B2400 non-starting electrical issue solved -- MESSY --

[Unregistered2013]

so, i have a b2400 in great shape -- with 1,000 hours on her.

about a month ago, i decided to get battery minders for all my junk -- for the winter, to keep the voltages healthy and the like.

my b2400 had been running fine prior to the "minder", but she had an old battery in her.

one day i came out, battery dead as a doornail, with the minder on her --

i then got an optima battery and tried to start the b2400, and she just cranked over -- weird.

i noticed the negative ground clamp was shot, so i replaced that. it smoked when i tried to start it (just a whisp) -- i thought from a weak connection.

we re-did the connection, and she turned over -- but then just "clicked" when we tried to start her.

that's where my dad came in --

we found 12.7 volts back at the starter -- so took the starter off -- it was fried -- weird.

got a new mitsubishi starter -- put her in -- now the engine turned over like a dream, but she wouldn't start -- :|

we went to the factory service manual, and followed the wires to the fuel shut-off solenoid. we were getting 12.7 volts there, too. plus, got a decent resistance.

so, we figured the solenoid was shot. they range in price at dealers (??) by $10, and we found one yesterday for $125 at the 'bota dealer, so bought it and dropped her in, reconnecting the wiring plug.

tractor started right up!!!

i trace back the mess to the bad ground i put on, when the whisp of smoke came in -- the short disallowed enough voltage to properly start the tractor, frying the starter and solenoid.

sorry, no pics of the carnage -- it was dark and i wasn't in the best company, with my dad a little cranky --

 

[radioman]

wow. all that from possible from battery minder ? makes you want to stop using it ? this is all too wierd. I feel for you, at leastyou got everything up and running.

 

[bstrom]

reminds me of that old saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it". I've done stuff like that too, you think you are doing something good, then it all goes terribly wrong.

 

[stayalert]

Cool you got it fixed Eric....I have a B2400 also and am just now looking into adding a light or 2. The Kubota dealer where I bought it (used) said check to see if it has a dynamo or alternator....

dynamo provides ample charging but not so well with additional draws.

alternator (plug and play) from them is ~$150

to distinguish dynamo from alternator remove belt - alternator spins freely, dynamp goes clunk clunk clunk (a feeling not a sound) hen you turn it.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this small project? The fuse block shows a work light designation and I founf a bullet connector under the skirt that looks like it would serve the purpose (havn't tested it yet)

thoughts?

Rob M
Norwich, VT