Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

? about batteries losing charge

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Alvin NE WI

11-20-2005 18:10:13




Report to Moderator

I have a nearly new tractor [3 years old]here and if I don't use it every couple days the batteries go low in charge and do not have enough juice to turn starter. I put in a pair of new batteries thinking the old ones were bad but i still have the same results. Is there some way i can check what is drawing the charge out? They got so dang much electric stuff on I wonder where to start.
Any help appreciated. Alvin

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
RAB

11-21-2005 09:37:23




Report to Moderator
 Re: ? about batteries losing charge in reply to Alvin NE WI, 11-20-2005 18:10:13  
Tracking the leak, the first thing I would check, is for leaky diodes on the alternator (often can feel the warmth). After that it"s back to Sherlock mode.
Regards, RAB



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
frankiee

11-21-2005 09:05:37




Report to Moderator
 Re: ? about batteries losing charge in reply to Alvin NE WI, 11-20-2005 18:10:13  
Link

Interesting site with lots of information.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
TomTX

11-21-2005 08:02:06




Report to Moderator
 Re: ? about batteries losing charge in reply to Alvin NE WI, 11-20-2005 18:10:13  
More information would be nice. Brand, model, year of tractor? Did you have the batteries tested before replacing? Results? What batteries did you buy? Do you have battery charger? Experience with multimeter? Post back. Tom



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Pete-IN

11-21-2005 05:59:35




Report to Moderator
 Re: ? about batteries losing charge in reply to Alvin NE WI, 11-20-2005 18:10:13  
If the batteries are easy to get at, you can install a knive type switch on one battery terminal. This eliminates current drain. You just have to switch it on when you want to use tractor and switch it off when done. Available at most auto parts stores. Friend of mine had a Ford Explorer doing same thing. This took care of his problem.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Handyman

11-20-2005 19:29:06




Report to Moderator
 Re: ? about batteries losing charge in reply to Alvin NE WI, 11-20-2005 18:10:13  
disconect the positive cable from your battery and put a small light bulb in between the post and clamp. if the bulb lights up you do have a drain somewhere, from there its just a matter of disconnecting wires till you find the circuit that is causing the drain. it could be a wire, switch or even a solenoid shorting out. the light will go out when you find it



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mark - IN.

11-20-2005 19:04:08




Report to Moderator
 Re: ? about batteries losing charge in reply to Alvin NE WI, 11-20-2005 18:10:13  
First thing that comes to mind is a stuck regulator. May not be the case though. Might be a short. Could use an ammeter and start disconnecting things until draw goes away. I don't know of another way. Maybe something bad in the ignition switch or the wiring to it. My diesel Deeres are older, and unless I'm using lights, I always turn the ignition switch off right after starting and then kill them by shutting down the diesel. 3 year old tractor? Well, that's at least 25 years newer than my newest. What kind of tractor Alvin? That'd be a big help for starters. May be a known problem that someone's familiar with and can T right off on.

Mark

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Alvin NE Wi

11-21-2005 05:23:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: ? about batteries losing charge in reply to Mark - IN., 11-20-2005 19:04:08  
It is a MF with cab and FWD./



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mark - IN.

11-21-2005 19:33:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: ? about batteries losing charge in reply to Alvin NE Wi, 11-21-2005 05:23:26  
Well Alvin, you've got me there. Don't know anything about any of the new Masseys. German, right? Have you tried posting over at the Massey board? Anyway, the posts that I've read here seem pretty sound. Seems as though are going to have to start disconnecting until you hit the source that stops the drain. I particularly like the light bulb between the positive terminal and the battery cable - down and dirty, very effective, and cheap. I like that. You probably have lights, I'm guessing. Ever look at it in the dark? Dimly lit dash? Dimly lit lights? Wouldn't be the first time it's happened. You're probably right on electronics unknown to mankind. Maybe chips and stuff none of mine have. See if you can sectionalize it. Break down in large sections. Do the lightbulb trick, then disconnect the positive to the charging circuit (alternator), bulb still lit? Disconnect the positive to the ignition switch, bulb still lit? Things like that. If at anytime the bulb goes out, you have to figure out what's fed off of that leg, reconnect the bulb, then pull them one by one until the bulb goes out again. Electrical problems can cause you to pull your hair out. Just the way it goes. Could be something as simple as a bad ground where the positive seeks ground, doesn't have a good ground, then takes the route through something like dash lights (dimly lit bulbs when should be off). I ran into that once years back - drained the batteries slowly.

Good luck, Mark

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy