108 quit charging
 

I know the ammeter is working because I turn on the headlights on and the DRAIN really shows on it.

This Summer when mowing the needle started sobbing back and forth between charge and drain-thought it might be bad needle but now I think the regulator have have been going. I am electrically challenged and all my tractors now seems to have developed an electric issue like an epidemic.
I need this 108 to work with the snow thrower like right now.
Should I just put on a new regulator?

Do not just start throwing parts and money at it, put a volt meter on the battery when its off and see what the voltage is, then start it and if its charging you will see and increase in voltage by 1 or 2 volts. If you don't have a volt meter then you can simply unhook the battery ( positive terminal )while its running, if it stays running its charging and if it dies then its not. Do this test and report back so we can go from there. Do not trust that the guage in the dash is working properly simply because it moves.

For the record, if the gauge fails, it won't charge.

I just had the 108 running and I removed the positive cable from battery. it shut off.

where should i go from this point in diagnosis?
thanks

The next step for me would be to test the starter/ generator. That procedure can be found on page 4 in the technical library on this site.

I grounded the F terminal on the s/g, and the ammeter showed FULL charge.
Also polarized the generator, and it still won't charge on it's own.

Next step?
Jonathon, could a bad ammeter be also causing it not to charge?

Next step, run a jumper wire from the "Bat" terminal on the V/R to the Pos. battery terminal.

Do not assume that the "Bat" terminal in the wiring diagram is in the same location on the actual V/R. Take it off the machine and check it to see.

Yes. But not if the meter works when you full field it the gen.


Or just use a meter and see what the output on the "B" terminal of the VR is.

Also, check to see if the VR is grounded. A faulty ground will keep it from working.

Sounds like the V/R but as stated above, troubleshoot more to make sure. You can adjust the V/R internal points as there is a procedure for that, also sand and clean normally open and normally closed points inside it. Getting a new one if it's bad will assure that it will work properly but there is a chance there are just duty contacts. The 108 reg is a little hard to adjust in the tractor as it sits down beside the battery but some simple checks will get you going. Good luck

Is there a procedure for cleaning the points and adjusting them? I searched in the tech section but did not find one

also Yosimite Sam "Next step, run a jumper wire from the "Bat" terminal on the V/R to the Pos. battery terminal.
Do not assume that the "Bat" terminal in the wiring diagram is in the same location on the actual V/R. Take it off the machine and check it to see."
i did this and nothing happened with the key on and off, what was supposed to happen when I jumped the VR bat terminal and positive post??

I also removed to VR and it is clean inside, except the points look real worn down. so much so it appears the bottoms of the rivets holding down the points are exposed on each point. a clean sharp knife will not flake off the little "stalagmite" on each point

what next?

thanks