Battery

[MoKelly]

I have a Bobcat CT235. Yesterday, I went to do some mowing and turned on the key, got the dash lights (although faint), waited for the glow plug light to go out and turned the key. I got a faint click, click, click sound. I have heard that before.

So, I get the starter, hook it up and wait a few minutes. Go through process and get the same thing ... only a much louder click, click, click sound.

Shoot. So, I get the car to do a full jump start. Hook everything up and go through the process. This time its a loud click, click, click sound.

I put the battery on a charger for about an hour and still nothing.

I am going to take the battery to be tested this evening. However, my questions are:

1. Shouldn't I be able to jump start the tractor even if the battery is completely toast?

2. I have read here about the battery posts and/or terminals going bad. If those are bad, would I still get the lounder clicks when trying to jump start or would I get nothing?

Thanks for all help.

MoKelly

 

[k0ua]

I have a Bobcat CT235. Yesterday, I went to do some mowing and turned on the key, got the dash lights (although faint), waited for the glow plug light to go out and turned the key. I got a faint click, click, click sound. I have heard that before.

So, I get the starter, hook it up and wait a few minutes. Go through process and get the same thing ... only a much louder click, click, click sound.

Shoot. So, I get the car to do a full jump start. Hook everything up and go through the process. This time its a loud click, click, click sound.

I put the battery on a charger for about an hour and still nothing.

I am going to take the battery to be tested this evening. However, my questions are:

1. Shouldn't I be able to jump start the tractor even if the battery is completely toast?

2. I have read here about the battery posts and/or terminals going bad. If those are bad, would I still get the lounder clicks when trying to jump start or would I get nothing?

Thanks for all help.

MoKelly

I can't comment on the loudness of the click's. I do things by the voltmeter. My first thought would battery with high internal resistance is the problem, but I would prove that by getting helper and voltmeter. Place voltmeter directly on battery terminals and measure voltage then have helper start tractor. I then move out from the terminals to the battery terminal connector clamps and repeat measurement looking for voltage drop that would indicate high resistance joint at that location. Moving out to frame of tractor and starter input bolt. Always looking for where the voltage drop is. You must have a good understanding of the relationship of Voltage, Current draw and Resistance. If the Battery voltage falls no lower than 10.5 volts when the tractor is attempted to be started, then it is not likely the current limiting factor. Another test you can do is measure across wires and look for a voltage rise, This will tell you that the wire is a high resistance now. Wires should NOT be a high resistance.

Now from many many reports, the battery terminal wires on Bobcat tractors are often eaten up inside by battery acid fumes and and fail internally with no outside signs of this failure. This is a known Bobcat/Daedong issue. But like I said the voltmeter would tell the tale in a few seconds.

 

[MoKelly]

Thanks. In the typical problem, do you need to replace the entire battery cable or just the terminals?

MoKelly

 

[k0ua]

Thanks. In the typical problem, do you need to replace the entire battery cable or just the terminals?

MoKelly

I suppose if there was enough slack to cut back to good metal. But likely you would have to replace the whole thing.

 

[MoKelly]

Thank you. I will have the battery tested on Wednesday and go from there. I have never replaced battery cables so it will be a learning experience.

MoKelly

 

[George2615]

It wasn't mentioned but check your ground connection for rust or corrosion. Read your battery voltage. If battery tests out good it's probably a cable or ground problem.

 

[DK35vince]

1. Shouldn't I be able to jump start the tractor even if the battery is completely toast?

Not always.
I know when my 11 year old battery finally died, I couldn't get the thing to jump start.
Load test the battery and check your connections.

 

[oosik]

I have a general rule of thumb. If the battery won't crank the tractor over and its six years old - I'll charge the battery & try again. AT eight years I just replace the battery. I've got too much at stake to be foolin' with old, weak batteries.

About 150 years ago I was plowing the driveway in the dead of winter, about 10:30 pm, for a reason I still haven't determined I stopped the tractor to open the outer gate, the tractor would not restate. It was the coldest darn walk home at -15 deg F with the wind blowing about 15-20 mph - its exactly one mile from the outer gate to my house. I swore that would never happen again - and it hasn't. I don't plow the driveway at night(retired) and I figure a battery can fail after five years for no good reason at all.

 

[k0ua]

I have a general rule of thumb. If the battery won't crank the tractor over and its six years old - I'll charge the battery & try again. AT eight years I just replace the battery. I've got too much at stake to be foolin' with old, weak batteries.

About 150 years ago I was plowing the driveway in the dead of winter, about 10:30 pm, for a reason I still haven't determined I stopped the tractor to open the outer gate, the tractor would not restate. It was the coldest darn walk home at -15 deg F with the wind blowing about 15-20 mph - its exactly one mile from the outer gate to my house. I swore that would never happen again - and it hasn't. I don't plow the driveway at night(retired) and I figure a battery can fail after five years for no good reason at all.

They only fail when you "really" need them. Otherwise they just lay in wait for the opportune time.. they can wait for years.:laughing:

 

[MoKelly]

I had the battery tested last night and it was toast. It is a Bobcat Brand battery and was the 2nd such battery since I have owned the machine. The original battery died after 3 months or so and Bobcat replaced under warranty. I currently have just under 200 hours on the tractor and approaching 4 years.

So, I got a new battery and will put it in this weekend when I go to the Farm. Hopefully that is all it needs and I won't need to fool with any battery cables. I also got a voltmeter so I can diagnose these problems like KOUA suggests rather than go by the loudness of the clicks!:laughing:

I'll post back Monday on the results.

MoKelly