PTO & charging system issues
 

Hey guys, I have a buddy that bought his cc a few years back and his issue is that whenever he turns on his pto to mow, he say his "alternator" light turns on and eventually his battery gets drained. He has bought a new pto from the dealer and put it on to no avail. The dealer told him that it is a known issue with his model cc and they were unaware of what he could do to fix it ;-/. I will post some pics of serial number and engine but any help or advice would be great!

Here is another pic. Let me know if I need to find out anything more! Thanks again guys!

OK

First this is a 1641 so I moved your post

Second this is a common issue. I'm convinced that the problem is the Vanguard VR/rectifier. Cub has had so many complaints that they stopped putting the light in the dash on later tractors. Anyway on one of my 1641's I converted it to use a Kohler VR problem solved. Pic of the VR on my 1641 and how it's wired.

Thanks and sorry bout the wrong section. I'm still really new to cc. But anything else special, just change the vr rectifier to Kohler and good to go? Thanks again!

I'd check to see if you have about 30 volts AC at the plug to the VR. It's the square plug with the two red wires. Unplug it and put your test leads on the two pins inside the plug coming out from the engine. I'd also test to see if you have about 14 volts DC at the red wire on the existing regulator, it may be OK and you could have some other issue. Test before replacing stuff. If it turns out that your VR is bad you can use the leads from the old B&S VR just cut them at the green line in the pic, crimp on the spade connectors, I suggest that you use the insulated type. The yellow leads go to the outer terminals ant the red lead goes to the center. Think you will need a spacer to hold the VR away from the engine enough to clear the wiring. Make sure you have a good ground.

Thanks for this post ,because I got a 1641,, that is having this same concern with & new Pto clutch installed,, just bought this tractor used, the guy just put on the new pto clutch, so glad this post was on here ! :)

Well I just checked the square connector coming, from the engine, No A/C voltage, crap! hoping it wasn't that stator, well looks like the engine is coming out.... but first,, have to pull engine out of 1864, remain leaking on it.... man's work is never done! Haahaaaa !

Just a KISS suggestion:
Check the wiring coming out of the engine before you pull the engine,
also did you test between the 2 green leads after separating the connector?
A shorted regulator will give you "0" if you leave it connected in the circuit.:bigthink:
hope you get lucky.

Get yourself a Briggs and Stratton service manual for a Van Guard engine. They have a section in the manual on the correct way to check the charging system.

FWIW;
After buying a new VR and still not charging, discovered my starter switch was bad. Would start and run but wouldn't charge.