Disharging problem on 1990 Simplicity Sunstar 20HP

[Al]

Sounds like it could be either a drain or the the charging system is not functoning correctly. I'm not sure how the voltmeter is wired but if it is only reading battery condition then it would make sense. We need to get the charging output specs to see if the proper voltage is coming out of the engine charging harness - sorry I don't have them right now though. Anyone else have them handy?

[JohnA]

The tractor has the Kohler 20HP 2 cyl. Magnum. The output of the electrical system "appears" to be intermittant based on the voltage indicated on the voltage guage (new). When first fired up, voltages in the 14v range are seen which stay and slowly drop to the 12v range with operation. As tractor warms up, the charging drops off according to the voltmeter reading and continued running brings the voltage to below 12v as you deplete the battery. Eventually, the electric PTO clutch will disengage as insufficient electrical capacity is reached. I had suspected that the electric PTO clutch may be drawing excessive current but turning off the clutch does not result in any gain in charging. So, I think the clutch is drawing a normal load but the system is not keeping up. I have also operated using two separate (good) batteries with the same discharging behavior. Is the problem the electronic control module? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Al]

Hi,
Sounds to me like you need to troubleshoot the charging system. This unit should run at 13 to 14.5 volts running. is sounds like is isn't. There are three wires going to the regulator on the engine. The outside two should be the alternator output from inside the flywheel. The should measure above 24 volts AC. Note AC. with the engine wide open. The center terminal chould be the 12.volts DC from the battery. If you don't have the 24v AC you have a problem with the Stator, wires from the stator cut by touching the flywheel or loose magnets in the flywheel. If you have the 24v AC and don't have above 13 olts Dc on the center terminal of the regulator, the regulator is probably bad. If anyone has ever "Jumped" the unit with the battery connections reversed it probably "got" the regulator, It only takes a second. Check these items and if you still have a problem Yell. This advice is cheap, so maybe that is an indication of what it is worth. Good luck, Al