AC716 charging problem

[jlasater]

I finally figured out why the fellow who sold me my 716 said I should charge the battery once during the summer. Evidently the charging system isn't working at all. How would I go about troubleshooting the system on this tractor? I've worked on truck electrical systems a fair amount, but not on small engines. I do have access to a DVM and other test equipment. When using the electric lift, the ammeter does register about 10A of draw.

[Dutch]

I forget what the 716 used (generator or alternator?). If alternator, check AC output, rectifier. If generator, full field to eliminate regulator as the problem. Same procedure as on trucks.

[HubbardRA]

AC716 is a Kohler, and has an alternator. I don't have a diagnostic writeup that I could reference for this setup.

[jlasater]

Turns out the inline fuse between the stator and battery was broken in two. Replaced it with a blade-type fuse holder and correct 5A fuse and the battery is charging once again!

[BLT]

quote:

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Originally posted by HubbardRA
AC716 is a Kohler, and has an alternator. I don't have a diagnostic writeup that I could reference for this setup.

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Rod, this is a 3 amp unregulated charge system with the optional 70 watt AC circuit for the lights.

[HubbardRA]

BLT, My AC716 Had a 15 amp alternator on the Kohler. I'm not familiar with the unit you mentioned.

[BLT]

Rod go thru this post. I was just reading the wiring diagram that UCD put on. http://www.simpletractors.com/club2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16865

[HubbardRA]

I understand. I just said that the AC716 that I have had a 15 amp alternator with a rectifier-regulator on it. I sold that setup years ago and currently have a B/S on it. I know it was a 15 amp unit. The regulator-rectifier was missing, and I didn't want to pay $120 for a new one, so I used a 25 amp bridge rectifier, and a three pole regulator from a starter generator. It worked fine. This was long before I heard of this site or had any original manuals to look the parts up in.

[BLT]

Rod when you look thru the diagram, a 3 AMP charge circuit with an electric lift looks kind of short in the charge depatment?. Maybe they went to a 15 amp later? I don't know and now I think I understood what you said.

[jlasater]

Even with the charging system dead (before I fixed the fuse problem) my 716H would run all summer, couple times a week, using a mower and tiller before I'd have to put a charger on it. The lift pulls some juice, but you're not running it for very long.

[HubbardRA]

BLT, It was several years ago when I had the original engine. I was into pulling then and not into restoring these tractors as work machines. After I thought about it awhile, I remember now that the alternator was fried when I got the AC716H. A friend of mine who had been building Pro Stock pullers gave me the 15 amp unit. I really don't know what came on that 716H tractor, so I was wrong to compare mine with an original. If you didn't understand how I had it wired, I used a bridge rectifier to convert from AC to DC. Two AC inputs, two DC outputs. I then hooked up the two DC wires same as the two wires of a starter-generator to a voltage regulator from a starter-generator. Most people will say don't try this, but it worked great.

[BLT]

Rod I get it now. And your re-wire of the 15AMP, is pretty unique. I had a similar problem with my 80 HP Evinrudes and its rectifier. The boat dealer what amounted to $110. After some looking Radio Shack had the complete fix for roughly $10-.