Mahindra 4530 is killing batteries

[daydk1]

I bought a 2014 Mahindra 4530 in December 2015 from a dealer. The tractor had been used on the lot to move things around. It had five hours on it. When they sold it to me, the battery was dead and they had the charger on it. I didn't think anything about it. When they delivered the tractor, the tractor started fine. I started it and used a couple of days and then parked it for about two months. When I went out to start it again, the battery was dead. Nothing. No click. I tried to jump it and nothing. I tried charging it and it wouldn't charge. I took the battery out and replaced it with a new one from O'Reillys. The guy at O'Reilly's said the battery had a dead cell. I used the tractor a couple of weekends to do some garden tillering and some bush hogging and it started fine every time. The tractor has been parked for a month. I went to start it today and again, nothing. No click. The parking brake light lights up, but it got weaker the longer the key stayed on. What could be killing the batteries on this tractor? There are no lights left on. I've read on a form where the glow plug relay might be sticking and killing the battery. I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know much about electrical systems. I'm calling the dealer and complaining tomorrow. The tractor is still under warranty, but I'm about 2 hours from the dealer. I thought I would see if anyone else has had an issue with your Mahindra tractors killing batteries.

 

[davesl708]

Your machine is probably computer controlled. That will drain the battery in time.
If you have a loose ground wire that can cause the computer to wake up and drain the battery as well.
If you plan to leave it sit for a month or more would probably be best to disconnect the battery.
A battery switch is the most convenient way to do it.

 

[daydk1]

It seems to me that a brand new tractor should not be having this issue.

 

[davesl708]

Even your cars computer/security system will drain the battery in about 4 to 5 weeks setting idle.

 

[Navasot]

You sure its not a safety switch this time?

 

[daydk1]

I'm pretty sure. The shuttle shift is in neutral. The range selector is in neutral. The PTO is off and I had the clutch pushed in and the brakes pushed in. I think it's the battery because the only light that comes on the dash is the parking brake light and the battery light and the parking brake light was dimming.

 

[k0ua]

Step 1, measure the battery voltage under load. If it is truly dead, Charge/replace to get tractor going.
Step 2: Measure current draw with key off. If there is a current draw, perform calculation on how long battery will last with this current draw. Determine if current draw is normal or abnormal. In other words if there are computer devices that should draw a small amount of current and you determine it is normal, then start tractor once in a while or put solar or other charger on it if you are not going to use your tractor for a month at a time.

If there should not be any parasitic current draw, then you will have to track down what is drawing current. An often overlooked current draw is defective diodes in the alternator.

You could get a battery cutoff switch as a workaround.
Two months is too long to go without starting your tractor and hoping it will start. Yes I know some will start and work fine, but I would not go that long without a start and without a charger on a battery.

A stuck glow plug relay would discharge a battery in a few minutes. The current draw would be from 60 to 80 amperes. No battery would last long with that kind of draw.

 

[daydk1]

Thanks James. I'm not that mechanically inclined. What do I use to measure the current draw? I'm thinking about getting a cutoff switch and a trickle charger. Do you think it would be enough to just put a trickle charger on it and not do the cutoff switch? I'm hoping I can jump this thing off. It is a pain in the a$* to get the battery out and the tractor is in a shed that is not close to electricity to charge the battery without taking the battery out.

Step 1, measure the battery voltage under load. If it is truly dead, Charge/replace to get tractor going.
Step 2: Measure current draw with key off. If there is a current draw, perform calculation on how long battery will last with this current draw. Determine if current draw is normal or abnormal. In other words if there are computer devices that should draw a small amount of current and you determine it is normal, then start tractor once in a while or put solar or other charger on it if you are not going to use your tractor for a month at a time.

If there should not be any parasitic current draw, then you will have to track down what is drawing current. An often overlooked current draw is defective diodes in the alternator.

You could get a battery cutoff switch as a workaround.
Two months is too long to go without starting your tractor and hoping it will start. Yes I know some will start and work fine, but I would not go that long without a start and without a charger on a battery.

A stuck glow plug relay would discharge a battery in a few minutes. The current draw would be from 60 to 80 amperes. No battery would last long with that kind of draw.

 

[Navasot]

Clean your ground cable, then test the alternator. Also on your battery does it have a lot of build up on the connections?

 

[daydk1]

No, the connections are clean. I just put this new battery in the tractor in March or April. I bought the tractor in December and the battery I took out had a dead cell. I'm hoping it has not cooked this one.

Clean your ground cable, then test the alternator. Also on your battery does it have a lot of build up on the connections?

 

[k0ua]

You measure current draw with a Multimeter. Sometimes called a VOM Volt, Ohm Milliamp meter. But you cannot just pick one up and understand all that you need to know. This is why I think basic usage of this simple but vital instrument should be taught in our schools. I realize schools are not interested in teaching anything useful in a persons life, but I could hope.

If there is a parasitic current draw a trickle charger would likely solve this problem.
Keep in mind when any lead acid battery is run down its longevity has been compromised. In other words when you run a battery down, it is never has the capacity it once had even if it is fully recharged.

 

[k0ua]

When you get the battery recharged, and the tractor running again, you need to measure the charging voltage with that VOM you don't own. (you are going to buy one right?)

 

[Navasot]

If you havnt cranked it since then that's not uncommon. The ground must be cleaned were it leaves the battery and bolts onto the frame.. iv seen some with bad glow timers do the same.. and also the power cable loosing its continuity

 

[Navasot]

multi meters are handy... I use mine everyday

 

[k0ua]

multi meters are handy... I use mine everyday

You only have one? I have several. Five I think.

 

[daydk1]

I think I have one from Harbor Freight. I've just never used it. I'll get it out and see if I can figure out how to use it. I'm also going to get me another trickle charger and put on it. I have them on my two motorcycles and they work great. I may go ahead and put the kill switch on it too. I just thought it was odd that it would run the battery down that fast. I had a John Deere of similar size and it would sometimes sit for six months and start right up. I owned it for seven years and I think I replaced the battery once.

When you get the battery recharged, and the tractor running again, you need to measure the charging voltage with that VOM you don't own. (you are going to buy one right?)

 

[k0ua]

I think I have one from Harbor Freight. I've just never used it. I'll get it out and see if I can figure out how to use it. I'm also going to get me another trickle charger and put on it. I have them on my two motorcycles and they work great. I may go ahead and put the kill switch on it too. I just thought it was odd that it would run the battery down that fast. I had a John Deere of similar size and it would sometimes sit for six months and start right up. I owned it for seven years and I think I replaced the battery once.

The reason for measuring the charging voltage is to determine if the alternator/regulator is working correctly. It should be about 14.2 volts at first, and may drop down to about 13.8 or so after the battery is fully charged. I installed a digital one as a permanant mount on my tractor for continuous monitoring of battery health.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...d-voltmeter-my-kioti.html?highlight=voltmeter

 

[daydk1]

Thanks James. I ordered one of the round ones from Amazon. This looks like a necessity. Now if I can just figure out how to wire it up and where to mount it. I won't be able to get back to the tractor until Friday, but you all have given me some things to check. I hope to be able to get it started and then put it in my barn that has electricity and at least put a trickle charger on it. As soon as the voltmeter comes in, I'll get it mounted so I can see what's happening. Thanks for everyone's input.

The reason for measuring the charging voltage is to determine if the alternator/regulator is working correctly. It should be about 14.2 volts at first, and may drop down to about 13.8 or so after the battery is fully charged. I installed a digital one as a permanant mount on my tractor for continuous monitoring of battery health.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...d-voltmeter-my-kioti.html?highlight=voltmeter

 

[k0ua]

Keep in mind this voltmeter will not tell you anything about parasitic current draws from the battery when the key is turned off. Of course the voltmeter itself must be "on the key" or it would draw down the battery after a while itself. But the permanent mount voltmeter is handy to make sure the battery is charging from the alternator and that the regulator is working correctly. It can also show a trend when the key is just turned on and if the voltage is low, that a cell may be defective or the entire battery is "weak" if you understand how to interpret it.

 

[daydk1]

Yes, I understand.