Cub Cadet 1811 Project

[gcrv1811]

Originally Posted by Darrell

Congrats on getting your 1811 !! I have two of them and IMO i believe they are one of the best models built. 400 hrs on your engine is a plus , very low hrs. One of my 1811's has 1200 hrs on it , so i think i am going to retire it from mowing duty.

Sent you a PM.

Darrell

Thanks Darrell

PM hasn't gone through yet but I will keep an eye out for it.

The 1811 continues to surprise me! Rarely ever bad but I need to figure this electrical issue out. Uploading a follow up video to YouTube right now with what I did today. Confused...

[gcrv1811]

YouTube Link: Cub Cadet 1811 Project - What!?

So the battery will hold a charge... Leading me to think that the Cub is not charging it while it is running. Let me know what y'all think it is! Thanks!

[aagitch]

Definitely some voltage checks are in order

[gcrv1811]

Originally Posted by aagitch

Definitely some voltage checks are in order

Got off the phone with Darrell earlier and he brought up a couple things to check. I'll post up with anything I find.

[mjsoldcub]

its always nice to hear these stories...i have my grandpa's 1971 case 220 that i still use...thats a nice 1811........thats a nice saw too, what size???

[gcrv1811]

Originally Posted by mjsoldcub

its always nice to hear these stories...i have my grandpa's 1971 case 220 that i still use...thats a nice 1811........thats a nice saw too, what size???

Thanks!

Not sure what you mean by saw? My chainsaw? Husqvarna 435 It is small and easy to handle. It has been super reliable and it has done more work than most chainsaws do their whole life haha

[gcrv1811]

Cub Cadet 1811 Project - Update April 8, 2016

I figured I would go ahead and do another update video. The past two weeks have been a blur. I went on vacation for one week and last week I was playing catch up. However, I was able to take some time Friday to check a few things on the Cub but I am still lost. In the video above, I upgraded the battery cables to 4 gauge and I film the Cub doing some odd things. The amperes gauge started out showing flat once it was running and then to the left when I turned the lights on. This makes since if I am have a charging issue but, at the end of the video, it started to show to the right.

I hope to have some time this week to do a couple more tests. I am more of a visual person so links to write-ups and or videos of how to do the tests would be much appreciated. Can't wait to get this thing sorted out so I can start putting in some work on restoring it a little and getting some better tires and accessories.

Below shows the new cables vs the old cables:


New cables installed:

[aagitch]

You may have a bad connection somewhere and its intermittently charging.

[gcrv1811]

Originally Posted by aagitch

You may have a bad connection somewhere and its intermittently charging.

What wire charges the battery when it is running?

[jebow2]

I tried to post a copy of the wiring schematic but could not. Here is a link to the 1811 wiring schematic, scroll down to find it, it's the last wiring schematic on that page:

http://www.ihcubcadet.com/forum/mess...tml?1338728859

Also here is a link for the Kohler M18 engine service manual. Download this manual, it has some good tips for troubleshooting the charging system.

http://kohlerengines.com/onlinecatal.../tp_2204_b.pdf

A simple check for any charging system is to measure the DC battery voltage before starting the engine. Typically you will have 12vdc at the battery. Measure the battery voltage when the engine is running and you should have 13-15 vdc. You should have at least 1.5vdc above what your initial voltage was. For garden tractors I like to check the running/charging voltage with the throttle at full throttle.

If you do not have the increased voltage level at the battery, a good place to start looking is the R terminal on the back of the key switch(should be a white wire). If you have the increased DC voltage here then the stator/rectifier part of the charging circuit is good, troubleshoot back to the battery through the key switch B terminal(should be a black wire), follow the wiring using the wiring schematic. If you do not have the increased voltage at the key switch R terminal, troubleshoot the stator and rectifier. The Kohler M18 service manual has a good troubleshooting section for the charging system, pages 8.6-8.12. When checking stator leads for voltage with the tractor running, remember to set your voltmeter to measure AC voltage. The rectifier/regulator converts this AC voltage to DC voltage, which can be measured at the rectifier center terminal. Hope this helps!

John