Chestnut 315 #1 Posted November 13, 2020 I woke up the 520H with the snowblower a few weeks ago and noticed it didn't appear to be charging. It's at my mother in law's 100+ miles from home so I had to put it away 'til this visit. In the meantime I read all the threads I could find about 520H no charge, overcharge, meter accuracy, and so on. In one of the threads WVHillbilly520H suggested that the voltage regulator (or R/R) was a common failure and the cheap Chinese knockoffs usually work OK, so I had one waiting when I came back. Started it up when I came back, Voltmeter in hand, and sure enough I just had battery voltage on the center lug of the regulator from off (key in on position) to idle to full RPM. Pulled the old regulator and tried to install the new one. Didn't quite fit, but I recalled someone writing that the little locating tabs on the new one might need to be filed a bit. They did, and after some file work the new one slipped right in. Checked resistance from the regulator housing to the battery and it was a few tenths, so I figured it was time to start it up. It started fine and the meter now showed charging. In fact at full RPM the tractor's meter was in the red. Overcharging? Another thread suggested double checking with the handheld voltmeter, and sure enough the voltage off the center lug of the new regulator never went above 14.8, even at full RPM. I'm going to trust the handheld meter and call it a day. Thanks for the help from all the people who posted on the earlier threads. 5 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,200 #2 Posted November 13, 2020 Thanks for letting us know of your success. Many times suggestions go unanswered and we are left wondering. 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,844 #3 Posted November 13, 2020 Just now, rmaynard said: Thanks for letting us know of your success. Many times suggestions go unanswered and we are left wondering. Agreed 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,718 #4 Posted November 13, 2020 If you were using a new-fangled digital voltmeter these systems can drive them nuts. The old analog meters with an honest to God needle is my preference. Many tests only require a needle swing, not reading numbers jumping around like crazy. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chestnut 315 #5 Posted November 13, 2020 18 minutes ago, lynnmor said: If you were using a new-fangled digital voltmeter these systems can drive them nuts. The old analog meters with an honest to God needle is my preference. Many tests only require a needle swing, not reading numbers jumping around like crazy. It was a digital voltmeter. It was pretty stable at 14+, with only the decimal moving up or down a tenth. I think I have three handhelds, but I think they're all digital. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,683 #6 Posted November 13, 2020 Still use my mini Radio Shack analog VOM for quick checks. Maybe older than the tractor. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,364 #7 Posted November 13, 2020 I like my big old Simpson. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,252 #8 Posted November 14, 2020 I had a Simpson 260 for many years, loved it. It was among the tools a thief made off with thirty years ago. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chestnut 315 #9 Posted November 14, 2020 2 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: I like my big old Simpson. Usually I feel like the analog guy in a digital world. This is the rare exception. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
