Cub Cadet 125 Voltage Regulator Questions

[Red Dave]

The voltage regulator on my 125 started acting erratically last week when I ran it to plow snow. I gently tapped on it and it gave a nice spark shower, so I figured it was time for a new one. I ordered it from one of the advertisers on this board.

It is listed as the replacement for the original part number, and I have bought parts from this source before with no issues so I am confident it is the correct regulator. But it is different from the old regulator and I am hesitant to wire it up without resolving my concerns.

The old regulator has 4 terminals: GRD, B, G & F. Ground, Battery, Generator and Field. I traced existing wiring and it conforms to both the illustration in the manual (GSS-1398, page 1-29) for Models 72, 104, 124, & 125, in the Technical Library of this site. It also matches the wiring diagram by R. Bedel for those same models. GRD goes to ground, "B" goes to the ammeter, "G" goes to the "A" terminal on the generator and "F" goes to the field. That checks out.

The new regulator has different terminals. It has GEN, F, BAT & L which I interpret as Generator, Battery and Field, which I understand. My question is for the "L" terminal. It has no Ground terminal.

I opened the cover on both and there are internal differences too. The terminals are arranged differently, but as long as I connect it correctly electrically, there should be no issue.

What do I do with the "L" terminal?

I can wire the Field to the "F" terminal, the Ammeter to the "BAT" terminal
the generator armature to the "GEN" terminal, no matter where they physically are, as long as it's electrically correct and skip the separate ground, but I'm not sure what to do with the "L" terminal.

Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.

[ol'George]

IIRR "L" terminal was for lights on some models.
Your ground terminal should be via a braided wire to a mounting bolt usually near the rubber foot of the regulator.

But wait till others validate this as on some things my memory is not the best.

[Red Dave]

Originally Posted by ol'George

IIRR "L" terminal was for lights on some models.
Your ground terminal should be via a braided wire to a mounting bolt usually near the rubber foot of the regulator.

But wait till others validate this as on some things my memory is not the best.

I thought about "L" for Lights too, but I'm not positive about it.
It has lights and as far as I know they are original, but they are fed from the wiring harness.

Thanks for the thoughts.

[Billy-O]

I think the L is for Load. The earlier Cub Cadets had regulators using B, G, F, L and ground. The 125 uses B, G, F and ground.

[darkminion_17]

L is for load, I believe it is always live even with the key off so put a piece of tape or shrink tubing over it. That regulator is for the Original, 70, 100 starting system and will work fine in your application.

[Red Dave]

Thanks Billy-O and Darkminion.

You've confirmed what I was thinking (and hoping). Didn't want to wire it wrong and let the smoke out of a brand new Regulator.

I appreciate the help.