Charging Light

[silverdollar6]

I have a ym1610d that after running about 10 minutes you can see a faint light on the dash, I guess it is in the battery charging window, it will go out if I turn the headlights on, would this be some kind of feedback from a bad ground. I put a new voltage regulator on it about four monthes ago for this reason.

 

[LMTC]

I guess it is in the battery charging window

Kind of hard to respond if you don't know for sure what light is coming on.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

I have a ym1610d that after running about 10 minutes you can see a faint light on the dash, I guess it is in the battery charging window, it will go out if I turn the headlights on, would this be some kind of feedback from a bad ground. I put a new voltage regulator on it about four monthes ago for this reason.

George, that sounds identical to the symptoms my YM2220D was presenting a while back. Replacing the regulator appears to have solved my problem. I notice you recently installed a new regulator. Did this problem predate the new requlator or did it appear later?

 

[Coyote]

I have a ym1610d that after running about 10 minutes you can see a faint light on the dash, I guess it is in the battery charging window, it will go out if I turn the headlights on, would this be some kind of feedback from a bad ground. I put a new voltage regulator on it about four monthes ago for this reason.

What RPM does this occur? Idle or running speed?

 

[silverdollar6]

sorry about the lack of info, I am sure it is the charging light, the one with the lighting bolt. this is the reason that I put the new regulator on, I thought that fixed it but after it warms up a little the light comes on real faint at first then will get a little brighter as I run. if I reduce rpm it gets dimmer.

 

[normde2001]

What voltage does your battery show at about 1500 rpm? Sounds like it's indicating an over-charge condition, brightens with higher rpm, dims at idle, and/or more current draw.

 

[kenmac]

seems strange for the charging / alt.light to go out when you turn the head lights on

 

[Tom_Veatch]

seems strange for the charging / alt.light to go out when you turn the head lights on

If it is an overcharge indication, turning on the headlights could soak up the "extra" current. Yeah, I know, I'm reaching.

This is very similar to a problem I had a few months ago on my YM2220D and described in this thread. Here is a thread on what looks to be the same or similar occurrence in another YM1610D.

My problem was cured (so far) with a new regulator. The OP indicates that his regulator was recently replaced. Wonder if there is some undiagnosed electrical problem that is repeatedly wiping out his regulators? I understand that solid state devices can be sensitive to overvoltage surges, reversed voltages/currents, etc.

 

[kenmac]

Tom ,I guess I wasn't thinking of the light comming on on an over charge situtation. Would the light come on in an over charge sitiation ?

 

[Tom_Veatch]

... Would the light come on in an over charge sitiation ?

I have no idea. I seem to remember that possibility being voiced earlier in the thread and was replying with that in mind.

I know when my problem first started, the light was very dim and turning on the headlights made it go out. Don't know how, don't know why. Later on, the situation progressed to the point that when the light came on, it came on bright and stayed that way, headlights or no headlights.

 

[normde2001]

I have no idea. I seem to remember that possibility being voiced earlier in the thread and was replying with that in mind.

I know when my problem first started, the light was very dim and turning on the headlights made it go out. Don't know how, don't know why. Later on, the situation progressed to the point that when the light came on, it came on bright and stayed that way, headlights or no headlights.

That's why he needs to know how much charge voltage he is dealing with. Needs to be about 13.5-15 DC volts.

 

[silverdollar6]

OK, I finally got a volt meter. before I start it the meter reads 12.5

when I start it and idle at 1500rpms the meter reads 13.6

I waited until the charging light came on, it was very faint but now it seems like it is comming on sooner.

now what?

 

[Eddie]

Kinda stretch, but make sure your alternator belt is good and tight. I have had them slip at higher RPMs

 

[normde2001]

OK, I finally got a volt meter. before I start it the meter reads 12.5

when I start it and idle at 1500rpms the meter reads 13.6

I waited until the charging light came on, it was very faint but now it seems like it is comming on sooner.

now what?

The battery is kind of low, even though the charging circuit seems to be working. Hard to say from a distance why the light is coming on. I would check/clean everything, and see if it will fully charge the battery, (about 12.75-13 volts).

 

[silverdollar6]

Thanks, I will clean all the electrical connections I can and see if anything changes.

 

[zzvyb6]

Same thing happened to me on my 18hp Yanmar and lately on my Yanmar/JD1070. I replace regulator but only fixed it for a while. Turns out it was a melted/burned spade lug in the plastic 4 terminal connector. Once this was fixed, problem went away.