It's just one thing after another

[slufoot733 70]

Well, I've done lots of work getting, and keeping, my D-200 running. After a mild winter I removed the snow thrower and cleaned it up some. Now I find the battery is not charging. It was fine all winter; started every time but now the battery is dead. After a jump start it run fine but the amp meter shows a big fat ZERO. I put a battery/charging system meter on it and find nothing coming to the battery. Before I dig in to find the problem I though I'd tap this pool of knowledge and experience to see if there might be a most common or 'the usual' problem. The battery is several years old so it might be the problem. But I figure the meter should show something even if the battery isn't holding the charge. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Kevin

[Paul D. 26]

First thing I would do is to check all the wires to make sure there isn't a loose one. After rebuilding my engine I wasn't getting a good charge and it turned out to be a loose connection on the regulator/rectifier. I am far from an electrical guru but that solved my problem :confusion-shrug:

[slufoot733 70]

Good advice Paul. That was my first thought too. I plan to get into that next chance I get. What I hate about electrical issues is that you cannot 'see' anything working or not working. Mechanical problems often can be seen, electricity is invisible.......except when the spark bites ya!

[pfrederi 18,563]

Check and make sure the regulator has a good ground. Check the Ac voltage from the stator leads. If you don't have over 30v at full throttle then test the stator per the manual. if you have 30 volts or more get a new regulator

[slufoot733 70]

Ok, I uncovered the D yesterday and started to check the connections on the voltage regulator.........but couldn't find it! I believe it's under the instrument panel mounted on the steel plate on the left side. That means I'll have to disassemble a lot of sheet metal just to get to it. I figure over an hour just so I can touch it with my hand. I might be able to reach it from below, on my back under the tractor (good thing I don't have the mower deck installed). Does anyone else out there have a suggestion? Anyone have to deal with the regulator on a D?

Thanks,

KT

[pfrederi 18,563]

Left side near the front. It is mounted by the two shiny hex nuts you can see in the picture. If you have a skinny hand you can reach between the engine and the panel. If I recall it was not a fun project and something seemed to make access from underneath difficult...maybe my loader frame i do not recall.

[slufoot733 70]

Thanks Paul. Yeah, I figured that was it. I can feel it with the tips of my fingers but that's about it. I'll have to move the tractor into the garage to get under it. I may also be able to get to it if I remove the battery and battery tray but who knows. I'm finding that many things on this tractor are hard to get to.

But another problem has developed......I'm coming down with a nasty cold. Dat-burn-it! My head feels like a football after a playoff game. Guess the D will have to wait a couple days now.