Typhon Terror XVII with cab.

[kkl]

Here's a post from someone with a Typhon Terror who seemed to be reporting a similar problem: Chinese Excavators And Mini Skids - Mods And Reviews | Anybody encountered an alternator that doesn't charge | Facebook Looks like maybe it was caused by loss of the ground connection?

I have a Kubota D902 Operator's Manual that has wiring diagrams. I can send that to you if you want it.

 

[MattB4]

Here's a post from someone with a Typhon Terror who seemed to be reporting a similar problem: Chinese Excavators And Mini Skids - Mods And Reviews | Anybody encountered an alternator that doesn't charge | Facebook Looks like maybe it was caused by loss of the ground connection?

I have a Kubota D902 Operator's Manual that has wiring diagrams. I can send that to you if you want it.

Thanks but I have the operators manual.

Reading from the link it also sound like a failed alternator. An annoying thing about the battery disconnect switch (Interrupts ground) is it is easy to turn to off position inadvertently during use and force the excavator to operate only from the alternator. Too many times of having that happen may be what leads to failure.

Looking about I can source a replacement alternator easily enough if Typhon does not come through. Likely will also replace my battery (leave the old one abandoned in place and rewire) since testing indicates it should be.

Edit: I would strongly advise replacing the battery cutoff switch if you own one of these excavators. It may not lead to alternator failure but it is a constant problem of having your legs flipping the switch to Off as you move them about. Poor placement and low quality of switch used by Typhon.

Added Edit: Thinking things out a bit more I now suspect that a factor that may contribute to early battery failure (besides being a cheap Chinese battery) exists. This engine has a 55A alternator and the battery they put into the excavator looks rather small. I can not see it to get its rating for Amp-hour or CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) but I bet it is not near enough to handle being charged at 55A rate without stressing the battery. It should have a 600CCA or 75-85ah minimum. Better would be 750CCA or 100ah but that is a fairly large battery to fit anywhere.

 

[MattB4]

Typhon has agreed to send a new alternator. Has to come from China so it takes a few weeks.


Edit:3/14/26 For anyone reading this I found another area of concern with the way this is wired. The gauge of the charge wire from the alternator looks to be 12awg or at most 10awg. This is insufficient for a 55A alternator. If the slow blow fuse is 40A as indicated by the operators manual due to a typical 40A alternator spec, or even less due to them shoehorning in this engine, instead of the D722, and Air con setup than electrical issues are going to happen.

 

[kkl]

Typhon has agreed to send a new alternator. Has to come from China so it takes a few weeks.

Delay must be annoying but at least they're stepping up. Troubling that they don't have major parts on hand. Thanks for keeping us updated. I could be following in your footsteps soon.

 

[MattB4]

Happened to spot a replacement Kubota alternator off Ebay for $80 and went ahead and got it, it was shipped in 3 days, since I have no confidence in Typhon*. If they do end up sending me one it will become a spare. I replaced the battery for an 600cca automotive one from Walmart mounted behind the seat in the cab. New wires going to starter and alternator and a new ground disconnect since the other one was a problem.

I will say the worse of the whole process is the damn Allen head, long machine screw through the bottom bracket of the alternator. There is no space to get to it with the radiator in front. I ended up slowly working it a partial turn at a time with slip-joint pliers. Than had to put it back mostly the same. This should be a bolt.

My machine starts and give 14.5v now like it did when new.

* Edit 4/4/26: Seems I was right to not trust Typhon. As of yet no alternator from them nor indication that any is being sent. Rather poor to say that they will and not follow through with doing so or providing a reason why they are not.

 

[kkl]

Thanks for the update Matt. Sounds tedious. So you just left the original battery in place?

 

[MattB4]

Thanks for the update Matt. Sounds tedious. So you just left the original battery in place?

Yes. Sealed off the wires with black tape since there is no easy way to free them from the battery.

BTW, I recommend a 4-6 inch C-clamp for aligning the mounting plates of the various items that allow enough access to replace the alternator. The bolt holes won't line up and you need to draw things together to thread bolts back in. I found getting to the starter terminal (battery and alternator rewire) required taking off the diesel/water separator first.

 

[MattB4]

If anyone has trouble with getting cold air from the air conditioner I found an area you can look at.

The symptoms were the fans all ran but no cold air would blow, no error codes displayed. I though at first that the coolant might have leaked out. After taking off the plastic top cover I was tracing out the wires when I happened to notice where the power wires came into the compressor that the terminal screw was very loose. Upon tightening it down good and tight the compressor was now able to run and cold air began to flow.

You would not think a loose connection could be a problem on a new machine but there is many such little details that pop up with these Chinese minis.

 

[kkl]

Matt, at one point you wrote that you'd probably cut the blue side panel for battery access. Is there a reason you decided to not go that route? I don't know if there's a way to hinge it and make it look nice.

 

[MattB4]

Matt, at one point you wrote that you'd probably cut the blue side panel for battery access. Is there a reason you decided to not go that route? I don't know if there's a way to hinge it and make it look nice.

Yes it was a thought I had until I saw the space between the top deck and battery. There is zero room to put the cable on to the battery terminals without removing metal deck plate, which is rather involved, and to remove deck plate you must first remove cab.

Than there was the fact the factory battery it has is undersized for the charging system. Larger capacity battery simply would not fit where it is.

 

[kkl]

Once the side retainer is removed, won't the battery slide out? I have no idea if the wires are long enough. That wouldn't help with your upsized battery solution, but I was wondering about a lithium battery which tend to be smaller. Just spitballing here. Thanks for sharing your solution. (Photo from Typhon video)

 

[D'oh]

Thanks but I have the operators manual.

Reading from the link it also sound like a failed alternator. An annoying thing about the battery disconnect switch (Interrupts ground) is it is easy to turn to off position inadvertently during use and force the excavator to operate only from the alternator. Too many times of having that happen may be what leads to failure.

Looking about I can source a replacement alternator easily enough if Typhon does not come through. Likely will also replace my battery (leave the old one abandoned in place and rewire) since testing indicates it should be.

Edit: I would strongly advise replacing the battery cutoff switch if you own one of these excavators. It may not lead to alternator failure but it is a constant problem of having your legs flipping the switch to Off as you move them about. Poor placement and low quality of switch used by Typhon.

Added Edit: Thinking things out a bit more I now suspect that a factor that may contribute to early battery failure (besides being a cheap Chinese battery) exists. This engine has a 55A alternator and the battery they put into the excavator looks rather small. I can not see it to get its rating for Amp-hour or CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) but I bet it is not near enough to handle being charged at 55A rate without stressing the battery. It should have a 600CCA or 75-85ah minimum. Better would be 750CCA or 100ah but that is a fairly large battery to fit anywhere.

My NT18K 722 Kubota, with a 14A Alt/Magneto what ever you want to call it, didn't cook the Battery, but the Battery that it was shipped with was way too small, and it was Cheap. I accidentally left the switch on for 2 nights, and killed the Battery. Never could get it to fully Recharge after that.

Slapped a Group 27 out of my Boy's Tundra, redid the Hold Down strap and drilled 1 hole for the longer battery.

The thing will start now @ -5 F.


So the Big Question is. Is the 2 Ton twice as good as the 1 Ton? Pros and Cons?

I made a similar switch, 1.2T Gas to a 1.4T Diesel but haven't had much of a chance to use it.

Even had a 2.5T V twin Gas for a bit (5 hours) liked it, it could move some Crazy Rocks and Stumps, but I was worried about the Glass getting broken. The Cab was Hot, even in Mild Temps. and the Bigger Motor, didn't run Bigger Pumps or Much Cylinders, so the actual force was very similar to the 1.2T, other than Weight of it.

 

[D'oh]

Thanks but I have the operators manual.

Reading from the link it also sound like a failed alternator. An annoying thing about the battery disconnect switch (Interrupts ground) is it is easy to turn to off position inadvertently during use and force the excavator to operate only from the alternator. Too many times of having that happen may be what leads to failure.

Strange, My NT18k, if the Switch goes to "Off" the Machine stops.

Your Fuel Shut Off Solenoid must be wired differently

 

[D'oh]

Anybody have a source for an adapter from the Thumbs auxiliary flow selector to a Hydraulic quick connector? The fitting on the selector is designed to connect to a 14mm DIN light hose. I find many female 14mm QC's but they are not DIN and lack the o-ring seal.

Hydraulic Quick Connector for M14, Quick Disconnect Hydraulic Coupling/Coupler Kits for connect different hydraulic tool : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

Hydraulic Quick Connector for M14, Quick Disconnect Hydraulic Coupling/Coupler Kits for connect different hydraulic tool : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.ca

Find a 14mm Quick Connect is the easiest way to go about it.

 

[MattB4]

...


So the Big Question is. Is the 2 Ton twice as good as the 1 Ton? Pros and Cons?

...

Not twice as good. It has better stability (wider and longer tracks), the diesel, the Aircon cab is nice though cramped and difficult to get in and out of, stouter overall build and other improvements. It unfortunately is still as slow, hydraulic pump is no better, has some poorly made design choices (as mentioned about the electrical setup), as the 1-Ton models.

Maybe a 1/3rd better?

 

[D'oh]

Not twice as good. It has better stability (wider and longer tracks), the diesel, the Aircon cab is nice though cramped and difficult to get in and out of, stouter overall build and other improvements. It unfortunately is still as slow, hydraulic pump is no better, has some poorly made design choices (as mentioned about the electrical setup), as the 1-Ton models.

Maybe a 1/3rd better?

Give the Diesel a little time to Shine In.

Simple Physics, Hydraulic Pressure in a X" by X" Cylinder will apply X Force. So, other than 30-35% more weight to Counter X Force, my 1.4T machine does little more than the old Gas 1.2T machine;

Perhaps less, with the Weight spread over longer tracks means lees PSI Ground weight.

But, realizing that, the Liquid Cooling, the Low RPM Torque, the 2 extra cylinders smoothness, and Pilot Smoothness, I would intially say I am 50% more happy with the Bigger one, Time will tell

 

[kkl]

Interesting video from Typhon on their method for draining hydraulic fluid from this model:

 

[D'oh]

Interesting video from Typhon on their method for draining hydraulic fluid from this model:

The rest of the cylinders will still have the Trash Original Oil, but it would blow out the majority of the oil.