Electrical Question

[Bob P]

Ok... it's time to use my resources-- The Tractor By Net gang--

My Little workhorse has to be jump started!

On an LB-1914 should I be able to meter some type of output on the Alternator.
(two leads coming off of alternator).

Dash indicator currently lit
All fuses seem OK


Any idea's???

BOB
(first time poster-- long time reader!)

 

[zenmek]

Welcome to TBN Bob

A quick and easy way to check your alternator is to put a meter across the battery and record the Voltage (not running) Now get the tractor started (run @ about 1800 rpm) and check the voltage again. Not running usually around 12~12.6 Volts, running @ 1800 rpm around 13.5~14+ volts. Good luck .

Will

 

[TractorLegend]

silly question- is the belt on?

 

[Bob P]

Thanks guys-- I'll meter out this morning, The belt is on (and is tight).

What's the worst case scenario?-- Replace alternator?-- Anything else I should look for- is their a voltage regulator or another part in the system that I should look for?

Thanks again

BOB

 

[ToadHill]

Not sure how the 20 is set up but most have the regulator built into the alternator.

 

[DIRTCUTTER]

After you jump start it and run it a while then turn it off. Will it start or do you have to jump start again each time.

 

[virgil]

you need a regulator. Part # t2305-65602

 

[John47]

First and foremost CHECK your battery! Put it on charge for an hour or two, then try and start the tractor.
It may be that there are internal problems like a loose plate interconnector that makes you think it's being charged by the alternator.
If I suspect a battery, I attempt to charge it for several hours than load test it with a battery tester, that shows exactly what condition a battery is in! They are fairly cheap and well worth buying!

 

[virgil]

john47 is correct. check and charge your battery first... clean all cables and clean the ground.

we have had the Kioti for many many years now... the only altinator that was bad came off of a machine that had caught on fire. We do sell a few regulators each year.

 

[Bob P]

Guys-- thanks for all the input. Everything is pointing to the battery. I'll get a new unit on payday and see how it goes. Does everyone have a favorite battery?
It's an Interstate battery in the unit (it was never marked with date code!).
What's the rule-- more CCA the better?

I'll put some new terminals on as well. I cleaned the current terminals and also where the ground screws into the frame. With a new battery and terminals-- I think I'll be back to turning the key instead of using jumper cables!

BOB

 

[John47]

Believe me Bob, batteries can cause all sorts of problems! I personally had one fail on me in a car on the way home from a nightshift once, I'd got to my town, stopped to pick up the morning paper and mail from the post office, got back in the car and tyrned the key...nothing! One of the interplate cells connection had come loose, I opened the battery up later to find out why it was accepting a charge etc but why I couldn't "pull a load" on it.
I also worked with heavy duty auto batteries in hard rock mining machines where batteries took a real beating!
I'd still load test the battery or have an auto parts specialist load test it for you to make sure Bob!

 

[mrutkaus]

Interstate is generally a good battery, have one in a 2000 Corolla for 7 yrs, still good. However as Consumer Reports says, the quality lies not in the brand but in the individual battery; some sizes within a brand are good, some aren't.

Higher CCA batteries are made with closer spaced plates. These close plates can break/touch, making a bad cell/battery.

It is possible, and has been told me by a local battery store guy, that a more old fashioned, lower CCA battery may last longer in a tractor with its vibration, bumps, etc.

Mike

 

[Bob P]

O.K.-- I stopped at the Interstate Battery store (regional operations center)-- they took my 6 year old Battery on trade and sold me a "gently" used unit. Brought it home and it started up the Kioti-- no problem!

I still have a the center dashboard "idiot" light lit- Is this telling me anything?

Should I go back and meter the battery with no motor running-- and then meter with the motor- to check alternator output?

BOB P.

 

[SPYDERLK]

O.K.-- I stopped at the Interstate Battery store (regional operations center)-- they took my 6 year old Battery on trade and sold me a "gently" used unit. Brought it home and it started up the Kioti-- no problem!

I still have a the center dashboard "idiot" light lit- Is this telling me anything?

Should I go back and meter the battery with no motor running-- and then meter with the motor- to check alternator output?

BOB P.

Yes, its saying your alternator isnt working. Did you ever meter the battery running and not running as suggested way back -before you changed your battery? Startup with a new charged battery just means your starter works.
larry

 

[irwin]

O.K.-- I stopped at the Interstate Battery store (regional operations center)-- they took my 6 year old Battery on trade and sold me a "gently" used unit. Brought it home and it started up the Kioti-- no problem!

I still have a the center dashboard "idiot" light lit- Is this telling me anything?

Should I go back and meter the battery with no motor running-- and then meter with the motor- to check alternator output?

BOB P.

Signs now point more clearly to a charging problem, I'd take a hint from that Kioti dealer that suggested the regulator ...{ "you need a regulator. Part # t2305-65602" ....posted by Virgil .}.... perhaps you could buy it from your dealer, or on line ..... anyway ya got a newer battery now, they don't last much longer than 6-8 years anyway..good luck

 

[virgil]

regulator.... battery is ok..wires and cables and connections are ok...
put a regulator on it.

 

[Bob P]

Sorry for the delay and the cryptic clues to this issue.

Put the meter on the unit tonight-- 12.5 volts

Started the Kioti-- it dropped down to 12.38

Checked all cabling- cleaned terminals etc... no change.

Is it leaning to the regulator?

BOB P

 

[irwin]

Sorry for the delay and the cryptic clues to this issue.

Put the meter on the unit tonight-- 12.5 volts

Started the Kioti-- it dropped down to 12.38

Checked all cabling- cleaned terminals etc... no change.

Is it leaning to the regulator?

BOB P

That's a big yes Bob, go ahead and call on a price for that regulator..good luck..

 

[SPYDERLK]

Sorry for the delay and the cryptic clues to this issue.

Put the meter on the unit tonight-- 12.5 volts

Started the Kioti-- it dropped down to 12.38

Checked all cabling- cleaned terminals etc... no change.

Is it leaning to the regulator?

BOB P

At this point it could be either the regulator not feeding appropriate Voltage to the alternator Field Coil so the alt can generate power, or actual problems with the alternator itself. If there is a terminal on the alt marked "F", you should measure several volts from there to ground with everything connected and the engine running if the regulator is working. The next thing is tosee if there is actually current flowing into the Fld coil by removing the wire and seeing if it sparks when you reconnect. If the Fld is drawing current and youre not getting alt output, its the alt diodes or a stator problem. Sorry the info is so general. I think Virgil has specific experience with your model

 

[John47]

Bob, it looks like your alternator must have seen an open circuit in the battery at one time. When this happens there is no way the regulator could see a reference voltage, so therefore the alternator voltage rose to a point where it blew either the diodes in the regulator/alternator pack, or the transistor in the regulator circuit. Seen that happen thousands of times.
All you can do is replace the regulator/alternator if it's built in. I have never seen windings on an alternator burnt out due to open circuiting the charging circuit.

But at 6 years, you've had a good life out of that battery!

Check the voltage at the battery with the engine running, it should be 13.8volts approx, might be slightly higher. If below 13, then you have an alternator/regulator problem, probably caused by the bad battery.