LX 885 charging system

[jedtim]

Our 885 will not charge the full rate but is charging some. It has a new battery,alternator,and the white resistor located behind the operators seat. It reads anywhere from 13.0-13.3 on the skidloader voltmeter. I checked it my fluke voltmeter at the battery and got the same reading. It will not keep up when the lights are on. What am I overlooking? thanks

 

[jedtim]

Anyone with any ideas?

 

[Bobcatdan]

Anyone with any ideas?

I think you have high restences somewhere in the system. I would trace wiring from the alternator back to see if there is any corroided connections or bad grounds. How does it start? If the starter turns over slow, it maybe battery cables. If all eles fails, with it running, pull fuse out one at a time and see if voltage goes up. Hope this helps, I don't know of any common problems reguarding this on NHs.

 

[Mike10]

What is the voltage reading with the lights on? What is the votage reading at the alt output terminal? I would suspect a bad regualator in the alternator if the alternator is wired correctly.

 

[SkidRoe]

What is the voltage reading with the lights on? What is the votage reading at the alt output terminal? I would suspect a bad regualator in the alternator if the alternator is wired correctly.

Most auto parts stores will load check your alternator for free. Might be a good starting point.

 

[jedtim]

Most auto parts stores will load check your alternator for free. Might be a good starting point.

I checked charge rate with the lights on and it was 12.8 volts. Tryed a voltage regulator in the alternator and then a whole new alternator and it was the same. 13.2-13.3 with lights off and 12.8 with work lights on.

 

[SkidRoe]

I checked charge rate with the lights on and it was 12.8 volts. Tryed a voltage regulator in the alternator and then a whole new alternator and it was the same. 13.2-13.3 with lights off and 12.8 with work lights on.

That sounds a bit low to me. It should be charging at least 13.0-13.5 with the lights on. Do you have a bad connection somewhere?

 

[Mike10]

Most auto parts stores will load check your alternator for free. Might be a good starting point.

Disconnect the neg battery cable at the battery
Remove the output wire from the alternator and also remove the excitation wire from the alternator. After both wires are removed reattach the battery cable.
Turn the key on, but do not start the engine, and with a volt meter check the voltage at both the output wire and the excitation wire. Both should show battery voltage. If not you have a wiring issue.
Disconnect the battery again and reattach the wires to the alternator.

 

[jedtim]

Disconnect the neg battery cable at the battery
Remove the output wire from the alternator and also remove the excitation wire from the alternator. After both wires are removed reattach the battery cable.
Turn the key on, but do not start the engine, and with a volt meter check the voltage at both the output wire and the excitation wire. Both should show battery voltage. If not you have a wiring issue.
Disconnect the battery again and reattach the wires to the alternator.

I disconnected the output wire and the exciter wire. It read 12.56 at both wires. I hooked everything back up and started it, it then said14.0 with my multimeter and 13.9 on the machine gauge. It runs about 13.4 withe work lights on now. Why or what changed I do not know but I am confident the battery will stay up now. Thanks again everyone for their help.

 

[SkidRoe]

I disconnected the output wire and the exciter wire. It read 12.56 at both wires. I hooked everything back up and started it, it then said14.0 with my multimeter and 13.9 on the machine gauge. It runs about 13.4 withe work lights on now. Why or what changed I do not know but I am confident the battery will stay up now. Thanks again everyone for their help.

Glad to see that helped. Some things you just don't question why. Lets pray it keeps working!!