Loftyrule’s TEF20

Loftyrules · Apr 22, 2018

I’ve received help on other threads but as I think I’ll have a few questions as time goes on I’d create a sole thread for my TEF20 which I have finally got running (I am totally non mechanical)

It’s been out working harrowing and rolling a 3 acre paddock however the battery is now pretty much dead so it needs jump starting, why has it drained the battery and why isn’t it charging a it runs?

Tigger · Apr 22, 2018

If just 'not charging' then Is the dynamo actually turning (belt not slipping when engine running)?
If it is then it might be failty itself, I'm not an expert at all here so will leave that to others to advise.

But a battery draining while running a diesel engined vehicle sounds odd to me. Some electronic short or fault.

Good work on getting it running and working so far anyway.

TripleSix · Apr 22, 2018

Mine doesn't charge...

It can only be the Dynamo, wiring or control box...

smcapstick · Apr 22, 2018

Have you flashed the dynamo to make sure it’s polarised?

Loftyrules · Apr 23, 2018

smcapstick said:
Have you flashed the dynamo to make sure it’s polarised?

Have I done the what? I am a complete mechanical numpty

smcapstick · Apr 23, 2018

Loftyrules said:
Have I done the what? I am a complete mechanical numpty

Your dynamo is a big magnet with a copper coil spinning around inside it. If the magnet is weak or, more specifically, has lost north/south polarity, it needs a blast of voltage to beef it up. Google it

Loftyrules · Apr 23, 2018

@smcapstick ecen with my lack of knowledge I am guessing this is the problem

smcapstick · Apr 23, 2018

Loftyrules said:
@smcapstick ecen with my lack of knowledge I am guessing this is the problem

D'oh!

Love an easy fix, though

Tigger · Apr 23, 2018

Cor! I wish my fixes recently had been that easy to sort out too! Hopefully that's all that's needed anyway.

Mursal · Apr 23, 2018

Happy days .............

REStracTORATION · Apr 23, 2018

You flooky bugger

X344chap · Apr 24, 2018

Doesn't explain why the battery would flatten though - did it start the tractor ok and by the end of the day it was completely flat? A good battery should start your tractor a couple of times even if its not being charged before it would flatten. Does the battery go flat overnight? Contact in the regulator could be stuck shut causing the battery to discharge through the dynamo and possibly overheating the wire to the D terminal on the dynamo causing it to eventually break?

Mursal · Apr 24, 2018

Cold hard reality has raised its ugly head ............

Loftyrules · Apr 24, 2018

X344chap said:
Doesn't explain why the battery would flatten though - did it start the tractor ok and by the end of the day it was completely flat? A good battery should start your tractor a couple of times even if its not being charged before it would flatten. Does the battery go flat overnight? Contact in the regulator could be stuck shut causing the battery to discharge through the dynamo and possibly overheating the wire to the D terminal on the dynamo causing it to eventually break?

Started ok (ish) and then it worked for a few hours and when I turned it off to answer the phone I went to start it again 1 minute later and it was completely flat. How can I tell if your theory is the issue? The wire is back connected again so will get it started and run it for a bit and see what happens

Mursal · Apr 24, 2018

Regulator cut-out test engine stopped:
With a good battery fitted, take the large wire off the dynamo (D terminal) and see can you see small sparks from current flowing, as you join/disconnect the wire. Or if you have a voltmeter connected between the terminal and wire see can you get battery voltage?

Charging test running:
If you have a voltmeter (multi-meter) set it to DC Volts and connect across the battery, the voltage should rise (eventually) above battery voltage (read it before you start the tractor) with the engine running. Don't be expecting to much from a dynamo charging system. So if there is 12volts in the battery when stopped, running at a fast tick-over you should see it rise towards 13Volts?

Loftyrules · Apr 24, 2018

Mursal said:
Regulator cut-out test engine stopped:
With a good battery fitted, take the large wire off the dynamo (D terminal) and see can you see small sparks from current flowing, as you join/disconnect the wire. Or if you have a voltmeter connected between the terminal and wire see can you get battery voltage?

Charging test running:
If you have a voltmeter (multi-meter) set it to DC Volts and connect across the battery, the voltage should rise (eventually) above battery voltage (read it before you start the tractor) with the engine running. Don't be expecting to much from a dynamo charging system. So if there is 12volts in the battery when stopped, running at a fast tick-over you should see it rise towards 13Volts?

Thanks will have a look and see, I don’t own a multi meter but the chap who has helped me does so I’ll try that when he’s next over

X344chap · Apr 25, 2018

Long shot - but do your headlights work on the tractor? If so wait till near dark start the engine and put the lights on. If battery is low then the headlights will be dim. Rev the tractor and the light should brighten when the regulator cuts in and allows the dynamo to charge the battery.

The problem with dynamos is that they generate less than 12v at low speed. The regulator connects the dynamo to the battery when the output from the generator exceeds the voltage in the battery and disconnects it again when the dynamo voltage drops too far. This is why alternators were developed as they can generate 12v at low speed.

Loftyrules · Apr 25, 2018

X344chap said:
Long shot - but do your headlights work on the tractor? If so wait till near dark start the engine and put the lights on. If battery is low then the headlights will be dim. Rev the tractor and the light should brighten when the regulator cuts in and allows the dynamo to charge the battery.

The problem with dynamos is that they generate less than 12v at low speed. The regulator connects the dynamo to the battery when the output from the generator exceeds the voltage in the battery and disconnects it again when the dynamo voltage drops too far. This is why alternators were developed as they can generate 12v at low speed.

Sadly no lights. I connected the wire yesterday and ran it for a bit I then stopped and it started again straight away, I’ll see if it starts later today, I’ve got some fert to put on this week so if it runs for a few hours and then stops and won’t start I’ll keep investigating the problem.

tomlad · Apr 25, 2018

It will need a while on 3/4 rev to charge
As said above

If we decide all is well id give it a mains charge to help fill up the battery

If ur only pottering that wont be helping

Loftyrules · Apr 25, 2018

tomlad said:
It will need a while on 3/4 rev to charge
As said above

If we decide all is well id give it a mains charge to help fill up the battery

If ur only pottering that wont be helping

Best mains charger? The little scamps that stole by quad bike and other tools also pinched the charger so I need a new one

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