Battery questions.

grandpa Love

Well-known Member
184 IH Lo-boy. 12 volt, alternator. The bigger battery ain't a great fit in the battery box. The riding mower battery fits much better. But will it be ok charging off the alternator? My simple mind thinks 12 volts is 12 volts?
 

Attachments

  • 1000018109.jpg
    1000018109.jpg
    1.8 MB · Views: 97
  • 1000018108.jpg
    1000018108.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 125
  • 1000018105.jpg
    1000018105.jpg
    2.7 MB · Views: 108
  • 1000018110.jpg
    1000018110.jpg
    2.3 MB · Views: 112
It will be FINE!

(ASSUMING the alternator's voltage regulator is working properly.)
I will check it with a meter at the battery......the alternator does have this interesting mess?!
 

Attachments

  • 1000018111.jpg
    1000018111.jpg
    88.6 KB · Views: 117
My best educated guess although absent any specs is it will charge that smaller rated yet still lead acid yet still 12 Volts battery fine no problem assuming the alternator and it’s regulator are okay. I bet most sparkies agree wait n see

Update. Looks like that’s correct the sparkies agree yayyyyyy for us lol

John T
 
Last edited:
I will check it with a meter at the battery......the alternator does have this interesting mess?!
Good idea. Subject to rpm the alternator and it’s proper voltage regulation and the battery condition, I would expect a 12 volt lead acid batteries voltage to rise to at least 13 volts up to 14+ if working correctly subject to battery condition state of charge and any loads

I make no comment regarding the smaller batteries energy and cranking capacity

John T
 
Last edited:
You should be OK. Most small engine flywheel alternators charge at slightly higher voltage than most 'real' alternator systems anyway. At least the ones I've measured.
 
I will check it with a meter at the battery......the alternator does have this interesting mess?!
It is a resistor, one can use an "idiot light", diode, or resistor in the "excite" circuit to keep power from backfeeding to the ignition circuit, preventing the engine from shutting down when the ignition is switched "OFF".

It appears that this is the (BIG) resistor version!

While it LOOKS like a primary ignition resistor, likely it is in the 10 to 30 Ohm range.
 
184 IH Lo-boy. 12 volt, alternator. The bigger battery ain't a great fit in the battery box. The riding mower battery fits much better. But will it be ok charging off the alternator? My simple mind thinks 12 volts is 12 volts?
I've been using my oldest lawn mower batteries in my 1950 Farmall C and I use 10 gauge copper wire instead of battery cables.
20220131_110440.jpg
 
Romex for battery cables :rolleyes: ????? OH WAIT, that's UF cable,it's weather and uv resistant. i never thought I'd see the day, not Geo,no way.
 
The internal regulator in an automotive alternator is much better than the regulator on a typical small engine. It will work fine.
 
Romex for battery cables :rolleyes: ????? OH WAIT, that's UF cable,it's weather and uv resistant. i never thought I'd see the day, not Geo,no way.
da.bees
i never thought I'd see the day, not Geo,no way.
I want to say shame on you for accusing me of using Romex, I used a 10 g stranded copper wire I recycled from a 24000 BTU AC.
Look closely at my pic it is NOT ROMEX.
My point is that small tractors can use a lawn mower battery.
The 10g wire also proves the starter doesn't require a lot of cranking amps. :)
 
Back when I was a used tractor dealer buying tractors all over the Midwest I saw much worse than old tractors with lawn mower batteries and 10 Gauge or even less cables that were still charging fine even if that was the first thing I corrected when I prepared them for resale. With an alternator i again agree with the other fine gents you will be okay Go for it keep us posted.

Good luck and best wishes

John T
 
da.bees

I want to say shame on you for accusing me of using Romex, I used a 10 g stranded copper wire I recycled from a 24000 BTU AC.
Look closely at my pic it is NOT ROMEX.
My point is that small tractors can use a lawn mower battery.
The 10g wire also proves the starter doesn't require a lot of cranking amps. :)
Recycled wire salvaged from old ac is indeed worthy and restores your status in my eye. I wasn't actually accusing you of such,I was worried someone hacked your account and attempting to tarnish your reputation.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top