Typhon Terror XVII with cab.

[kkl]

Here's a post from someone with a Typhon Terror who seemed to be reporting a similar problem: Chinese Excavators And Mini Skids - Mods And Reviews | Anybody encountered an alternator that doesn't charge | Facebook Looks like maybe it was caused by loss of the ground connection?

I have a Kubota D902 Operator's Manual that has wiring diagrams. I can send that to you if you want it.

 

[MattB4]

Here's a post from someone with a Typhon Terror who seemed to be reporting a similar problem: Chinese Excavators And Mini Skids - Mods And Reviews | Anybody encountered an alternator that doesn't charge | Facebook Looks like maybe it was caused by loss of the ground connection?

I have a Kubota D902 Operator's Manual that has wiring diagrams. I can send that to you if you want it.

Thanks but I have the operators manual.

Reading from the link it also sound like a failed alternator. An annoying thing about the battery disconnect switch (Interrupts ground) is it is easy to turn to off position inadvertently during use and force the excavator to operate only from the alternator. Too many times of having that happen may be what leads to failure.

Looking about I can source a replacement alternator easily enough if Typhon does not come through. Likely will also replace my battery (leave the old one abandoned in place and rewire) since testing indicates it should be.

Edit: I would strongly advise replacing the battery cutoff switch if you own one of these excavators. It may not lead to alternator failure but it is a constant problem of having your legs flipping the switch to Off as you move them about. Poor placement and low quality of switch used by Typhon.

Added Edit: Thinking things out a bit more I now suspect that a factor that may contribute to early battery failure (besides being a cheap Chinese battery) exists. This engine has a 55A alternator and the battery they put into the excavator looks rather small. I can not see it to get its rating for Amp-hour or CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) but I bet it is not near enough to handle being charged at 55A rate without stressing the battery. It should have a 600CCA or 75-85ah minimum. Better would be 750CCA or 100ah but that is a fairly large battery to fit anywhere.

 

[MattB4]

Typhon has agreed to send a new alternator. Has to come from China so it takes a few weeks.


Edit:3/14/26 For anyone reading this I found another area of concern with the way this is wired. The gauge of the charge wire from the alternator looks to be 12awg or at most 10awg. This is insufficient for a 55A alternator. If the slow blow fuse is 40A as indicated by the operators manual due to a typical 40A alternator spec, or even less due to them shoehorning in this engine, instead of the D722, and Air con setup than electrical issues are going to happen.

 

[kkl]

Typhon has agreed to send a new alternator. Has to come from China so it takes a few weeks.

Delay must be annoying but at least they're stepping up. Troubling that they don't have major parts on hand. Thanks for keeping us updated. I could be following in your footsteps soon.

 

[MattB4]

Happened to spot a replacement Kubota alternator off Ebay for $80 and went ahead and got it, it was shipped in 3 days, since I have no confidence in Typhon. If they do end up sending me one it will become a spare. I replaced the battery for an 600cca automotive one from Walmart mounted behind the seat in the cab. New wires going to starter and alternator and a new ground disconnect since the other one was a problem.

I will say the worse of the whole process is the damn Allen head, long machine screw through the bottom bracket of the alternator. There is no space to get to it with the radiator in front. I ended up slowly working it a partial turn at a time with slip-joint pliers. Than had to put it back mostly the same. This should be a bolt.

My machine starts and give 14.5v now like it did when new.

 

[kkl]

Thanks for the update Matt. Sounds tedious. So you just left the original battery in place?

 

[MattB4]

Thanks for the update Matt. Sounds tedious. So you just left the original battery in place?

Yes. Sealed off the wires with black tape since there is no easy way to free them from the battery.

BTW, I recommend a 4-6 inch C-clamp for aligning the mounting plates of the various items that allow enough access to replace the alternator. The bolt holes won't line up and you need to draw things together to thread bolts back in. I found getting to the starter terminal (battery and alternator rewire) required taking off the diesel/water separator first.

 

[MattB4]

If anyone has trouble with getting cold air from the air conditioner I found an area you can look at.

The symptoms were the fans all ran but no cold air would blow, no error codes displayed. I though at first that the coolant might have leaked out. After taking off the plastic top cover I was tracing out the wires when I happened to notice where the power wires came into the compressor that the terminal screw was very loose. Upon tightening it down good and tight the compressor was now able to run and cold air began to flow.

You would not think a loose connection could be a problem on a new machine but there is many such little details that pop up with these Chinese minis.