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Patrick Ouellet
06-14-2005 17:45:35
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Re: tractor is eatin up batteries HELP in reply to Possm', 06-14-2005 12:32:17
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Sounds like you are getting bits and pieces of good advice. Lets regroup and take a look at what is happening here. Before your starter and battery eating began was anything done to the electrical system? If something was done backtrack and check to see if this may be causing your problem, remember new parts can be bad and/or simple human error is a possibility. You mentioned the starter had been replaced, could this have been caused by low voltage/amperage? Recommend you have the charging system checked by someone with equipment that is designed to put a load on the system, not just check amperage draw and voltage output with the tractor running under a small electrical load. Most parts stores and automotive electrical repair shops will do this service for a minimal fee at the most, of course the tractor needs to be at the place with the equipment. Is the charging system belt in good condition and is the tension set properly? Have you disconnected the NEGATIVE cable while the tractor is running to determine if the tractor will still run? This will let you know if the charging system is sending the minimum required voltage to run the tractor (not necessarily for charging). Never disconnect the positive cable as mentioned in a previous email, too dangerous when reconnecting. A system that is drawing power from the battery after it has been shut down, as stated in your email, will under normal circumstances accept a charge from a battery charger and resume normal operation (provided it has been charged correctly). If that is the case, finding the culprit is a simple step by step process. Checking battery load and alternator output should only be determined at the specified engine speed for alternator/generator output which may be found in service manuals and the wonderful I&T manuals. Cable connections for batteries are notorious culprits for charging issues and excessive draw on starters. They may look good but the size and condition of the fastening lugs may create problems also. To summarize this and give you my final two cents worth: you seem to have a charging system problem, may be several things. Do you constantly run at idle, not allowing the system to charge the battery? Normally this is above 1200-1500 rpm. Battery cables and thier connectors, are they of the proper gauge size and are the connectors in good condition, including the points of attachment? Charging belt, is it the right belt, installed correctly with proper tension? Are you installing the correct voltage and amperage size battery for your application? And way off in left field, has someone ever installed incorrect sized pulleys for the alternator/generator? Good luck.
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