Am I gonna blow up the battery?

Mnethercutt · May 5, 2017

I've been trying to get my 1010 to charge for a while now, and today I finally got it to charge. Turns out the VR wasn't well grounded. However, the place where it mounts is all rusty and covere din paint, and while I sanded it down a lot, I still couldn't get a good connection. So I ran a wire from the base of the VR to the bolt that the battery grounds to. IT worked great, but I'm concerned that I'm overloading the battery. At 1200 RPM it got up to 14.6 volts across the battery. Is it ok for me to run that wire from the VR base to the battery's ground bolt (it's touching the ground strap for the battery)? Thanks.

rvirgil_KS · May 5, 2017

Regulator mounts to tractor frame. Battery ground post cable connects to the tractor frame. Other than insuring a better regulator ground, you are making no changes to the operating circuit. You could connect that extra wire anywhere on the frame.

susandiane · May 5, 2017

Good job on tracking down the grounding problem. That voltage is about right for a 12 V battery with a charging system working right. In fact, if it isn't in that neighborhood, it's a sign that you are
probably running on the battery alone with no (or not enough) charging coming in. I have a dedicated ground from my alternator to the battery just as you do and never regretted it!

John T · May 6, 2017

You ask Is it ok for me to run that wire from the VR base to the battery's ground bolt

ANSWER YES

While 14.6 volts constantly for long extended periods AFTER a battery reaches full charge may cause excessive outgassing and harm, its not too high for an initial charge up for a discharged battery subject to time and state of battery and its condition. Charge depends on RPM and voltage regulation and condition of battery. Once a battery charges to a certain state the VR should back off and reduce charge rate so use it a while and see what happens BEFORE doing too much more is my advice.

John T

Mnethercutt · May 6, 2017

Yesterday evening, I measured the voltage again after about 10 minutes of use, and the voltage had gotten up to 16 volts on the battery. The battery wasn't hot, and I've got a brand new VR. Is that still ok? The battery has been low so it's very possible it's charging it.

John T · May 6, 2017

If that's an accurate voltage reading on the battery itself, YES a CONSTANT LONG TERM 16 IS HIGH. The worst case highest possible generator output would be if the Gennys FLD post got effectively dead grounded due to a stuck VR contact or an internal short. Id expect normal VR regulated charge voltages in the 14+ range initially then down to 13+ once the battery is charged subject to load and RPM and battery condition.

John T

Am I gonna blow up the battery?

Mnethercutt

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rvirgil_KS

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susandiane

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John T

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Mnethercutt

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John T

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