Need guidance on why my fuel gauge got scorched

[smilinjak]

Nope, the battery is only 2 years old, no need for a charger. That was funny though.:laughing:

A guessnosis about the diode in question; it might be possible that it is the instrument panel voltage regulator that I mentioned back when we first started this mystery search. You will notice that it is in a circuit between the alternator and the instrument panel. Are you certain that your instrument panel is adequately grounded?
If you could email me your tractor and the wiring diagram I might be able to figure this thing out in time for the next census after 2020 ��. Having the machine on hand makes guessing more accurate.
Your alternator output voltage is in the ball park. Rule of thumb for alternator voltage is 13.6 - 14.2
Smilinjak

 

[PILOON]

Heck, new or old I always like to first check grounds as a rule.*
Then a simple trouble light helps to verify continuity in any circuit.

I said 'grounds' but bonding might be a better term especially with transistor circuits.
Often with a bad or week ground you will get proper voltage but under load the voltage drop off a whole lot.

*a proper ground is shiny bare metal to bare connector! Any corrosion or rust is the enemy.
Heck I've even seen internal corrosion inside of some battery cables.
Those woven ground straps often used between frames and engines are another common 'week link'.

 

[MA1920]

Today, 12/8/19, is an awesome day, the Patriots lost :thumbsup: and my gauge saga is OVER!!! Over Thanksgiving weekend I took off the neutral start safety switch and cleaned it. A new one is over $120. I saw a YouTube video where a guy with a 1920 cleaned his switch, so I figured I'd try it. Yesterday I recleaned the main ground. It's shiny now.

I spent about over an hour moving a snow pile yesterday, but the temp gauge wouldn't budge. It was only 23*. Today I covered approximately 80% of the radiator with cardboard and moved more snow and started digging around another stump.

The first pic is from yesterday, second is today. Thank you to everyone who responded. I'm not looking forward to the next electrical gremlin, but I won't be afraid of it, thanks to the advice from the more experienced among us. Thanks again.:thumbsup: