9 Pin Elimination

[grinchsr 629]

I am going to replace the connector and just use male/female connectors on the wires but I am looking for advice on which would be a good connector to use.  I know it's been done before by a few members here.

[squonk 41,171]

I had a 520. I bought 2 4 way flat trailer connectors with the long pigtails. Cut the wires in the middle of them and made 4 long pigtails I connected one side of the connectors under the fuse block and moved the actual male/female connection to the other side of the tractor away from the battery fumes and exhaust heat. The original 9 pin only uses 8 holes.

 

Edited August 27 by squonk

[Ed Kennell 38,329]

I really question the need for a connector.  I wonder how many times this connector is used during the life of a tractor.

To replace that connector with another connector requires introducing two additional connections or splices.

If I ever need to replace mine, I think I'll just cut it out and solder and shrink tube the wires together.    Pretty easy to unsolder if I would ever need to remove the engine.

 

              

[953 nut 55,393]

The nine pin is an Onan thing.  The engine arrived at Wheel Horse with the nine pin in place and it save a few steps on the assembly line. Unless you plan to swap engines around there is no need for the connector.

[Ed Kennell 38,329]

Maybe a bit off topic, but this reminds me of a problem I had when I bought a new Jeep Wagoneer back in the day.     For no apparent reason, it had a habit of just shutting down.     After jiggling a couple wires to get it started, I realized a six pin connector was the problem.    I cut it out and soldered the wires.   It never quit again.

About a year later I got a recall from AMC to replace the connector.  Seems the female sockets were brass and the male pins were aluminum causing the corrosion.

[grinchsr 629]

I have to wiggle the wire to get the battery to charge 

[rmaynard 15,535]

Most Wheel Horse things (electrical included) seem to have lasted more than 50 years. Newer things like the 9-pin connectors seem to have a life of maybe 30 years. However, in my case, being 74 years old, if I were to replace a 9-pin connector today with an original style, it should last until I'm 104. I don't think I'll care at that point. Replace it with another 9-pin Molex connector.

[lynnmor 7,321]

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

I really question the need for a connector.  I wonder how many times this connector is used during the life of a tractor.

To replace that connector with another connector requires introducing two additional connections or splices.

If I ever need to replace mine, I think I'll just cut it out and solder and shrink tube the wires together.    Pretty easy to unsolder if I would ever need to remove the engine.

 

              

On two of my tractors I did just that.  To swap the engine just remove the wires where they connect to the engine, there is no need to unsolder if the wires aren't trapped on the engine, there are a few that can be rerouted so they are not trapped.

[grinchsr 629]

Thanks for the input it sounds like tinning wires is the way I am going 

[johnnymag3 2,520]

2 hours ago, grinchsr said:

I have to wiggle the wire to get the battery to charge 

ONAN........  Oh Man.....   say no more !!!!!!    

[lynnmor 7,321]

1 hour ago, johnnymag3 said:

ONAN........  Oh Man.....   say no more !!!!!!    

Onan didn't make or specify the wires. 

[Ed Kennell 38,329]

3 hours ago, grinchsr said:

Thanks for the input it sounds like tinning wires is the way I am going 

Excellent,  eliminate a questionable connector instead of adding two more connections.

[Bill D 1,927]

I'd use 4 and 5 pin Packard connectors.  I also snake a wire thru the engine harness and run it directly from the rectifier to the battery positive on the starter.  Add an extra fuse if you do this.

[squonk 41,171]

Molex connectors are an issue with just about anything built that uses them. HVAC equipment have them every where and it's the first thing I check when something won't run. They belong in a circular file. 

[johnnymag3 2,520]

 

 

but this part is...........

The nine pin is an Onan thing.  The engine arrived at Wheel Horse with the nine pin in place and it save a few steps on the assembly line. Unless you plan to swap engines around there is no need for the connector.

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Edited August 28 by johnnymag3

[lynnmor 7,321]

1 hour ago, johnnymag3 said:

 

 

but this part is...........

The nine pin is an Onan thing.  The engine arrived at Wheel Horse with the nine pin in place and it save a few steps on the assembly line. Unless you plan to swap engines around there is no need for the connector.

•  

 

•  

I guess that Onan could have refused to install the connector that Wheel Horse specified and lost the business.

[cleat 6,098]

On 8/27/2024 at 8:18 AM, grinchsr said:

I have to wiggle the wire to get the battery to charge 

The early 520's had the charge wire go from the regulator directly to the battery wire on the starter solenoid with a 30 amp inline fuse.

 

I don't know why the change to putting all the charge current through the 9 pin but I convert all of mine to the early style and have never had a 9 pin fail.

 

I keep the 9 pin connector so I can swap engines between machines if need be.

 

[Lee1977 6,682]

I soldered the power wire and the start wire left the rest in the 9 pin on my 520.  Replaced all the rusted safety switches. Added an electric fuel pump it has given  me and trouble

The lights quit working  but I quit before dark about 4:30 or 5:00.