Alternator can't run lights

[Gusss]

On my new 96 hr. LB1914 the battery crapped out the third time I used it. That was okay, it was about 6 years old.

What surprised me is that with the motor running and the battery disconnected the lights would not come on. Is this some kind of Kioti safty feature, in an automobile the lights would come on.

The idot light on the dash is off so it thinks the alternator is charging even though the battery is disconnected. Since the size of this alternator is so small it must be a trickle charger, that might be why the electrical system might be shut down with no battery load on the circuit.

For those who don't have a 1914 the alternator is about the size of a tuna fish can.

Is there something wrong with my electrical system even though it shows it is charging?

Thanks

 

[DieselPower]

Depending on how the alternator is regulated and if it has a external sense wire it may not charge unless a battery is hooked up to it. Without any external voltage to the alternator it wouldn't suprise me it is not charging and that the alternator light does not come on, the bulb needs power to come on.

 

[carpenter383]

Depending on how the alternator is regulated and if it has a external sense wire it may not charge unless a battery is hooked up to it. Without any external voltage to the alternator it wouldn't suprise me it is not charging and that the alternator light does not come on, the bulb needs power to come on.

Yup that'd be my guess, that's the same reason you can't pull start a truck with no battery, they need at least a small ammount of current to get things going. (After it's charging then you can unhook the batt and it'll keep charging)

 

[Willl]

Where did I hear You could mess up an alternator running without a battery ?

 

[DieselPower]

If the alternator is producing electricity and the battery is removed you have removed it's cushion. When heavy loads are placed on the electrical system that exceed the alternators output the reserve is the battery. Remove the battery and turning on to many accessories could take out the alternator.

 

[Willl]

Where did I hear You could mess up an alternator running without a battery ?

Oh that's right, it was right here.

 

[bluechip]

As a side note, checking an alternator by removing a battery cable on a car or truck is now taboo. Not only the alternator problem, but the computer chips in modern vehciles don't like it either. Simple test is to take a voltage reading at the battery, should be around 12.5 volts (when charged) start the engine, now the voltage should read about 14volts. if it goes up, the alternator is working.

The alternator on the 1914 is very small, but the voltage regulator is very large (compared to more common types). the small alternator sends AC voltage to the regulator and it is converted to DC there. With the diodes in the regulator, the alternator itself can be very small.

 

[DieselPower]

The alternator on the 1914 is very small, but the voltage regulator is very large (compared to more common types). the small alternator sends AC voltage to the regulator and it is converted to DC there. With the diodes in the regulator, the alternator itself can be very small.

You sure about that? The main battery wire connects to the regulator and not the alternator? That would be rather hazardous to be sending AC voltage outside of the alternator. The rectifier is usually located within the alternator. External regulators are common but their sole purpose is to control the power to the rotor thereby controlling the amount of electricity produced by the stator.