Even the upgraded alternator.has limits

[escavader]

Could have a bad cell in the battery. Make sure the belt isn't slipping and the alternator is putting out. My bets are with the battery......

JOhn

JOHN,
What is the best way to test the alternator?Ihave a harbor frieght battery and alternator tester[with load check] Wher should i put the leads,on the battery while its running?Idid that tonight got 10 volts ,shut off tractor still got 10 volts.ALT BELT is tight.

 

[rdsaustintx]

did you just upgrade your alternator? if so, check the output connection. just a random suggestion, but mine came loose about 5 hours after the alternator upgrade. lotta vibration there.

 

[johnk]

JOHN,
What is the best way to test the alternator?Ihave a harbor frieght battery and alternator tester[with load check] Wher should i put the leads,on the battery while its running?Idid that tonight got 10 volts ,shut off tractor still got 10 volts.ALT BELT is tight.

The shunt usually attaches to the alternator terminal and will give you the amps the ALternator is putting out. . It's been quite a while since I used one but I'm sure someone on here will know for sure..

 

[Mike Costello]

Try this:



Disconnect battery cables from battery(leave battery in tractor)
Recharge battery for at least one to two hours and retest. Load test with your tester for a minimum of 15-30 seconds. Battery should not drop below 9.6 volts. Replace if it can't pass this test. Reason: The battery is the heart of the electrical system and MUST be in good shape, otherwise true readings are suspect.
Alternator--most alternators will keep a good battery charged. Higher amp alternators just do a little better job. Alternator should be putting out 14V-14.5V at medium idle. Any voltage higher than that will cook the battery. Constant use of a bad battery can cause the alternator to fail (usually blown diodes) because it can't keep up.
In my automotive experience 90% of the time it usually turns out the battery is either worn out or becomes defective. Thats why its important to have a known good battery.

 

[638]

Check the main fuse off of the altenator. You may have cooked it trying to keep up with all of you lights, etc.

 

[escavader]

Check the main fuse off of the altenator. You may have cooked it trying to keep up with all of you lights, etc.

Ron ,
Idid this allready did a continuity test on them fuses they are fine.
The head mechanic in our shop [350 trucks on road each day,hundreds of lift trucks etc]says his guess would be a bad plate in the battery .Battery wont take a charge when its jiggling around,when its still it does.Wether it is or not,he thinks its definately the battery,wants me to put in a different one and try it.He says alternator should put out a constant 14 something volts and where its been all over the place ,he thinks its the battery.Iasked if it could have a bad regulator for the inconsistant voltage,he said hes never seen it on a new alternator,and that a bad battery does some real weird thingsIasked my neighbor whos head mechanic in another shop,his vote is battery too.Alot of you voted battery ,so im swapping it out to a known good one[from my plow truck.]Idid call where i bought the alternator and told them of my issues before my 30 day warrenty runs out.Will keep you posted
ALAN

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Escavader, what was the cost of your upgraded alternator? Kubota or aftermarket?

Thanks...

 

[escavader]

Escavader, what was the cost of your upgraded alternator? Kubota or aftermarket?

Thanks...

200- I think it wAs KUBOTA KIT in the salesmans book,not in the parts dept COMPUTER as a kit,but you could order the peices.Kind of strange
ALAN

 

[BobRip]

While you have the old battery out, put a charger on it. If it does not come up to 12.5 volts after the charge, then it is definitely bad. If it's erratic then you don't really know if is good. A swap out test (which you are doing) is good to, but if you have the charger then why not.

 

[escavader]

While you have the old battery out, put a charger on it. If it does not come up to 12.5 volts after the charge, then it is definitely bad. If it's erratic then you don't really know if is good. A swap out test (which you are doing) is good to, but if you have the charger then why not.

BOB RIP,
Its fully charged now ,i believe it is at that.The way my mechanic friend explained it to me,with a bad plate .Ican fully charge on top only,but the bottom of the cell could be dead.SO it may read fully charged ,but its not.Ijust think its crazy ,it worked fine with the DYNAMO.but i didnt have my cab then,and didnt use much power.Tractor is onlyabout 4 years old ,but thats about all i get out of my riding mower batterys .Iworked the tractor to death this year doing loader work,i could have a broken plate?
ALAN