LGT 125 with Kohler K301

Brian Allen · Aug 17, 2008

My Ford LGT 125 Lawn tractor is not charging.
I have a new regulator / rectifier ordered.
Is there any tests that I can do to see what is actually wrong?
I have the Ford shop manual, but is does not show any testing for charging circuit.
It is an alternator charging loop under the flywheel with a regulator / rectifier mounted externally on the Kohler K301 engine.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Brian

El Toro · Aug 17, 2008

You should check for AC voltage at the regulator.
See the AC connections on this regulator. I think you should have around 30ac volts. You need the engine running to check this. Hal

Bob · Aug 17, 2008

Complete charging system troubleshooting instructions can be found at the link below.
Kohler K series manual in .pdf format

guido · Aug 17, 2008

Hello Bryan Allen.
El Toro is wright, 28-30 Volts ac from the stater.
If that voltage is O.K. then the regulator may be at fault.
Make sure all the connections are O.K. and look for a voltage af 13.8- 14.7 volts at the battery at full throttle.
Guido.

El Toro · Aug 17, 2008

Clean those tangs on the rectifier until shiny. Then see if its charging. Use a volt meter across the battery with the engine at 1/2 throttle or better. I had that problem on a JD 140. Hal

IH2444 · Aug 17, 2008

One other possible problem if the surface the regulator is mounted to is not geounded well it will not work right. I ran a #10 wire from the groundpost on my battery to one of the monting bolts of the regulator. worked wonders.

Brian Allen · Aug 17, 2008

Thanks all.
I will check this over again.
I'll re-post with my findings.
Brian

Brian Allen · Aug 18, 2008

Me again
I charged the battery, volts read 12.78 VDC before starting.
Checked and cleaned the regulator terminals this morning.
I also tried the suggested extra ground strap - no change.
Using my digital multimeter, (HD100 Beckman Industrial) I found the following.
Alternator shows good (closed circuit on both leads) and no short to ground.
At an idle AC volts from the alternator go from a low of about 6 V to about 150 V (constant fluctuation's and very hard to read.)
NOTE: engine speed did not change the readings.
Battery volts have the same reading as the alternator when running.
12 volt terminal at the regulator reads the same high voltage as the battery, when running.
Looks to me like the regulator is the culprit. Am I right?????

Note: I have replaced the ignition coil, points ETC several times in the last few years.
Brian

Brian Allen · Sep 1, 2008

Here is the latest.
I replaced the regulator/rectifier - It still does not charge.
The ignition switch checked out as per the manual.
I replaced the ignition switch anyway (because of rusting on the back side of the switch) - now it charges the way it should.
Thanks all for the help and the great web sites for Kohler info & parts.
Brian

LGT 125 with Kohler K301

Brian Allen

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El Toro

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Bob

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guido

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El Toro

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IH2444

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Brian Allen

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Brian Allen

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Brian Allen

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