G1800 Not charging

oldredwheels · May 8, 2014

Help,

Bought my G1800 back in '94 and have kept is pretty well up to date. Just replaced driveshaft (that was fun!!!), dynamo, and stop solenoid in the last round of repairs.

Problem; the tractor is killing batteries. Replaced the dynamo and didn't see any polarity on the connections? Is there?

All the switches seem to be working, brake, seat, pto.

I thought the bad stop solenoid was draining the battery but its still happening. Before I dive into every connection has anyone had this problem?

Haven't pulled the key switch or any fuses, yet because once started (jump or charged) it operates perfectly.

Thanks for the help.

oldredwheels.

powerstroke444e · May 9, 2014

They dynamo produces ac current, I have seen them with bad bearings but not quit working. Usually its the voltage regulator that gives out or burns a pin on the wire harness. Many times the brain box is the issue not the stop solenoid if it moves when power is applied its fine.
1st thing I would check is that it is charging 13+ volts while running wide open.
Happy hunting

oldredwheels · May 10, 2014

Thanks Powerstroke,

The stop solenoid was frozen, got that. Just checked continuity to regulator and good all the way across. Charging is under 13v so I am trying to decide whether to just by another regulator. Charge the battery, mow for a few hours, hook up the charger, repeat. I figure short term it keeps the fuel pump, safety switches, and any controls working.

thx

orw

powerstroke444e · May 10, 2014

Check and make sure you are get +-30v ac from the dynamo (think 30v but it should increase voltage as you increase rpms)to the regulator and also check the plug for the regulator seen several of them burn up and have to rewire the plug.

oldredwheels · May 12, 2014

Got juice, plugs and connections all clean (surprisingly so given the years). Going to pull key switch and check but my read at this point is the regulator isn't pushing any dc into the system. Is doing a pull and check on the key switch worth it?

Presently: Turn the key to run and all functions work, lights, switches etc. Put to Glow plug position, they work and starting is fine. Just no juice when running. I also pulled all the harness connections apart and had good, clean connections all around.

thanks for the online help. its appreciated.

junkyardwarrior · Jun 21, 2014

Need to pull the plug from the regulator, then start the engine. 2 of the wires are same color, they come from the dynamo (alternator). They should be about 15v AC at idle, and 30+ at full engine speed.

Then you're going to want to see +12v to I believe the red wire. Key off. This is the wire that charges the battery.

Also, one wire on the reg is +12v ignition, key on only. This turns the reg on. If no +12v ignition, it will not charge. Check ignition switch and wiring connections.

Then the last wire is ground. Set ohm meter to measure resistance and check the pin on the reg to batt -. Should be no resistance. If there is a bad connection here, it will cause a no charge situation.

It's been a number of years since I've seen or messed with one, but they are great mowers. I'd love to have one instead of the G2160 I have now.