127 not charging, help appreciated.
 

Hello,
I just signed up and this is my first post. You have a great forum here, I have been reading and finding answers to my questions for a few weeks now. When I first found this site I knew I had an old Cub Cadet lawn tractor. Now I can say that I have a model 127 Cub cadet, powered by a Kohler k301a 12 hp engine with hydrostatic drive ( made Dec. 1970).
After rebuilding the carburetor this machine starts up easily and runs really strong, (the speed I can get out of it was a bit supprising) but the charging system is not working.
So far I have verified that all of the wires are connected to the correct terminals, and have tested them for continuity (while disconnected). The starter is working properly, and I have battery voltage present at the Batt. terminal of the voltage regulator.
I performed the charging system test that I found here. With the engine running when grounding the F terminal of the starter / generator to the frame I did notice a clear change in engine RPM, but there was no change in reading on the amp meter or volt meter that I had connected to both posts of the battery.
This test result leaves me wondering if my problem is in the regulator or the starter / generator?

From what I understand, when grounding the F terminal:
no RPM change and no charging = bad starter generator.
RPM change and charging (unregulated) = bad voltage regulator.

with the RPM change I should be getting an increase in both amps and volts at the battery, but according to my digital multi meter voltage remains constant.
Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated.

First, welcome to OCC................ :Welcome2:

Correction, the 127 is a "garden tractor"....:beerchug:

Replace the V/R.

Similar problem on mine. Changed my voltage regulator. Welcome to the site.

Thanks for the quick replies! I was hoping that I wouldn't have to replace both. I will try to pick up a v/r and a fresh battery tomorrow and post the results.
After this problem is solved I can get on to checking/fixing the PTO clutch. Thanks again for your insight.

Welcome to OCC! Good luck with your 127.

:Welcome2:

Welcome to OCC.
The 127 is a real work horse. You did a nice job researching the problem.
Regards,
Chris

I picked up some parts today from Tractor Supply, and my local Cub dealer. After dealing with a flat front tire I went to work on the charging system. I installed a new belt for the starter / generator, new voltage regulator and just before putting in a new battery I repaired the wiring for the headlights.

With all of that done, and a volt meter to the battery, I tested the headlights and found that they, and my amp gauge work. I started the engine and slowly went up to full throttle to find that I have more work to do. My meter is telling me that the battery is about 1/4 volt lower with the engine running, and the amp gauge agrees by showing -10 amps. As I reduced the throttle the amp gauge dipped to nearly - 20.

I think my next step will be to open up the starter/ generator to clean the commutator and check the brushes. I was really hoping to see the amp gauge go in the other direction and get on to other things.

:WWP: If possibe, this way it makes it just that much more clear to those that need all the helpthatthey can get. (me) :biggrin2::RedFace2:

Nik