[cooperino]

Originally Posted by bruceh

This has a 16 HP Vanguard and I've read about the charging issues with these. I've got a situation where the battery is showing 13.5 - 14 volts with no load and nearly full throttle. When I engage either the headlights or the PTO the voltage starts to drop by a tenth or so every 10 to 15 seconds.

I checked the AC volts coming off the stator and at start up and nearly full throttle I'm reading 27 to 29 volts. When I turn on the lights or the mower deck those volts drop to 24 to 25 and do not recover until the load is removed. Since this happens with either the lights or the PTO it doesn't appear that I'm losing any RPMs with the PTO engagement.

I'm no electrician, and here's my question, why does adding an electrical load (lights or PTO) cause the stator output voltage to drop? I thought the stator output would stay constant and that the regulator would vary the DC output based upon the load. Do I have a stator or flywheel magnet issue or a lack of understanding regarding how this works?

Thanks in advance for any input regarding this.

Bruce

First let me say, My 1641 did the same thing or even worse before I replaced the stator. With that said. In a DC system "even with AC output converted to DC" You will see fluctuation when running different circuits IE lights, PTO. The stator output is only 12-15 amps max. So when you run say the PTO drawing 4-5 amps or a 3rd of the available you will certainly see some drop. Keep in mind that the wire thats actually putting the charge to the battery from the stator and VR is relatively small. Its not much more than a battery maintainer really. Now with the older style cubs that have a generator with heavier duty wiring I see less fluctuation. You should check all of your connections.. Bright and tight as Roland says. This may help some with the fluctuation.


PS. whats the lowest your voltage drops to?