2305-utility tractor- won't stay running without attaching jumper cables to it!

[JayHo]

SD, thank you too. I would have to try to charge the battery for a while and see what happens. I did attempt that today and when I went back to it I noticed one of the cables fell off. Naturally, it wasn't what I wanted to see and I have no idea of when it slipped off. The tractor did run for about 30 minute on Saturday after a jump start and I was able to cut some fairly tall and damp grass here in Pa but it when it stopped it stopped.
My wife said that when she was using it she thought she smelled something burning. I haven't smelled that myself but I did change the oil because I attributed it to overheating-which this tractor can do. Usually this only happens when mowing shorter, dryer, grass, it cycles around and clogs the filters. Here it's been rather rainy so I don't know if the grill clogged up.
The burning smell was after I replaced the battery but before I replaced the alternator.
Her mowing experience was odd too. When she stopped the mower and went back to it, it wouldn't start. She let it set for 30 minutes went back to it and it did start. She then mowed for another 30 minutes and stopped the mower to put diesel fuel in it and it wouldn't start back up. (She doesn't remember if it cranked or not unfortunately) but she got her car and in jumping it it started. She was able to cut for maybe another 30 minutes and that is when she smelled something burning. She was able to finish the lawn. It was thereafter that I replaced the oil and the alternator. Thanks for trying to help.

 

[gimmodog]

disconnect battery
charge the battery overnight
check battery voltage--should be around 12.8 volts
reconnect battery (hopefully no spark when connecting the cable to post) check voltage again- is it the same or did it drop?
start engine
check voltage at battery again (while engine running)--should be around 13.5-14 volt
if voltage is same or lower than before you started the engine then you have a charging issue

 

[JayHo]

Redlands. I'm sure Napa can check it plus maybe offer some insight as well they are usually pretty knowledgeable there. Thank you.

 

[JayHo]

Atsah.
I did try to use the multimeter with limited success.
The initial reading on the tractor battery was 0. On the operating car 31, on the tractor with the cables connected I couldn't get it above 26. I just ran out of time so I didn't leave the cables connected for more that 5 minutes, maybe 10 tops. I tried to slide them back and forth to make good contact and I think I did. I did not notice sparking while doing this.
To me, I see an unpredictable pattern. Sometimes it runs for 30 minutes, sometimes 3 minutes, sometimes I can jump it regularly and today I couldn't.

In looking over my last post I just want to make it clear that I bought a new alternator.
In proofreading I missed the "I used" part. "I used the alternator I purchased was an AM879144 and it is for a 2305... I don't know..."
It could have been the pale ale that I was enjoying!

 

[JayHo]

Gimmodog, Thanks for chiming in too... I don't have a battery charger but if necessary I will get one. I just thought once I get it running properly it would charge itself. However it may not work that way. Thanx.

 

[atsah]

I am betting on the alternator. even if the battery was defective and you jumped it and had it running, if the alternator was good you could remove the battery and the tractor would stay running.. Every time you get it running it shuts down soon there after which tells me the alternator isn't working, who knows you could have a shorted cell in the battery and the alternator is no good..

 

[Semper Paratus]

The shorted cell and a dead alternator could be related. Drive an alternator too hard the magic blue smoke will eventually leak out. A dead cell on the battery will drive the alternator hard.

 

[JayHo]

Okay..I bought a battery charger and I charged the battery overnight. Without the cables attached I got a reading this morning of 12.4. With the cables attached it was 12.4 again. In starting the tractor it fell to 12.1. And with the tractor turned off again and the cables removed it rose to 12.2.
I'm glad I spent the $50 bucks for a charger to help find that the problem is a charging issue.
Thx gimmodog. (And everyone else too.)
Are charging problems specific to the alternator? Or can a voltage regulator come into play too?
Thank you all!

 

[jsb2b]

Most alternators today have the regulator built in but a search on this shows a separate voltage regulator M807915.

 

[grsthegreat]

With engine running, you should be getting voltage in the 13.1 range, which allows for charging battery. Also, remove ground wire at frame and sandpaper both ends. Reattach and recheck. You would not believe the number of times ive found poor grounding to be an issue