Tractor headache

[kes]

I have a deutz - fahr agrofarm 420 4 wheel drive etc, about 8/9 years old. If I leave it unstarted for more than 3 weeks the battery loses almost all charge. Nothing is left switched on (that I am aware of (internal clock etc) and the only thing I can think is the alternator is 'unwell' but there is no red light on the display. Any ideas SDer's ?
Tried it tonight and it barely lit the cab light - battery is less then 10 months old.

 

[takbok]

Alternator belt tight and not slipping?

 

[Coddy]

Broken earth strap or wire?

 

[Apthorpe]

Is the battery "unwell", or possibly on its way out / damaged? You can't find any current draining with a multimeter?
Where i've had this on older vehicles in the past, putting in an isolator switch has cured the symptom although not the cause.

 

[Miki]

With the engine running (not idling) can you measure the voltage across the battery ?
It should be above 13.5V if the alternator is charging correctly.

 

[VSS]

I would replace the battery, for a start.

 

[countrryboy]

Couldbea short in system too as well as above problems.

Wot ever the problem always quite a good idea to put an isolator key in the system and get in the habit of removing that key with the tractor key

 

[Rob525]

With the tractor off disconnect the battery and put a multimeter between the terminal and connector to see if it is drawing. If so it will be a case of pulling fuses and replacing to see the area where the problem lies

 

[Woodsmoke]

Sounds to me like a dodgy cell in the battery . . .

 

[countrryboy]

I would replace the battery, for a start.

While that is normally a good idea, it might depend on the age of battery or if u have someone that can check the battery. The local battery/tyre place can test batteries and are honest enough to tell u if battery is fine

 

[NoIDeer]

As Abthorpe wrote - I had an Iveco 7.5 tonne truck with a battery isolation switch which helped avoid this problem?

 

[FISH BOY]

8/9 years not bad for a battery that sounds like it only gets frequently used.

 

[Dexter]

Try cleaning the battery terminals and connection with a bit of emery cloth.

 

[sikasako]

Fit an in line battery isolator.

Either that or troubleshoot why the battery is discharging and sort the fault.

 

[kes]

8/9 years not bad for a battery that sounds like it only gets frequently used.

Thats how old the tractor is the battery is 9 months old

 

[kes]

Chaps, thanks for the help.
I need a multi meter and some patience it seems and then - maybe - an isolator switch.

 

[Apthorpe]

I don't remember thinking the isolator key switch being more than a few quid. If patience is in short supply, you may find it an easier fix. Also in my case, it was an extra layer of security, because I suspect thieves wouldn't look for it - assuming it's somewhere out of the way. I have one under the seat of the Land Rover - although frankly someone stealing that wouldn't be a total disaster.

 

[kenbro]

Chaps, thanks for the help.
I need a multi meter and some patience it seems and then - maybe - an isolator switch.

My 2019 motorbike wouldn’t start if left for that length of time. Think the alarm system uses the available power.
Good idea to get a smart charger (Leave connected all the time) which will keep the battery at its optimum.
Regards,Ken.

 

[mealiejimmy]

I have a deutz - fahr agrofarm 420 4 wheel drive etc, about 8/9 years old. If I leave it unstarted for more than 3 weeks the battery loses almost all charge. Nothing is left switched on (that I am aware of (internal clock etc) and the only thing I can think is the alternator is 'unwell' but there is no red light on the display. Any ideas SDer's ?
Tried it tonight and it barely lit the cab light - battery is less then 10 months old.

Try removing the battery, charging it fully, and then not putting back into the tractor for a couple of weeks.
If it then doesn't have the power to start the tractor, the battery is faulty.
If it starts the tractor and then, after another couple of weeks without use is discharged, then there is something electrical in the tractor draining the battery even after it's switched off.
I'd suspect the alternator.

Cheers

Bruce

 

[reloader54]

8/9 years not bad for a battery that sounds like it only gets frequently used.

the tractor itself is 8-9 years old.
the battery is less than 10 months old.
and I guess you meant "infrequently"


alternators have diodes, and regulators which control the amount of charge they put out, usually 3 stages, on tickover with no load it needs to output very little, when a load is put on it it will go to the next level to compensate, under full load it will max out and keep everything running and still maintain but not fully charge the battery. if one of the diodes fails it will still charge but not as efficiently.
a decent auto electrics place should be able to test it, and repair, but sometimes its cheaper to trade the unit for a new one.