Kioti CK30 battery light

WhiteHill · Aug 24, 2016

My battery indicator light came on about the same time I noticed the tractor cranking more slowly. I replaced the battery, but the light is still on. What might cause this? I thought there was a separate alternator indicator light if the charging system was bad.

DK35vince · Aug 24, 2016

WhiteHill said:
My battery indicator light came on about the same time I noticed the tractor cranking more slowly. I replaced the battery, but the light is still on. What might cause this? I thought there was a separate alternator indicator light if the charging system was bad.

No separate alternator light that I'm aware of..
Check you charging system.

Avondale · Aug 25, 2016

Hi, I have not had that problem but am interested in your solution in case mine does happen. So far, all of my electrical issues have been with the batt cables and clamps/ ground connection. One exception was the key switch issue. All of these have been well discussed on these forums.

WhiteHill · Aug 25, 2016

DK35vince - You are correct. I got the shop manual and the trouble shooting section for this indicator lists only 2 solutions:

1. Wiring harness disconnected
2. Alternator Defective

At 1500 RPM, the battery only read 12.8V but should be around 14V. So to determine if this was due to a bad connection or a faulty alternator, I took the following steps:

Test ground path by measuring voltage from battery (-) to alternator case. Should be less than .03V
Do the same from battery (+) to alternator output terminal

Both of my measurements came back OK, so the alternator is shot. Unfortunately, this small 50A alternator costs about $255. An equivalent automotive part would be less than $100.

WhiteHill · Sep 3, 2016

Just to close the loop, I replaced the alternator and the problem is solved.

k0ua · Sep 3, 2016

WhiteHill said:
Just to close the loop, I replaced the alternator and the problem is solved.

In the "old days" there were many "battery, starter, alternator" shops in most larger cities. I don't know about now. I can remember getting starters and alternators rebuilt for around 1/3 of the price of new ones. In fact these small shops would even dismount and remount starters and alternators if you could get the vehicle to their shop. Many would offer free testing also. Rebuilding of alternators would usually include new bearings as well as the electrical components needing replaced. They were a good value, and worked while you waited around.

Alien · Jan 10, 2019

Old thread but may be useful to someone else. 2006 CK30 HST.

My alternator light was glowing which means no charge. Tested and only read 12.2 volts. Removed the alternator and mostly dismantled but can't get the back (with inbuilt regulator) off it. I'm picking the rear bearing is just tight in the housing. Don't want to wreck it. I will soak a bit of CRC in there and see if that helps.
A bit disappointed as it is just a bit over 600 hours and a alternator in this situation should last a lot longer. (I am a retired mechanic)
Will update if I have some success. Hoping the brushes are just stuck but probably hoping for too much.
Might be a new one coming up. I was just checking my little 'Panther ' over for the coming mowing season. Bad timing.

Avondale · Jan 11, 2019

Alien said:
Old thread but may be useful to someone else. 2006 CK30 HST.

My alternator light was glowing which means no charge. Tested and only read 12.2 volts. Removed the alternator and mostly dismantled but can't get the back (with inbuilt regulator) off it. I'm picking the rear bearing is just tight in the housing. Don't want to wreck it. I will soak a bit of CRC in there and see if that helps.
A bit disappointed as it is just a bit over 600 hours and a alternator in this situation should last a lot longer. (I am a retired mechanic)
Will update if I have some success. Hoping the brushes are just stuck but probably hoping for too much.
Might be a new one coming up. I was just checking my little 'Panther ' over for the coming mowing season. Bad timing.

I hope you will keep us up to date with progress. I have a 2006 DK and was having the usual ground strap, batt post issues. I have replaced both of the cables and the batt with readily available parts from Canadian Tire Stores, now seems to work much better.