besman 0 #1 Posted July 29, 2009 Hello, How can i check to see if the charging system is working? I used my C-160 tractor the other night and after about 20 minutes of running WOT, i slowed the engine down to an idle, it coughed a time or two and cut off. I went to restart it and the battery was dead. The starter would just click. I changed out the battery and started back up. The Ammeter stayed slightly on the negative side. If i turned on the lights, the needle moved really far into the negative side on meter. I assume its not charging but not sure. thanks for any ideas in advance, M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse_of_course 99 #2 Posted July 29, 2009 This is where a amp meter is handy. Your charging system is NOT working. Now you need to find out why. First check all of your grounding, in particular the rectifier ground connection. Disconnect the rectifier and measure the AC voltage across the stator leads (should be only 2 that do into the engine). You should be getting a fairly high reading (20-30 volts AC). If that is OK, connect those back to the rectifier and measure across the same two leads. Should be about the same. Finally, remove the third lead (the one that goes to the tractor rather than the engine) and connect your meter with the positive (+) lead to the pin of the rectifier you just disconnected and the minus (-) lead to a good ground. Best of luck :thumbs2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,127 #3 Posted July 29, 2009 Finally, remove the third lead (the one that goes to the tractor rather than the engine) and connect your meter with the positive (+) lead to the pin of the rectifier you just disconnected and the minus (-) lead to a good ground. Best of luck And???........ Kinda cruel to let him hanging like that, Rolf. :ychain: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
besman 0 #4 Posted July 30, 2009 Ok, I got about 25v from the AC leads. and 10-11v from the B+ and a ground. I would assume that means the rectifier is ok. I did notice the connector with the three wires was loose on the rectifier but tightening up made no change. Anything else I can check to determine the problem? thanks, M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,127 #5 Posted July 30, 2009 Anything else I can check to determine the problem? The wire (orange, I think?) from the B+ terminal on the rectifier to the "R" terminal on the ignition switch and the ignition switch itself. Make sure you have continuity between the "R" and "B" terminals on the ignition switch when it's in the "ON" or "RUN" position.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
besman 0 #6 Posted August 20, 2009 Well, just an update with this. I was using the tractor earlier this week and looked down at the ammeter and the needle was way over into the positive side. I'm not sure if i had a loose connection somewhere or what. The only thing different was a different battery. Thanks, M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites