Rhino 3224 no charge

[js2318]

My Rhino seems to have lost charging system. Amp gauge stopped moving, battery voltage slowly going down after each start.

External voltage regulator has 12v in, grounded, but 11.5-11.8 output. Which leads me to believe it is bad. Current version is a FT111, which all I can really find on is that it is 12v in, with cut off at 14v.

Can I replace with one of the following?

JFT149 ( Voltage Regulator / Old Style )
JFT 142A ( Voltage Regulator )

As far as the alternator goes, I should be able to disconnect the field lead coming from the regulator and attach 12v lead from the batter to that terminal. That should momentarily kick on the alternator, correct?

 

[piper184]

It's been a long time since i've messed with an old style regulator, but I think the way to do it is to put full voltage to the Field winding in the alternator for just a moment to see if it will cause it to produce a higher voltage.
The best way to do that is to use a jumper wire from the battery to the alternator. In this case, I think you could just use a screwdriver to short from the + to the F.
BUT, don't do this unless you are sure about it, because I am not that sure to risk someone else's equipment.
A better option might be to pull the alternator and regulator and take it to an auto parts store for testing.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Yes, you can momentarily apply battery voltage to the field terminal to check alternator output. This procedure by-passes the voltage regulator completely so it would be advised to disconnect the alternator output connection and just connect a volt meter to measure voltage, as this puts the alternator into "full field" and has the potential of high voltage especially if your battery is low. Use at least a 16 AWG jumper wire because the field can draw up to 7 amps.