! As @peter lena would tell you, now is the time to add additional grounds and use the dielectric grease...

 

Standard procedure.  All connectors are cleaned, replaced if needed, and packed full of di-electric grease before reassembly.  The engine harness connector is replaced with Deutsch DT & DTP connectors.  The Deutsch connectors are the only not original items on the tractor. I’m trying to keep this one original as possible. 

[squonk 41,141]

I keep my electrician tool bag stocked with wire nuts from Wheel Horse tractors. 

 

I should have T shirts made 

[peter lena 8,634]

@Bow_Extreme https://www.mmnewman.com/product/nylon-heli-tube-spiral-wrap/  regularly use this type of  wire protection , for any wire runs , also do not hesitate to  REROUTE  WIRING  , avoid  tight bends and chafing , WHY NOT ?  also verify  connection / function at every stage , do not  build in a  surprise.  use the battery cable ground bolt point as your secure / verified ground start . DO NOT COUNT on original factory set ups , why ? too many connection spots that can can be rusty , cracked broken , experience talking there ,  make every stage  solid . pete

[peter lena 8,634]

@ri702bill  regularly use those electrical bolt on lugs as a bolt / mount ground go to , there are so many opportunities for ground / electrical failure , its just looking right at you . use those alligator  wire test leads for verify as you go set ups , if you have a bolt , to go to add a  solid connection . my original wiring set ups were at best  at mess , when I  switch on now , its  solidly instant . you know what I mean , pete

[Bow_Extreme 544]

12 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@Bow_Extreme https://www.mmnewman.com/product/nylon-heli-tube-spiral-wrap/  regularly use this type of  wire protection , for any wire runs , also do not hesitate to  REROUTE  WIRING  , avoid  tight bends and chafing , WHY NOT ?  also verify  connection / function at every stage , do not  build in a  surprise.  use the battery cable ground bolt point as your secure / verified ground start . DO NOT COUNT on original factory set ups , why ? too many connection spots that can can be rusty , cracked broken , experience talking there ,  make every stage  solid . pete

This is the wrap I was looking at:

https://www.cabletiesandmore.com/dragon-sleeving?pid=4982

[WHX?? 48,828]

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

On the tractors we build I rip out the entire harness and start over. 

 

Same here EB. Fortunately the sixties tractors I favor have no safety switches and wiring is easy peasy. 

A 520 now a different story. Everything is buried and quite difficult to get at. @dclarke knows he did a frame off 520 and rewired everything. He used Deutsch connectors for some circuits. 

Hats off to Bow for taking on a 520 rewire. BTW guy I have some 520 harnesses if it helps ya. 

[peter lena 8,634]

@Bow_Extreme  have any electronics  shops near by ?  that would be my  check out ,  probably also have the stick on  tye wrap mounts , easily peel and stick on clean paint , how about  a  car radio shop ?  good luck , pete 

[ebinmaine 67,567]

7 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Fortunately the sixties tractors I favor have no safety switches and wiring is easy peasy

Some of mine are from the '60s and some from the mid 70s. Strangest thing is when I'm wiring the ones from the '70s the safety switches seem to relocate themselves somehow. Haven't been able to find them since.

Similar syndrome to when you put six socks in the washing machine and only five come out.

 

But around here there's only adults operating the tractors and only under the supervision of me or Trina on the very very rare occasion someone else gets on it.

I did leave the pedal switch in place on my one Automatic and I also will leave the switches in place on the Wallyho backhoe tractor because I think those two are appropriate to leave them.

 

[dclarke 4,032]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

Same here EB. Fortunately the sixties tractors I favor have no safety switches and wiring is easy peasy. 

A 520 now a different story. Everything is buried and quite difficult to get at. @dclarke knows he did a frame off 520 and rewired everything. He used Deutsch connectors for some circuits. 

Hats off to Bow for taking on a 520 rewire. BTW guy I have some 520 harnesses if it helps ya. 

Jim, I was lucky enough to find a N O S wiring harness for that 520 so it wasn’t too difficult to replace. Otherwise it’s a real pain. 

[cleat 6,034]

6 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

On the tractors we build I rip out the entire harness and start over. 

It's become a standard operating procedure.  

 

Me too. Also a great time to eliminate circuits you don't want and add those that you do.

 

For example, on my last rebuild, a 312H I removed the seat and neutral switches because I mow hills that necessitate me sliding off the seat and have matt's foot control that self centers itself for neutral.

I also added a fuel gauge so that wiring was added at the same time to keep things neat.

 

All of my 520's (5 of them) have had the harnesses pulled and cleaned up as required.

 

Never had an electrical issue since on any of my 8 wheel Horses.

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,567]

1 hour ago, cleat said:

added a fuel gauge

Got any info on that?

[WHX?? 48,828]

1 hour ago, cleat said:

my 520's (5 of them)

Wow and I thought I was a 520 hog.. I had five but give one to Dan just to share the misery. 

Might be mistaken EB but same tank across the 3 4 500s. Take a 520 tank with the sending unit and slide it under a 300 and add the gauge & appropriate wiring.