Voltage Problems.....

[jlinn1]

I recently bought a YM 1610D, when running just the engine my multi-meter says its running 12.52 Amps, when the headlights are on the meter will drop 1/10 of a point every second and with the rear fender light on it will drop even faster. My local auto store says the battery is good after a quick load test, but says the alternator should charge at least 13.0 Amps with the lights on so as to not drain the battery......Could this be the alt? Or the voltage regulator? Any ideas would help.........

 

[BobRip]

I recently bought a YM 1610D, when running just the engine my multi-meter says its running 12.52 Amps, when the headlights are on the meter will drop 1/10 of a point every second and with the rear fender light on it will drop even faster. My local auto store says the battery is good after a quick load test, but says the alternator should charge at least 13.0 Amps with the lights on so as to not drain the battery......Could this be the alt? Or the voltage regulator? Any ideas would help.........

I think you mean "volts" and not "amps" in the discussion above. Try raising the engine rev to operating speed and check again. Check the voltage at the battery terminals. Alternators cannot put out much power at idle. If it still does not go up to at least 13.8 volts and you have a good multimeter then you probably have a problem. However, if the battery is staying charged and starts you engine fine in cold conditions then everything is fine. Remember as long as the battery stays charged then the alternator is doing its job. Running a lot of load for a long time at idle will run down most alternator driven electrical systems. You should also test for a loose/slipping belt.

 

[jlinn1]

Yes I did mean Volts, sorry typo. As far as the testing procedure, I ran the multi-meter with the engine running at 1500 RPMand again at 1800 RPM with the same result. When running with the lights on at night for 60 minutes it is sufficient to run the battery down enough to not have enough juice to start the engine back up. I also thought of the fan belt, and it was within limits, according to a mechanic friend.

 

[clemsonfor]

not saying it could not be the alternator, but the voltage regulator goes out more often. It is probably behind the dash on the other side of the metal panel behind the fuel tank. Id check this, and do testing on the alternator also, but if i had 1 think i could guess id say the voltage regulator.

Go to hoye tractor a sponsor of this board and look up you tractor, he has parts diagrams which will show you where its located and then you can see the relacement cost.

 

[BobRip]

Yes I did mean Volts, sorry typo. As far as the testing procedure, I ran the multi-meter with the engine running at 1500 RPMand again at 1800 RPM with the same result. When running with the lights on at night for 60 minutes it is sufficient to run the battery down enough to not have enough juice to start the engine back up. I also thought of the fan belt, and it was within limits, according to a mechanic friend.

Yeah, looks like the regulator or alternator. My guess it's the regulator since even when unloaded the voltage is too low. Usually if its the alternator it puts out nothing or it drops with increasing load with the engine reved up.

 

[jlinn1]

Thanks for the ideas Bob Rip! Ill give the regulator a try and see what happens!!

 

[normde2001]

You can test by unplugging the regulator and briefly checking the alt. output for 22-30 vac. if there, bad reg. , if not could be alt. or both. Regs. are $pendy, ($75-$80, plus shipping), and probably not returnable.

 

[clemsonfor]

if you did want to throw parts at it, and it wasent the reg you could sell the extra on ebay or here if there is a for sale forum, and recoup 2/3 your money maybe. That being said do the trouble shooting, dont throw more parts than you have to at something

 

[BobRip]

You can test by unplugging the regulator and briefly checking the alt. output for 22-30 vac. if there, bad reg. , if not could be alt. or both. Regs. are $pendy, ($75-$80, plus shipping), and probably not returnable.

Good idea. Where do you connect the meter for 22-30 VAC.

 

[bruce1966us]

connect the meter to the 2 wires coming off the alt. check at 1500 rpm.