What I am doing wrong with the chargeing

[HorseingAround 1]

I have a wheel horse 885 and it does not charge. What is the issue with my tractor I am pretty good at wireing but idk why it’s not charging maybe

I am missing a wire?

 

the thick wire I think goes to my ignition I have a button to start it and a switch to turn on everything else 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 12,484]

You will find a wiring diagram here. Click on the tractor to see it.

This older Kohler service manual has a good section on the starter/generator and regulator.

 

[ri702bill 12,984]

That is a 4 wire regulator - 3 are visable, one is under it. Is that one intact?

Remove the regulator cover and observe the contact arm area of both relays inside.One is open with the key off, it closes to allow charging. (It MUST open when off so as to not discharge the battery). The other is the one opening & closing rapidly when running. With the engine running, it should spark at the contacts in use. If not, it needs to be cleaned. All that arcing is normal, but burns and erodes the contacts. Disconnect the battery! Lightly file the contacts - do not use sandpaper! Some folks use a crisp new dollar bill instead. Hook the battery up and see if it charges. 

IMHO - the wiring is old and painted - there may be corrosion where the wire terminals connect to the tabs & the S/G. A good cleaning is in order too.

[squonk 48,076]

Wire from the battery should be on the center terminal of the regulator

[953 nut 69,152]

Is this a new problem that just started? I think @squonk has spotted the problem for you. Below is a simple wiring diagram that shows how he functions of the wiring system interact. You do not have lights but the lighter is connected to the "L" on the regulator.

[pfrederi 21,145]

2 hours ago, squonk said:

Wire from the battery should be on the center terminal of the regulator