JD60 charging system

[garyedward]

The battery voltage is 12.6 engine off. Tractor running high rpms battery voltage is 13.7. I installed a new voltage reg because occasionally the battery would not crank the engine enough to start it. However the ammeter reads on the + side when I turn the lights on, engine not running and when the engine is running at fast idle the ammeter reads on the - side but still showing 13.7 charging at the battery. I'm confused...If ammeter shows + does that means its discharging and if it shows - does that mean its charging. Obviously I'm not an electrical engineer. Any advice is appreciated

 

[matthies]

The battery is hooked up backwards. If the tractor has a generator it should be positive ground originally.

 

[WTW]

Either the battery or the amp meter is connected backwards? It is charging if he is seeing 13.7 when running, just reading backwards for one reason or another?? You are probably correct. And generator will have to be re-polarized when corrected.

 

[garyedward]

Thanks for the advice. The battery ground was bassackward...problem solved and she's putting out 13.5 to 14 volts at fast throttle. I didn't re-polarize it since it's putting out a good charge. Thanks again guys

 

[John T]

It was originally POS ground but if reversed the ammeter would read bass ackwards IE charge when discharging but discharging when charging grrrrrrrrrr. NOTE if it was started with the wrong polarity you could damage the Voltage Regulator that's why you should have it correctly polarized BEFROE starting. A full charged good lead acid battery at rest and stabilized should read around 12.6 volts but when subjected to a good working charging system battery voltage should rise to at least 13 up to around 14 subject to RPM and state of battery and charging system. If you turn on lights or ignition not running ammeter (if wired right) should swing over to - discharge.

John T