MF135 charging system

[Kalamazoo]

Based on the fact my tractor battery is dead after 2 hours of work and a tester shows no charging I think I have a problem.

The thing is I'm not sure if my amp gauge was ever working. Is there a way to test the gauge and harness for problems before buying a new alternator?

Tractor is a 3 cylinder Perkins. I use the tractor every week so I'm trying to limit down time with testing/ narrowing the problem before taking parts off.

 

[Kalamazoo]

Sorry it's a 3 cylinder Perkins gas

 

[rvirgil_KS]

What alternator does it have?

If you have lights turn them on with engine not running. Ammeter should go slightly negative

Do you have battery voltage on both sides of ammeter?

 

[old]

I full charged battery should run your tractor for a good many hour even if the charging system is not working. I ran one of My Ford tractor for years that way and I could run it off and on for weeks. But you could also have a bad alternator which is adding to the draining of the battery. One of the simplest way to check things is check battery voltage when not running. You should get 12.5 plus for a full charged battery. Then start it and check the battery volts again. You should read 13-14 volts if the charging system is working. By the way NEVER pull a battery cable off while running since that will fry the alternator and if you make a mistake it can/will kill you

 

[Kalamazoo]

(quoted from post at 07:39:32 07/13/18) What alternator does it have?

If you have lights turn them on with engine not running. Ammeter should go slightly negative

Do you have battery voltage on both sides of ammeter?

Alternator is a 508545M92, I believe original.
Tractor has no lights.