Hi, I have a Husqvarna YTH18542 a year old, intek 18.5. I use her every 2 weeks. Last time to use her she didn't turn over with the key. It failed to occur to me to check the voltage at the battery, but connecting it to the charger, the tractor started right up. Charging from the magneto was solid at 16 v. so I drove it out and used it. After work, I checked resting voltage and read 14.5 v. I disconnected a battery cable and checked amperage to try to measure the draw, multimeter set to DC amps 20m (no idea what that means, it was a middle setting) and it read .05. I started disconnecting various components (fuel solenoid, starter cable, etc.) 'and saw no change (.05). Finally I disconnected the switch plug, removed some fuzz there and reconnected. Reading dropped to .01. Is that a significant reading, or am I possibly with a meter error? What does .05 (20m DCA) mean?
Battery drain
- Thread starter larryuno
- Start date
Think you are trying to say 20ma right? That's 20 milli-amps, 1,000 ma is = to one amp of current.
To do a parasitic test, disconnect the - battery terminal connector. Connect a multi meter set for 10 Amps at the red lead TO the meter. Then the dial set for milliamp scale. Meter should be reading milliamps. And the red and black leads, what you are measuring is the difference between the red and black lead in this case milliamps of current.
Connect the red lead to the battery - terminal connector because THAT connection is more positive than the - post. Lastly the black meter lead TO the - battery post. Measure away. If this was a car or truck, look for a good value of 20-30ma draw. Never did one on a mower but should be next to nothing.
No wonder mower batteries don't last for shiz nit. 16 volts is a cooker.
At rest and you got that high? Heck of a surface charge.
Get on youtube and look up parasitic draws. This will help you more.
To do a parasitic test, disconnect the - battery terminal connector. Connect a multi meter set for 10 Amps at the red lead TO the meter. Then the dial set for milliamp scale. Meter should be reading milliamps. And the red and black leads, what you are measuring is the difference between the red and black lead in this case milliamps of current.
Connect the red lead to the battery - terminal connector because THAT connection is more positive than the - post. Lastly the black meter lead TO the - battery post. Measure away. If this was a car or truck, look for a good value of 20-30ma draw. Never did one on a mower but should be next to nothing.
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.05 on the DCA 20m scale is full scale is 20 milliamps or .020 amps full scale. (what is strange is the meter should have said OL because 50 milliamps is more than the full scale of 20m)
But mute because you do not have a static drain issue.
That reading of .05 is 50 milliamps and is not your problem.
.01 is 10milliamps.
1000 milliamps is 1 amp
Your meter is indicating all is ok, no excess battery drain.
Get a battery load tester for around $30 from HF or take your battery to O'reilly for a FREE battery test.
or you could just leave one terminal off the battery for 2 weeks and if it does the same you have a bad battery.
OR if the one year old machine is still under warranty, do the warranty thing.
But mute because you do not have a static drain issue.
That reading of .05 is 50 milliamps and is not your problem.
.01 is 10milliamps.
1000 milliamps is 1 amp
Your meter is indicating all is ok, no excess battery drain.
Get a battery load tester for around $30 from HF or take your battery to O'reilly for a FREE battery test.
or you could just leave one terminal off the battery for 2 weeks and if it does the same you have a bad battery.
OR if the one year old machine is still under warranty, do the warranty thing.
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bertsmobile1
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You blokes are doing fine
16V shows the regulator in the rectifier/regulator is toast
Over voltage will cause the plates to gas and that blows paste off the plates which reduces the capacity to provide high currents
So the battery is probably toast as well
16V shows the regulator in the rectifier/regulator is toast
Over voltage will cause the plates to gas and that blows paste off the plates which reduces the capacity to provide high currents
So the battery is probably toast as well
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It is highly likely the Briggs engine has a dual Stator without a voltage regulator.
And is a test that many probably don't know of for Lead Acid batteries. Take a meter on Dc Volts, place one lead on either the positive or negative post. Now take the other lead touch various places on the battery plastic case. If you get any voltage reading the battery case has become conductive and it will drain a fully charge battery in short order.
And is a test that many probably don't know of for Lead Acid batteries. Take a meter on Dc Volts, place one lead on either the positive or negative post. Now take the other lead touch various places on the battery plastic case. If you get any voltage reading the battery case has become conductive and it will drain a fully charge battery in short order.
Hammermechanicman
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I have 3 of the internal resistance type testers. I bought 3 to compare them. They all three agree on all the measurements. They also agree with a $$$ snap on tester.