DK 35 No power to dash, no start, battery good, batt connection good

[ritcheyvs]

I did not address all of your questions. So..
1) The battery is now 7 or 8 years old...could that still be the problem? Yep I'm going to buy a new battery which will answer that question but would be good to hear your thoughts.
That is on the old side but could be OK. Take the batt to a car parts place and they'll test it for you
2) Is a car battery (correct voltage & Ah) OK or do I need a more specialist battery??
Any car battery should be OK if the right size, CCA rating, and voltage. But an AGM battery may be worth the extra cost if your machine sits unused for long periods. Batteries die because they sit ad a discharged state. AGM batts have much lower self discharge rates (and seem to tolerate discharge better). On the other hand, if you have commercial power where you store the tractor and get a battery maintainer like Battery Minder and any battery will be OK for a long time.
3) I can't find the slow burn fuse despite having the workshop manual which states its taped to the cable run near the alternator.....not on my tractor! Any knowledge on that?
Mine is taped to the wire bundle by the starter, not the alternator.
4) has anybody taken the dash cowl off? Not covered in the manual other than reference to 2 screws in the engine compartment!
On my DK45 the panels below the dash/instrument panel come off and you access from below.

 

[Adlox]

Thank you ritcheyvs and midniteoyl for the help , really appreciate your thoughts.

Spent some time today going through everything.....

Tracked down the slow burn fuse, tested it and confirmed not the problem.
Tried a replacement battery, again no power anywhere so not the problem.
Eventually found a problem in the area of the main fuse panel and adjacent cable loom. Can't be more specific yet, will need to work through everything to clean and reseat every connection / cable but basically pushed the fuse box and cable loom to one side "fixed" the problem. Went for a test drive all ok and has stopped / started 3 times ok. So looks like a loose or dirty connection is that area.
Pleased with that as at least I can work through that area to make sure everything aok!

Fingers crossed that'll have saved me an expensive session for the tractor diagnosing the problem at the Kioti dealership!

Thanks again for your support

 

[ritcheyvs]

Here's weird trick you can try. In the dark, turn on a load (like headllights) and wiggle the suspect wires while you look for a spark. Drape the headlight with tarp if too much light.

 

[Adlox]

Good tip ritcheyvs, thanks