[bill_o]

I'm new here so bare with me.The charging light on my 1987 318 stays on all the time,used to be just periodically.Battery voltage is 15.3 volts.With stator disconnected there are no short to ground on either lead.Unless my meter is bad,there is also no a/c voltage from either lead and no voltage at the middle terminal of the regulator.If this is the case,what is keeping the battery charged?Tractor runs fine with no other issues. Confused!!

 

[tv4fish]

Bill: Sounds like a "miracle" to me (Sorry, couldn't help it)

something is amiss somewhere)

 

[charms]

Bill, when testing AC stator voltage, are you testing with one test lead on one stator wire, and the other test lead on the other stator wire? Don't get mad at my asking, but this test is with engine running, right?
Battery voltage should be less than 15.3, so maybe your regulator is bad. Maybe 15.3 volts would cause the light to come on as well as a low charge condition.

 

[bill_o]

Tom,miracle or something similar.(

).Actually the battery is 3yrs old,625 cc amp and has not been charged for at least two months.I cut just about every week.appx 2 1/2 hrs.It just keeps running.

Cliff,I tested both leads,one meter lead on each stator wire with the engine running and no voltage reading at all.Also,no voltage at center terminal of regulator.I'll put a new set of batteries in my meter and check again tomorrow.
Thanks to both for the reply.

 

[chuckv]

Bill,

Be sure that your meter is set to measure AC voltage when you check the stator output. It would in fact measure about zero volts if the meter is set to measure DC voltage...

Here is an excerpt from the TM1590 about testing the stator:

Chuck

 

[bill_o]

Chuck,thanks for the info.Have 38.9 A/C volts from stator.Have only 4.6 DC at the regulator with B+ wire disconnected and at full throttle.I guess I can "assume" the regulator is bad.
Bill O

 

[stanb112]

Bill, connect the B+ wire and check it again. Most regulators need a load (the battery) to operate properly.

 

[Sterling]

mine just did the same thing but the charge light would flash on and off for various lenghts of time. It just ended up being a dirty battery post.

 

[bill_o]

Steve,voltage at full throttle off the center terminal is 12.3 volts.Will go no higher.Do I assume it is the regulator as I have 38+AC volts from the stator.Also,the stator shows no grounds.Incidently,another gremlin has appeared.At idle to full throttle is has developed an intermittent miss for a lack of a better term.Not consistent but just seems to have a plug not fire sequently.Minor but annoying.

 

[bill_o]

Still looking for some help here.

 

[Agrimm01]

Bill, in your first post you said you had 15.3 volts and now you say 12.3 volts. Has the voltage dropped or was there a typo? If the battery voltage drops to 12.3 volts the charging light will stay on. If the voltage is above 12.3 volts the light should go off.

 

[bill_o]

Andy,first post was incorrect as my meter was bad.It is 12.3 at the regulator at full throttle.38.9 AC at the stator.

 

[Agrimm01]

Sounds like your regulator is bad. But you can get a load test on your battery free before buying a new regulator. The regulator should charge the battery up to about 14.4 volts.