I might have a lessons learned situation

[jinman]

Jim,
I went to HF and ended up buying this thing - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices along with this float charger - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices. The one you suggested was pretty good but I already have several 12 volt air compressor and inverters.

Nice! That one has the light and the safety switch. Now, they'll put it on sale for $44 or something like that and you'll wonder why you didn't wait. At least that's my luck.

 

[JC-jetro]

they'll put it on sale for $44 or something like that and you'll wonder why you didn't wait. At least that's my luck.

Jim,

well ... well.. well, now let me tell you what happened there yesterday. I was running behind schedule, needed to get to Manhattan and back before 7:45 as we invited my in-laws for dinner. I still wanted to stop and get the float charger at least. I hurried in, scanned the stuff no more than two minutes, saw yours, thought I want it a bit compact, saw the one next to it, normal price @ $59 and it was on sale for $39. So I picked up the float charger and this thing and hurried to the cashier. There was no one in the line, she scanned and I saw it showed it $59, I said " I think this is on sale", and she goes "you need to have a coupon", at this point I'm counting the seconds so I asked her "what is the warranty on this thing?" and she said 30 days. I quickly started computing I thought I just had a new battery put in, I'm going to put float charger on it, I will not be using the battery starter most likely earlier than 6 months if any and by then the china made battery will go kaput so I said," take that thing off please". She had a pause and looked at me in the eyes and said how about $29? I was a bit surprised and I said "okay".. she gave me a bit of smile and said "I'll just give you extended warranty" and I said "cool", she hesitated a bit more and said "I'll go ahead and give you 15 months warranty instead" .. I said to myself "oh my god.. she's coming on to me".

Any how she charged me $24 for the charger/starter and $3.99 for the float charger with 15 months extended no question return. I promptly scanned my debit card and darted out of the store feeling like a bandit

Last night when I cam home I checked the specs and mine puts our a bit less amp than yours, 400 vs 600, do you think that'll be an issue with a two cylinder diesel? I think probably not.

JC,

 

[audoguy]

JC,

It is rare there is smoke and no electrical damage (unfortunately this is the voice of an experience electrical engineer who has fried way to many things).

I would suggest you check the charging system to avoid perhaps getting stranded. Your new battery has plenty of juice to start your tractor twice and diesels don't need electricity when running.

If you have a clamp current meter you can start the tractor, and check the alternator output. If not you could just start the tractor, turn the headlights on, wiat a while and see if they get dimmer and if the tractor will still start after running with the headlights on for a while.

Just my two cents. I hope you just had smoke without damage, but would hate to see you turn off your tractor in an inconvienient location late one night after running with the lights on and end up stranded.

Glad to hear it was not the starter. Those are big $$$. I replaced mine earlier this year.

SF

 

[JC-jetro]

JC,

It is rare there is smoke and no electrical damage (unfortunately this is the voice of an experience electrical engineer who has fried way to many things).

I would suggest you check the charging system to avoid perhaps getting stranded. Your new battery has plenty of juice to start your tractor twice and diesels don't need electricity when running.

If you have a clamp current meter you can start the tractor, and check the alternator output. If not you could just start the tractor, turn the headlights on, wiat a while and see if they get dimmer and if the tractor will still start after running with the headlights on for a while.

Just my two cents. I hope you just had smoke without damage, but would hate to see you turn off your tractor in an inconvienient location late one night after running with the lights on and end up stranded.

Glad to hear it was not the starter. Those are big $$$. I replaced mine earlier this year.

SF

Hey Audo,

I have not reversed the polarity when I used the charger starter, although manufacture recommended it. I think smoke might have come from the loose battery to charger lead. At work several guys told me that they have at times directly connected their charger/starter to the boats and what have you without the old battery in circuit with no ill effect. I have checks the alternator output and also the rectifier bridge. I had no diode damage and voltage was okay. I don't think the voltage regulator is damaged. I do have Alt light that does not illuminate after engine start. I have done this testing with an old reliable meter that I have that checks the diode damage on the alternator. I have done many alternator repairs (mainly GM, diode trio and voltage regulator replacement) and few others, if I happen to have an issue I'll just deal with it. It was getting dark when I went after work to put the new battery on, so I turned on the lights as well during my 45 minutes work and after I turned the tractor off, I turned it back on and no issue.

It make two of us that the starter was not damaged. One thing that I need to research. I called carquest and the guy told me on the charger starter if the old battery is not on the circuit the charger might reverse the polarity and cause damage.

As an EE do you buy his statement?

JC,

ps. I'm relatively familiar with diesel engine operation, lack of normal ignition and stuff like that.

 

[jinman]

JC, most HFs have a rack with current sales brochures and coupons right in the front to the store by the checkout. I always get one for reference if I don't have it already. I think most stores also have many in-store specials not advertised anywhere. However, it sounds to me like you got the "wink" discount from the sales clerk. So, when are you goin' back to do more "shoppin."

 

[JC-jetro]

However, it sounds to me like you got the "wink" discount from the sales clerk. So, when are you goin' back to do more "shoppin."

Jim,

This is all too funny, I have not told what happened yesterday to my wife yet. She scribbled her name on the extended warranty receipt as well and told me "any issues and let me know.. my name is Christie". By the way, I know where they have coupons and such but i was in a heck of hurry. You know... thinking about it... I'm taking my son back to Manhattan tomorrow, might just decide to stop by

JC,

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks Chris,

So you got a sick carburetor? what are the symptoms? so.. you're telling me you need help!!! what is this world coming to?

JC

It has terminal problems.. so much moisture inthe gas from this ethanol that it's rusty in places that are hard to clean.. like ports near the main jet.. I'm gonna try an acid dip.. but have already repalce dthe carb after a rebuild din't help it..

soundguy

 

[JC-jetro]

It has terminal problems.. so much moisture inthe gas from this ethanol that it's rusty in places that are hard to clean.. like ports near the main jet.. I'm gonna try an acid dip.. but have already repalce dthe carb after a rebuild din't help it..

soundguy

What type of acid? I know once I soaked a carburetor in a carb cleaner more than It was recommended and ended up with a lot of pitting and actual metal removal. Fortunately it did not damage the geometry of the port and the jets were brass and were not damaged. Can it be cleaned in an ultrasonic bath? heat always help, can it be soaked in warmer solvent cleaner in a safe manner?

JC,

 

[Soundguy]

Since I'm dealing with rust, and I don't know of a carb cleaner that eats rust, I may remove all the jets and whatnot and just clean the carb halves in phosphoric acid.. which will eat rust. from what I can gtell though.. I may have already lost metal from rust pitting under the seat areas of the jets.. ind if that is so.. I don't think the carb is salvageable as even with new gaskets and whatnot.. if there are leaks under/around the screw in jets.. then she won't atomize fuel.

soundguy

 

[audoguy]

On the charger topic.....

They definitly prefer to have a battery there, but I don't know too many of them that will reverse polarity automatically. I'm not sure what he was talking about.

Glad to hear it looks like no costly damage!!

Audo