John Deere 322 charging system

[jd730gas]

I have a JD 322 that I really enjoy. Right at the end of leaf collection season my battery charge light came on. Eventually of course when I shut it off to empty bags it would not start. After charging it up it will start and work of course but light is still on and now electric mower clutch will not engage. Where do I start? Alternator/generator; voltage regulator; mower electric clutch; battery or combination? Thank you for any help.
 

[El Toro]

Which engine do you have? If it's a Kohler it may have a stator that produces Ac voltage and you would also have a rectifier/regulator to convert the AC to DC volts. You can use a volt meter set on AC volts and with the engine at 1/2 throttle or better you can measure the ac output voltage off the stator should be about 30 volts.
If that looks ok switch your meter to Dc volts and measure that. Be careful working around that engine. You can measure the DC volts across the battery terminals, should see around 14 volts. If you only have 12 volts your rectifier is probably defective.. Hal

 

[jd730gas]

Thank you. It is a 3 cylinder, either a Yanmar or Kawasaki I believe. I suppose it could be dusty and dirty connections because it was really dirty chopping and bagging leaves and worked fine for several hours.
 

[El Toro]

You should check with your local JD dealer to see if they will scan a copy of the wiring diagram on your charging system. If it has an alternator you should have a rectifier. It may just be a loose wire or a bad connection. I had a JD 140 that wouldn't charge and it just needed the terminals cleaned on the rectifier. Hal
 

[El Toro]

Here's a link for troubleshooting your charging circuit. Hal
Untitled URL Link

 

[Ken Combs]

That uses a small belt driven alternator. Most likely it is the regulator as the alt seldom fail.

That is a 3cyl yanmar gas right??
 

[Bob]

IMHO, most common failure with that system is the multiple contact electrical plug between the alternator and rectifier/regulator.
 

[stronics]

Gentlemen,
There are ways to check out the system, get the correct diagram and check it.
Does the alternator have 27-35 AC volts? Is it getting to the regulator? Are you getting around 13 or higher volts DC at the battery.
David