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Battery Charging Problems - What's Next?

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RandyMcC

12-27-2003 13:49:20

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Hello all, I have followed the advice on the forum and I am still having charging problems on my '50 C. My battery is always low unless I do a 2amp charge overnight. When the engine is running at half throttle/higher the ammeter indicates a positive charge, however the ammeter needle oscillates wildly. When the engine is not running and the ignition or lights switch is on the ammeter shows discharge and the needle is steady. The problem is not related to engine vibration. Any ideas on what my problem is?

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John Ne.

12-27-2003 16:04:08

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Re: Battery Charging Problems - What's Next? in reply to RandyMcC, 12-27-2003 13:49:20

I am thinking that there is a bad segment of the copper commutator, which makes the needle jump. should be enough to keep it charging though. any old time mechanic can check the commutator, with a "growler" and for continuity to ground.

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Allan

12-27-2003 15:43:04

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Re: Battery Charging Problems - What's Next? in reply to RandyMcC, 12-27-2003 13:49:20

Randy,

I think you have two problems going on here.

One of your symptoms is the classic "tired 6v battery" syndrome. There is something about those 6v batteries; they just don�t last much over two years. Test the battery; I�ll bet it is bad.

The jumping needle is probably a regulator thing, but it is still trying to charge. Mine jumps all over the place too, but it keeps the battery up.

Allan

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Hugh MacKay

12-27-2003 18:05:39

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Re: Re: Battery Charging Problems - What's Next? in reply to Allan, 12-27-2003 15:43:04

Allan: I beg to differ with you. I have a 6 volt battery in my Super A that has been there close to 11 years. In 11 years it has never had a battery charger hooked to it, nor has it ever been boosted or jump started. I have run 6 volt batteries for many years and always get better service life from them than 12 volt. I can remember having as many as 8 - 6 volt batteries on the go at one time. I can say very rarely did I not get 6 years service from a 6 volt battery. I also live in Canada and my tractors saw a lot of -20F starts. My Farmall 300, 6 volt once started at -40F unassisted by any starting aids.

What most of you people call 6 volt battery syndrome is actually poor cables, poor regulator, poor generator and poor maintainence syndrome.

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Bob M - I agree!

12-27-2003 18:20:33

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Re: Re: Re: Battery Charging Problems - What's Ne in reply to Hugh MacKay, 12-27-2003 18:05:39

Hugh - My experience is similar to yours....6 - 7 years can be expected from a 6 volt battery, and I've had 'em last 10 years and longer. Trick is to keep them charged (but don't overcharge), don't allow the electrolyte level to get low and don't subject them to too excessive vibration.

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Allan

12-28-2003 06:39:40

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Battery Charging Problems - What' in reply to Bob M - I agree!, 12-27-2003 18:20:33

Thanks Guys,

I've probably been buying the wrong (read: cheaper) batteries.

Allan

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Hugh MacKay

12-28-2003 08:06:36

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Battery Charging Problems - W in reply to Allan, 12-28-2003 06:39:40

Allen: There are all kinds of cheap batteries around, all thway from AAA to 12 volt. Not a 6 volt exclusive.

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Haas

12-27-2003 15:24:42

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Re: Battery Charging Problems - What's Next? in reply to RandyMcC, 12-27-2003 13:49:20

Does the battery stay up when the tractor is not running and the battery has a full charge? If it does not, then I would say your battery is bad, or possibly the voltage regulator. Also, as Bob noted, the the voltage regulator mounting feet must have a good ground. If you mounted the regulator on a painted place on the tractor, this is enough to keep it from working properly. On one of my tractors, I ended up running a ground wire from the regulator mounting foot to a good ground on the tractor.

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Bob M

12-27-2003 14:18:17

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Re: Battery Charging Problems - What's Next? in reply to RandyMcC, 12-27-2003 13:49:20

Randy - Most likely the problem is a bad voltage regulator. However it could be as simple as a slipping generator drive belt, or a bad ground at the regulator.

Punch below for a flow chart that may help you isolate the cause...

troubleshooting chart

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