Charging System Super A

Posted a while back about a possible dead battery. It wasn't dead. Charged it back up, hooked it up, polarized the generator, and started it up. Measured voltage across the battery. About 6.2 volts. The ammeter needle doesn't move at all. Increasing speed, decreasing speed, or shutting it off. So is my problem a voltage regulator, generator, or could it be the battery is at full charge so there is no charge going back to battery?

All connections, clean, bright, and tight.

Also, tested the circuit to make sure there wasn't a current draw after the tractor is stopped. Unhooked grounding strap, no current measured across battery circuit (measured from negative post hooked to started to grounding cable unhooked from positive terminal).

Thanks,
John

It's got a charging system problem, with the generator working, voltage at the battery posts should be 7V or a bit more.

I'll take the generator & voltage regulator off and have it tested.

Thanks!

A typical just setting there voltage on a good 6 volt batery is around 6.3 volts subject to state of charge and condition. However if coupled to a good working charging system with the engine at fast RPM Id expect the battery voltage to rise to at least 6.5 and up to the low 7 range depending on battery and genny condition. If it never changes regardless of RPM and the ammeter shows no charge and assuming the battery doesnt have a problem and needs to take on some charge,,,, THE CHARGING SYSTEM AINT WORKIN WELLLLLLL DUHHHHHHHHH

However as the battery charge gets restored (like after a start up it can be a tad down) Id expect the charge rate to be less subject also to if any lights are on.

You dont have to take the genny and VR to a shop to see which of the 2 units are bad, if you run my Troubleshooting procedure test where you essentially by pass any VR or light switch controls and force the genny into its max charge state but she still dont charge, the VR or light switch is out of the equation, so if still no charge its likely the genny at fault.

My procedure also describes how to motor test a genny to see if its good or not. It also tells you how to Polarize the genny.

John T
John Ts Non Charging Troubleshooting

John,

Appreciate the procedure. I'll check it out per instructions and get back to the board when I got it figured out.

Thanks,
John

simple test with the engine running ground the field on the generator if that makes it charge the reg is bad if not the gen is not charging. Check for ground at all componets clear to the lite sw they all need to have a good ground.

I'll give that a try Gene. I'll also clean all the connectors at the switch box. I cleaned all on the battery, generator and reg.

Thanks,
John

Also, tested the circuit to make sure there wasn't a current draw after the tractor is stopped. Unhooked grounding strap, no current measured across battery circuit (measured from negative post hooked to started to grounding cable unhooked from positive terminal).

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That measurement isn't going to show you anything, unfortunately.

To measure current draw, measure between the grounding cable and the positive terminal. That will show if there is any current flowing. The entire battery needs to be in the circuit to show any current draws.