Testing Voltage Regulator

[ufengineer]

My tractor isn't charging its battery. I tested the alternator and it seems to be working. How do you test the voltage regulator? What are the other likely culprits? I hate to just start replacing parts. What about wiring or connectors?

The little alternator light on the dash is on.

The tractor is a ym2010.

Thanks

 

[davesl708]

Start with the simple first. Check ground wire as well as positive connections. Test the voltage going into and out of the voltage regulator.
Should be around 12.8 to 13.7 volts coming out of the regulator. If you can read the label on the regulator it should tell you what the output should be.
Measure the voltage on the battery terminals while the tractor is running. If less than 12v then the problem is most likely the regulator.
Have you load tested the battery? It may show 12v but with a bad cell cannot put out the amps.

 

[ufengineer]

Anyone try this procedure? I did and it looks like the voltage regulator is bad.

 

[davesl708]

Looks like you found the problem.:thumbsup:

 

[ufengineer]

Thanks Dave. I'm trying to figure out which on to get. Prices vary from $30 to $120 ? Hoye has them for $75.

 

[davesl708]

Well at $120 you can buy four of the $30 ones.

 

[Scotty Dive]

Do you have the dynamo or an alternator? Depending on that answer, I think there is a datsun part that will work too???? Do a search on datsun regulator.

 

[California]

The '72 Datsun alternator and matching regulator were used by Yanmar on YM2000 and probably some earlier similar models.

I don't know if they continued with that set for the YM2010.

 

[ufengineer]

I have the original dynamo

 

[careyo63]

Part# AL-1215 12V 15amp. is what Fredricks Outdoors is showing. My bet at 15amp. that's a Dynamo.

 

[careyo63]

Part# AL-1215 12V 15amp. is what Fredricks Outdoors is showing. My bet at 15amp. it's a Dynamo. I had to check Hoye and the #'s match with a photo. At that price if it was mine, I would check into a converting it to a Alternator with a built in Reg.. It's came up before on here I believe. Fred. smallest Alt. is 35Amp. and 40Amp. with a built in Reg..

 

[Trkrd]

I had a similar problem a few years back. I unbolted the regulator from under the dash and discovered some critters had decided to move into it. Gave it a good cleaning and blew it out with the air hose and all was well !

 

[ufengineer]

I wish I were that lucky. My regulator shows no conductivity between any of the terminals, i.e. completely dead.