Author	[Modern View]
Rex J 10-22-2012 19:32:38 68.19.144.117 Report to Moderator	Hi all, I have a 1953 JD 40 that is discharging the battery when the tractor sits idle for a short period of time (overnight or less). When I have the switch off and connect the battery terminals, I get a pretty good sparking, which tells me I have something pulling it down. Does anybody have any idea on where to start looking, or a general troubleshooting procedure? Unfortunately I have classic tractor fever but do not possess the necessary skills to cure it! Thank you for any help, Rex [Reply]   [No Email]
Randy Roberson 10-24-2012 13:00:51 146.130.64.165 Report to Moderator	Re: JD 40 battery discharging in reply to Rex J, 10-22-2012 19:32:38   Agree with the cutout. With a good battery and cold engine (and generator) the generator field will continue to be energized with the engine off and the generator will be warm when everything else is cold, and it will run the battery down. [Reply]  [No Email]
Randy Roberson 10-24-2012 13:00:50 146.130.64.165 Report to Moderator	Re: JD 40 battery discharging in reply to Rex J, 10-22-2012 19:32:38   Agree with the cutout. With a good battery and cold engine (and generator) the generator field will continue to be energized with the engine off and the generator will be warm when everything else is cold, and it will run the battery down. [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 10-23-2012 18:18:16 173.107.193.162 Report to Moderator	Re: JD 40 battery discharging in reply to Rex J, 10-22-2012 19:32:38   i'd suspect the cutout too [Reply]  [No Email]
El Toro 10-23-2012 07:38:36 108.3.143.30 Report to Moderator	Re: JD 40 battery discharging in reply to Rex J, 10-22-2012 19:32:38   Put a master switch between your ground cable and where your battery is grounded. That will isolate the battery from being grounded until you're going to use the tractor again. The military has used master switches for years. Here's what they use. Hal [Reply]  [No Email]
buickanddeere 10-23-2012 07:41:40 184.151.63.145 Report to Moderator	Re: JD 40 battery discharging in reply to El Toro, 10-23-2012 07:38:36   Don't know why you would suggest a cut off switch to stop battery drain from a stuck regulator cut out ? [Reply]  [No Email]
John T 10-23-2012 04:26:05 216.249.82.117 Report to Moderator	Re: JD 40 battery discharging in reply to Rex J, 10-22-2012 19:32:38   If the cutout relay were sticking closed (its supposed to OPEN when you shut down DUH) the battery would discharge rapidly, the genny would get warm, and if the belt were removed the genny would spin like the DC motor it is. If the wires on the BAT or GEN/ARM terminal are removed she stops discharging and/or stops motoring (if belt loose) that says the relay is sticking closed. Heres my Troubleshooting Procedure http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=jd&th=458743 John T John T's troubleshooting procedure [Reply]  [No Email]
Jon Hagen 10-22-2012 20:29:12 69.26.17.61 Report to Moderator	Re: JD 40 battery discharging in reply to Rex J, 10-22-2012 19:32:38   #1 suspect to me would be stuck cutout contacts in the voltage regulator on top of the generator. [Reply]  [No Email]