Looking for suggestions for TS electrical problem

[fishpredator07]

My battery keeps dying after a couple weeks of inactivity. I put a new battery in last December. Other than the obvious, check that the lights aren't left on, etc. could someone make some suggestions as to how I might troubleshoot this problem? I don't think I'm running it long enough to drain the battery so don't think its an alternator issue, but who knows.

I put in a new positive battery cable.

Thanks for the help.

[fishpredator07]

Oh, yeah. Here's a really dumb follow up question: can I use any old comparible car battery or are tractor batteries "special"?

[awlchu]

fish,

A draining battery can be difficult to TS. I'd suggest this:

Have the battery checked under load.

Isolate different curcuits in the tractor. The Easiest is to pull the circuit breaker for a particular 'leg' and see if the battery still drains.

Some Ac-DC alternators use a small wattage to excite the windings. If you tractor has a quick disconnect on the alternator, try pulling it to see if the draining stops.

If the alternator is AC only and uses an external regulator, disconnect the regulator etc. .


Only check for size and CCA (load). Nothing special about a battery.

Brian

[Ken Cunningham]

If the battery checks out ok and the problem persists and you cant find the cause then you might want to look at those cable disconects that norther tool and harbor freight sells. Im not sure what the correct name for them is, but it fits inline with the battery cable and it come with a key that cuts the circuit. I think its mainly used as a theft deterent.

[mlauk]

I would check the alternator first by running the tractor and checking the DC voltage with an ohm meter on the battery posts. It should read around 13.8volts. If it is reading 12 volts, it isn't charging the battery.

[vic4news]

If the battery is dead after sitting for a couple of weeks, you may have a short that is draining the battery. Hook up a 12v light or a voltmeter between the ground cable and the negative terminal. If the light is on or you have a voltage reading with everything off, then you have a short somewhere that is draining the battery.

Vic

[fishpredator07]

Excellent suggestions, thanks to all. I'll have some things to try this weekend.

[George2615]

Like Vic said, use a test light. Disconnect the negative battery post and connect a 12V test light )or a voltmeter) between the post and the cable. With the tractor key off the light should not be lit. If it is then you have a circuit drawing current. Pull out tractor fuses one by one until the light goes out. That will be the circuit draining the battery. Just remember to put the fuses back in the right places later.

[fishpredator07]

OK here's where I'm at:

Tested the battery under load and got 14.3 volts, I assume that means its not the alternator.

With everything turned off, disconnected the negative battery cable and tested, got 10.98 V. I assume that means I have a short. Heading for the fuses now.

You guys are great, thanks.

[fishpredator07]

Here's where it gets weird!!!

Pulled the fuses one at a time and had current(whatever I'm no electrician) with each one removed. 11.x. the "current" never stopped.

Any thoughts or suggestion? Thanks guys.