eating batteries

[itteitj]

I have a ferris 2000z with a 25 hp kawi, 167 hours, 1 1/2 years old. engine model fh641v. I have been through my 3rd battery. The last one lasted 1 week and went completely dead. Looking for some help with this.
Thanks
Tom

[Restrorob]

Tom,

It sounds like you have a charging system problem, Farris and Kawasaki both have a two year warranty. I would suggest you take it to your dealer and let them go through the testing procedures and correct the problem under warranty.

If you want to try doing it yourself use the search feature above this forum and you will find many many threads with pictures/details how to do so.

Good Luck

[Stillwater]

use a volt meter and check the battery at the terminals when not running. It should read 12.6 volts fully charged, but may be just under that. Start the mower and then check at the battery again at the terminals. If the volt meter reads the same or less you have a problem in the charging system.if you get 14+ volts then your charging system is working ok. If you get high voltage your regulator may be bad. It converts AC to DC and regulates 30+ AC volts down to about 14 volts DC.

also with the volt meter and motor and key off check the voltage after the key switch in off position you should read 0 if not you have a bad switch and it is bleeding the batt, testing the stator would be next but I hate to type....

you could have a charge wire didconnected or shorted look for a red or yellow wire loose/damaged or disconnected some where around the key switch the wire harness or the starter

[khouse]

Is you battery secured down?

[yardmanlee]

had the same problem w/ one of my jd's, ended up being a voltage regulator

[itteitj]

The voltage at the battery while running is 17 volts, a bit high. I brought it in for service because it is still under warranty. I will post the final results.
Tom

[Bill Kapaun]

Sounds like the regulator is fried and allowing AC volts to the battery. AC kills them rather quickly.
During your test, if you had switched your meter to AC, you probably would have seen "some". There shouldn't be ANY.

[itteitj]

Follow up to original post. The service guy called and said the machine is ready. He also told me they found a disconnected wire somewhere in the charging system. I don't buy this as there was an indication of +17 volts across the battery terminals while the engine was running. I still think there is a problem with the voltage regulator. This is why I would rather fix it myself than deal with these people. I will get the part myself.
Tom

[Restrorob]

I still think there is a problem with the voltage regulator.

When you go to pick it up before anything is paid make them put a tester across the battery, If it's still over charging make THEM fix it !!!

[itteitj]

When I picked up the machine they told me they repaired a loose wire and the charging rate was normal. I checked it after using it for the day and it read about 13 volts accross the battery while running.

[Bill Kapaun]

Was that at full engine speed? 13V sounds a bit on the low side, unless the engine was running slow. I'd expect a reading in the "high" 13's or so at full speed.

[itteitj]

The engine was at idle. I will check it at half throttle.

[khouse]

Full throttle not half.

[fixer67]

13.8 volts DC is the standard charging voltage for a 12 volt lead acid battery. Minimum voltage should be no less than 12.8 DC and then you are asking for trouble. Maximum voltage should be no more than than 14.8 volts DC. A weak battery or heavy power drain can push that voltage to as high as 16 for short periods of time with no damage to the battery or charging system. You really have a narrow range from too low to too high. You need to check for AC voltage piggy backing the DC from the regulator. You should not get AC voltage of more than 1 volt and this is from static on the line. You all so need to check for off line power drain, that is something pulling power after you turn the engine off and remove the key.