Deere 1070 Battery Light on and smells hot

[cyerger57]

Hello,

First post here. I have a Deere 1070 and I was using it to mow with an 8' flail mower. I've used this mower for a number of years. I don't think the issue is because of the mower but thought I'd mention it. I was running through a fallow field and the tractor started smelling really hot so I shut her down. I noticed that the battery light was on before shutting down. I waited about 20 minutes and she started right up but the battery light was still on. Went about 1/2 mile and it started smelling real hot again so I shut her down and waited another 20. She started right back up after and I was able to get to the top of the hill behind my barn so I shut her down and drifted home. I've checked all the fluids and all look good and the smell was more of an electrical smell anyway. I'm assuming it's not the battery because she starts right up each time. I understand electricity but I really don't know where to start looking for the issue.

Any ideas or suggestions would be welcome.

I have the tractor for about 5 years and never a lick of trouble. I do the fluid maintenance myself and she's had regular fluid changes for her entire life. I know the previous owner real well and he introduced me to where he had it serviced. It had regular service it's entire life. Just giving as much info as I can.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Chris

 

[Rick Gent]

Sounds like the alternator is not charging the battery. Check the belt that drives it and make sure it's tight and not slipping. Also check the output of the alternator with the engine running it should be about 13.5-14 volts DC.

 

[GreenYellow]

Do you (or know someone) have a laser thermometer? Run the tractor for a bit until you start to smell the "hot" smell. Use the laser thermometer to try to locate a hot wire or electrical component.

Sounds like a short to me.

 

[k0ua]

The very first thing I would do is take a voltmeter and measure on the battery posts to see what the charging voltage was. It may have lost regulation, and the alternator is overcharging the battery, and causing outgassing of the battery. This may be what you are smelling. Charging voltage should not be much over 14.2 max. These are all just guesses as to what is "smelling hot", But it only takes a few seconds to make this measurement. Keep your eyes and nose open. Oh, and wear safety glasses or face shield when working near a suspect battery or charging problem.

 

[tsmith88]

13.5v to 14.5 is a relatively normal for the charging circuits, anything above that is hurting your battery. Most likely you alternator is overcharging which could be chased by the voltage regulator shorting out which could make the alternator full field itself or the positive brush shorted to ground. If the alternator is fine and you probably have a bad cell in your battery. If it's an older battery your can pull the caps off and do a specific gravity test on each cell (use hydrometer), but it would probably just be easier to replace it if you are positive the battery is the problem.