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18 Volts at headlights

14 years ago

I have a 10-year old Cub Cadet 3185, bought it a month ago with only 110 hours. Great machine. A day or so ago the alternator light would flash intermittently, sometimes the headlights would be reeeaaallly bright, then dim. Then they burned out.

There is 30 VAC into the voltage regulator; 18hp Briggs OHV. I measured 12.6V last night on the red lead, 14.4 at the battery and with a bulb unplugged, 18 something at the bulb base. Sounds like the voltage regulator is bad?

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Comments (6)

mownie
14 years ago
Do a bit more checking first, the regulator might have lost its ground. You really should post the model and type numbers of the engine (from the engine) AND the full model number of the tractor (from the chassis decal) so any interested members can view an IPL or a wiring schematic online. SOME machines actually feature 2 separate alternator windings, one to handle the DC load of recharging the battery, and a separate winding to run just the head lights. I believe yours will have only the single winding (or at least, only USING a single winding) because of how you describe the headlights as being "really bright and then dim". If your headlights were run by a separate alternator, you should have already been aware of the headlights being dim at idle, bright at high RPM, and off entirely when the engine is stopped. By the way, on machines that DO USE a separate alternator winding for just the headlight circuit, the current in that circuit is unrectified AC. Headlights are perfectly happy being fed AC. Batteries, on the other hand, have no use for AC.
ttx_rooney
Original Author
14 years ago
The ground and other wires are tight. The connector on the back of the ignition switch was dirty, but that was cleaned. I'm reasonably sure there is only one winding used and a single voltage regulator. The IPL covers several models, but this part is more or less common.

Model 350447
Type 1206E1 4952

Sure looks like the VR, just checking before spending $.

Thank you!
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ttx_rooney
Original Author
14 years ago
The ground and other wires are tight. The connector on the back of the ignition switch was dirty, but that was cleaned. I'm reasonably sure there is only one winding used and a single voltage regulator. The IPL covers several models, but this part is more or less common.

Model 350447
Type 1206E1 4952

Sure looks like the VR, just checking before spending $.

Thank you!
mownie
14 years ago
After you confirmed intact wiring and tight connections, I agree, the VR is surely defective. As you stated, it has single winding alternator. The presence of any AC voltage in the normally DC wiring can only be due to a defective VR/Rectifier. Please post your results here after replacing the VR. Thanks
ttx_rooney
Original Author
14 years ago
A new voltage regulator fixed the problem - many thanks. $55 with shipping for a Briggs OEM, and $14 for new head light bulbs.
baymee
14 years ago
It's late to respond, but a ground can also be lost by corrosion between the terminal and a good ground, even though it may be physically tight. I would have cleaned up the grounding area as a first test, but I'm glad that it's working now.

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