Ditch Witch J20 - Battery Keeps Running Down - Wisconsin TJD Engine

[Cowansauto]

I have an older Ditch Witch J20 equipped with a 2 cylinder Wisconsin TJD 18HP air cooled engine that I bought at an equipment auction a month ago.

When I picked it up the battery was weak and required using a jump box to get it to start to load it onto my trailer.

Once I got it home, I had to hook the jump box to get it running to unload it. I tested the battery and it was very weak so I went ahead and replaced the battery, ignition switch, the wiring going to the starter solenoid and the wiring from the solenoid to the starter case. It set for a week or two with the new battery installed while I replaced the wiring to the switch and to the starter solenoid. When I eventually got it all replaced and tried to start it, it still wouldn’t crank unless I hooked the jump box to it.

Any ideas what may be causing the battery to run down and the troubleshooting steps I should take to narrow down the cause?

 

[DJ54]

If it has an alternator sounds like it may have a diode out on the alternator.

 

[Cowansauto]

If it has an alternator sounds like it may have a diode out on the alternator.

We have a local alternator repair shop I could take it to to get checked out. I may try that!

 

[SPYDERLK]

Purchased an older J20 Ditch Witch recently that has a 2 cylinder TJD Wisconsin TJD 18HP air cooled engine in it. When I bought it at auction the battery was weak and required using a jump box to attempt to start it. Got it home and had to jump it to unload it. I replaced the battery, ignition switch and the wiring going to the starter solenoid and the wiring from the solenoid to the starter case and its still doing the same thing. I can use a jump box and it will crank right over easily.

Any ideas what may be causing this and the troubleshooting steps I should take?

Pls clarify.-- The new and fully charged battery cranks the engine weakly??

 

[Cowansauto]

Pls clarify.-- The new and fully charged battery cranks the engine weakly??

I put the new battery in and spent about a week finishing up the wiring and installing the new ignition switch. So even with the new battery in and the new wiring, it still took a jump box to get it to crank over. In other words with the new battery installed, something is either pulling down the new battery

 

[5030]

I put the new battery in and spent about a week finishing up the wiring and installing the new ignition switch. So even with the new battery in and the new wiring, it still took a jump box to get it to crank over. In other words with the new battery installed, something is either pulling down the new battery

If I were you as you diagnose the root cause of the drain, I'd install a battery disconnect on the POSITIVE terminal of the battery, not eht negative terminal as breaking the positive will isolate the battery from the system and allow it to retain it's charge. I run disconnect switches on all my tractors and even my diesel powered lawnmower, so when they sit and I go to start them, they start...

Cheap on Amascon or at your local auto parts emporiun. I use the knife style myself.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I put the new battery in and spent about a week finishing up the wiring and installing the new ignition switch. So even with the new battery in and the new wiring, it still took a jump box to get it to crank over. In other words with the new battery installed, something is either pulling down the new battery

--- or the new battery was not well charged to start with. After running the machine for awhile with the new battery in, would it restart ok? Are you monitoring Voltage during running? It should go up to 12.8 nearly right away and then climb into the 13s, even eventually go as high as Lo/mid 14s in response to alternator output.

 

[LittleBill21]

yea use a voltmeter and stop guessing whats going on

 

[Cowansauto]

yea use a voltmeter and stop guessing whats going on

Ok. What am I testing? Where do I test it at? When do I test it (ingition switch off, on, run, etc.)? That's why I asked for some trouble shooting steps. I am new to this!

If I were you as you diagnose the root cause of the drain, I'd install a battery disconnect on the POSITIVE terminal of the battery, not eht negative terminal as breaking the positive will isolate the battery from the system and allow it to retain it's charge. I run disconnect switches on all my tractors and even my diesel powered lawnmower, so when they sit and I go to start them, they start...

Cheap on Amascon or at your local auto parts emporiun. I use the knife style myself.

I seriously thought about doing that. I like to try and fix the issue first before resorting to that if at all possible.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Ok. What am I testing? Where do I test it at? When do I test it (ingition switch off, on, run, etc.)? That's why I asked for some trouble shooting steps. I am new to this!




I seriously thought about doing that. I like to try and fix the issue first before resorting to that if at all possible.

Check the voltage at the battery terminals while running above idle. It should be as I described above. If not we will explore further.