Charging at 16-17 volts

[Coyote machine]

I have found and probably most of you know. But I'm going to say it for those that dont.
A bad battery will KILL a charging system. ALSO.
A bad charging system will KILL a battery.

Now excessive over-charging "CAN" cause a battery to explode. Acid goes everywhere, and when it does you have to find a way to get baking soda in all those places to neutralize the acid so you don't end up with other problems. Not to mention on you or someone that happens to be close to the machine when it goes.

An extreme case. My uncle was killed from a battery explosion in the 70's
He had a huge Massey (around 100 hp.or more)duel rear wheels. The battery was mounted just in front of the steering wheel on the hood. It blew up in his face. He was discing the land with a 3 teir wide, 2 outer that fold down disc. I'm gonna say this thing was 30 feet wide at least. Well with acid in his eyes and all over him and his face he was trying to get off the tractor. (it was still moving) He knew he couldn't jump past the duel rear tires. So raised the disc and jumped off the back. The carrier wheel ran over him.

If you have never seen a battery explode YOUTUBE it.

The thing with batteries.. there is NO warning.
I personally have had 4-5 batteries explode.

Had a customer call 1nce generator wouldn't start. So I go over to check it out. I installed this gen. by the way about 4 yrs prior.
20 hp Kohler Command. Push the toggle, it was a 3 position toggle,Hand, Off, Automatic. (H.O.A.) Anyway, toggle to HAND. KAAA BOOOOOOM !!!!

@#$%&**! Now I gotta get baking soda. FAST !!! Customer not home.
So I leave in search of, Any idea how hard it is to find baking soda quick ! ?
finally get back acid has run everywhere not to mentoin back side of control board from initial explosion. I dumped baking soda in the garden hose and then connected it to faucit and sprayed inside the cabinet. Repeat, and then again.(Until the foaming stops)
Then go buy new battery and install.

Respectfully. Don't wait for this to happen to you. GET IT FIXED. or Don't use the machine.

Letro88, Sorry to hear of your uncle's unfortunate experience/death

Absolutely! Replace the battery with a known good one that has not been exposed to the overcharging. Do the removal of the old battery with gloves, faceshield/ (goggles at very least), and baking soda and hose with water nearby; do the removal outside preferably to dissipate any explosive off-gassing from the overcharged battery. Do not allow any sources of ignition anywhere near the bad battery; including any type of furnace if stored in a barn/garage, smokers or open flames from a torch or any welding, etc.
You CAN"T be too careful with a overcharged (read 'EXPLOSIVE potential' battery).

If it were me I'd find out what the problem with the charging system is BEFORE installing any other battery- the charging system fault makes the risk of a bad outcome too high.

Good luck, be very careful, and post back your findings/solution.

 

[WM75Guy]

A 12 volt battery fully charged should measure between 12.8 - 13.2 volts. With the tractor running the the charge should be 1 volt above the battery voltage to charge the battery. Anything above 14.2 volts is overcharging the battery and will boil the battery dry causing it to fail.

 

[10fords]

Wow! thanks for all the replies! The first thing I'm going to try is a good battery, and if it still charges high I'll replace the regulator after I inspect all the wiring. I had some fairly extensive rodent damage to the wiring to the dash panel that I repaired this weekend. I didn't notice any damage to the engine area wiring but I'm gonna give it a closer look. Also, the area below the battery has quite a bit of corrosion, so maybe this has been a problem for awhile. Assuming I will need some parts, so does anyone have a recommendation for a source on the central coast of California? If not does anyone on this forum sell parts for these machines? I also still want a repair manual, so any leads on one would be appreciated. I will post results when I have them which may be a few days as I am swamped with work for the next few months(which is a blessing in the current economy) and there is no daylite when I leave in the morning or when I get home. Thanks-Scott:thumbsup:

 

[Coyote machine]

10fords,
Your more detailed data on the rodent damage is likely cause and effect on your charging system issues; meaning once you repair ALL damaged parts of the harness your problem will likely be close to being fixed. Try to assume nothing about what the engine wiring may or may not have to do with the problem for now and focus on removing the old battery and throughly soaking ALL areas where the battery leaked acid with baking soda and water. Once that is complete install a working, known to be good battery and check charging volts. Range should right around 14.25 volts DC. If any higher than shut down and replace the regulator. Test again. Once you have a constant range as stated then remove the new battery and go about fixing the damaged metal, once neutralized with baking soda and thoroughly washed with fresh water. Then you can paint the damaged metal to keep oxidation from turning it to dust.
Then reinstall the new battery and verify charging volts.
Done.
You could keep an open can of mothballs near the area where the wiring damage was when the tractor is stored; Rodents do not like mothballs; come to think of it neither do I. And NO I'm not a rodent

As to the parts/manuals: www.michironandequip.com can supply you all of the above as can many other dealers shown on TBN's site.