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

[atsah]

I would be carefull doing this, the surge/spike can damage voltage regulators and any electronics in the system.
Simply measure the voltage at the battery terminal with the tractor running at 2/3's of pto speed,
if you are not seeing over 12V usually 13 to 13.5 volts from your alternator it's bad or you have terrible connections somewhere.
Also you can lay a screwdriver on the rear of the alternator while it's running and the screwdriver should have a magnetic
attraction to the alternator.

We have told the OP how to measure the voltage with a meter and that is the way to do it but, I have never had any issue with removing a battery to any electronic system, ever and I have done it many times..

I would be more concerned about continuing to use it the way it is.. He is obviously running it on very little voltage..

 

[ruffdog]

Those battery tender type chargers are not really meant to bring a battery back from total discharge. They are meant to KEEP a battery at full charge.

One example of charging systems not tolerating a "jump and unhook" was late 70's-80's Suzuki motorcycles. Service bulletins specifically recommended against the practice. Doing so could cause damage to the regulator/rectifier and stator at the cost of hundreds of dollars. If the rectifier diodes allow AC current in the system, the electronic ignition components were also at risk $$$. The saying was: "pay me a little now, or, pay me a lot later".

 

[JayHo]

Well for right or for wrong, I was able to start the tractor promptly without jumping it. I then took the positive cable off of the battery and immediately it stopped.
I continued to charge the battery with the Battery Tender with the positive cable still disconnected and it displayed a solid red and a blinking green light indicating that the battery is over 80% charged. It seems as though the battery is okay at this point.
Again, thank you all.

 

[atsah]

Well for right or for wrong, I was able to start the tractor promptly without jumping it. I then took the positive cable off of the battery and immediately it stopped.

Alternator is junk.. Hopefully you didn't wreck the new battery as well..

 

[LouNY]

We have told the OP how to measure the voltage with a meter and that is the way to do it but, I have never had any issue with removing a battery to any electronic system, ever and I have done it many times..

I would be more concerned about continuing to use it the way it is.. He is obviously running it on very little voltage..

I quit using that method when GM came out with the early HEI's after I lost one,
good luck with your using it,
I am aware he was told how to measure voltage earlier in this posting.
wish him good luck with his alternator replacement

 

[JayHo]

I had replaced the alternator, nothing changed.

 

[ruffdog]

My buddies Harley all of a sudden stopped charging so I checked it out and found his Reg/rec was not good. It was a brand new fancy chrome one he just put on too. I told him he has a choice, either use the ugly black unit that works or use the fancy chrome unit and push your bike. Guess which one he chose?

 

[JayHo]

I did buy a regulator and it is black! I will follow up. Thank you all!

 

[Redlands Okie]

Hope it solves it.

 

[JayHo]

Just to touch base...I did receive a voltage regulator but it was the wrong part.
Thanks again to everybody here.