RTV 900 Battery or Electrical Trouble

Hellobuster · Sep 9, 2012

Red battery light indicator on dash would come on and eventually would go out after a few minutes of running except the other day and it stayed on so I went to Wal-Mart bought a battery. It fits fine and it has 550 cca so I figured it would be ok. Installed new battery, cranked up and battery light is off-so far everything seem to be fine. Next day go to crank and nothing, not even a clicking sound. Made sure the gear was in neutral-still nothing. Used volt meter and there is less than 3 volts. Used an emergency battery jump and it started. Checked voltage and 13 volts coming in so I have no clue why battery ran down overnight. Anyways, I disconnected battery and charged battery put it back it and started up fine. Turned off and left it for 3 hours, come back and it's dead again!!! How? What would drain a new battery when everything is off? Any ideas appreciated.

Tim

DT86 · Sep 10, 2012

Sounds like you have a parasitic drain.

Try this link. How to Find a Parasitic Battery Drain

Good luck.

KennyV · Sep 10, 2012

I'm wondering why you replaced your battery in the first place.... The red light is an indication that you are Not Charging the battery.... Not that the battery needs replaced.
That would be like replacing the fuel tank on your truck when the fuel light came on....

You need to look into the charging problem, that's likely also where you are 'discharging' ....

Hellobuster · Sep 10, 2012

KennyV said:
I'm wondering why you replaced your battery in the first place.... The red light is an indication that you are Not Charging the battery.... Not that the battery needs replaced.
That would be like replacing the fuel tank on your truck when the fuel light came on....

You need to look into the charging problem, that's likely also where you are 'discharging' ....

I bought the RTV used and the battery was original, so for piece of mind just wanted to be sure I had a strong, new battery going into the winter. The battery light had never come on before so I figured that's a good investment. Also, it is charging after started, so the alternator works.

Thanks.

Hellobuster · Sep 10, 2012

Good info!
Thanks for the input.
Tim

KennyV · Sep 10, 2012

13 volts is Not charging... 14+ volts is charging...
Look at the diode pack in the alternator or the voltage regulator... Also check the cable connections (both ends) .... KennyV

Hellobuster · Sep 10, 2012

KennyV said:
13 volts is Not charging... 14+ volts is charging...
Look at the diode pack in the alternator or the voltage regulator... Also check the cable connections (both ends) .... KennyV

Thanks, I didn't know that. Probably explains the little spark when connecting the negative terminal. Didn't dawn on me then but if diode shorted the battery charge is draining.

robbyr · Nov 10, 2014

Noticed the battery light came on and stayed on on our kubota 900 RTV. Sometimes it would start other times I'd have to jump it off. Assumed it was the battery so went to Tractor Supply and bought another. Problem solved. Until the next evening it wouldn't start. It would jump right off and after I killed it it would start back up right away but after a little while lapsed I'd have to jump it again. Took alternator off and carried it to a woman in neighboring community who works on starters and alternators. She tested it and said it was overcharging. 18 volts. And told me it may have boiled the water out of the battery. Kubota dealership wanted $430 for alternator. Bought one from this lady for $175. And yep the battery wouldn't charge. But back in business now.

tamu94 · Nov 13, 2014

robbyr said:
Noticed the battery light came on and stayed on on our kubota 900 RTV. Sometimes it would start other times I'd have to jump it off. Assumed it was the battery so went to Tractor Supply and bought another. Problem solved. Until the next evening it wouldn't start. It would jump right off and after I killed it it would start back up right away but after a little while lapsed I'd have to jump it again. Took alternator off and carried it to a woman in neighboring community who works on starters and alternators. She tested it and said it was overcharging. 18 volts. And told me it may have boiled the water out of the battery. Kubota dealership wanted $430 for alternator. Bought one from this lady for $175. And yep the battery wouldn't charge. But back in business now.

You can buy a new one for $77 online or Ebay.