385 Planter Questions

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   I am starting to putter around with the 4 row Deutz-Allis 385 no till planter that I want to use this year.  I have never used one of these planters, but have the Agco manual (which is not all that helpful). 

I am going to use our D17 IV with it.  However, I don't know if the charging system is up to the task.   The manual says the 2 blowers require 9 amps a piece, and recommends a minimum of a 32 amp alternator. I just got the generator charging system on the D17 working well, finally.  I have kept it as positive ground. 

Will the blowers work with positive ground?  Also, the generator is only 25 amps.  However, since I will only be planting 5-10 acres at a time, I was wondering if I could hang an extra battery on the planter, and charge it separately.  It seems that might help enough to run the blowers for a while, then I could re-charge it before using it again.  

Or, will I have to bite the bullet, and switch over to a neg ground alternator?  

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AllisUpstate Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 06 May 2011 Location: Upstate NY Points: 1261	Post Options Post Reply Quote AllisUpstate Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 385 Planter Questions Posted: 25 Feb 2012 at 3:43pm
	I am starting to putter around with the 4 row Deutz-Allis 385 no till planter that I want to use this year. I have never used one of these planters, but have the Agco manual (which is not all that helpful). I am going to use our D17 IV with it. However, I don't know if the charging system is up to the task. The manual says the 2 blowers require 9 amps a piece, and recommends a minimum of a 32 amp alternator. I just got the generator charging system on the D17 working well, finally. I have kept it as positive ground. Will the blowers work with positive ground? Also, the generator is only 25 amps. However, since I will only be planting 5-10 acres at a time, I was wondering if I could hang an extra battery on the planter, and charge it separately. It seems that might help enough to run the blowers for a while, then I could re-charge it before using it again. Or, will I have to bite the bullet, and switch over to a neg ground alternator?

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Byron WC in SW Wi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Wisconsin Points: 1635	Post Options Post Reply Quote Byron WC in SW Wi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Feb 2012 at 4:04pm
	I'm not an electrician I doubt very seriously they'd work with a positive ground. Last time I bought a fan motor it was NOS and it was over $100 so I'd be careful whatever you do. I would think a new alternator and proper grounding/voltage/amps would be cheaper than replacing the motors. My 385 has a monitor too so that's going to take some power as well. The 385 is a great planter.

AllisUpstate Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 06 May 2011 Location: Upstate NY Points: 1261	Post Options Post Reply Quote AllisUpstate Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Feb 2012 at 6:06pm
	Byron, Thanks for the feedback. I am starting to come around to the same conclusion, that I need to go to neg ground, and might as well add a decent alternator. I have another really dumb question. The 385 is driven by the ground wheels. However, I don't see any particular spring or anything to produce pressure on the driving wheels of the planter. Are they supposed to get enough traction by just hanging down on their own weight?