88 sapping battery

agonair · Jan 21, 2021

I put a new battery in my 88 about a year ago. If the tractor sits for 3 or 4 weeks without starting, the battery will be near dead.
Any thoughts as to what will cause a battery to drain that fast?

This tractor is a 1949 gas with a 12 volt system.

super99 · Jan 21, 2021

Put a disconnect switch on it. I have the same trouble with a IH 400. Got tired of trying to find the draw so I put a disconnect on it, problem solved.

ziffel · Jan 21, 2021

Disconnect the battery, fully charge it, Reconnect it 3 weeks later. If the battery is still full and starts the tractor, there is a "draw" in the tractor. But if the battery is dead you need a new one. Finding a current draw is not to difficult with an ordinary test light or a digital volt meter. Good luck.

rrlund · Jan 21, 2021

If it has a one wire alternator, like Super 99 said, you'll have to put a disconnect switch in it somewhere. My 1550 has an alternator from the factory, but the regulator went bad and it was cheaper to buy a one wire alternator than to buy a regulator. I had to put a toggle switch in the dash because it would draw the battery down if it sat a while.

ziffel · Jan 21, 2021

If it still has a generator as it came with the most probable cause is a stuck regulator. Those old wire wound coil type regulators were famous for sticking and draining the battery.

Whiskey Bent · Jan 21, 2021

I agree with the others, it the 1 wire alt.

88 sapping battery

agonair

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super99

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ziffel

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rrlund

Well-known Member

ziffel

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Whiskey Bent

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