455 GT Overcharges Battery

Thanks to Kenny and TapaTalk for the alert. Watching the Cards take on Texas. GO Cards!! This DTAC solution addresses a change in wire colors and connector style. I would not throw a regulator on this machine, just yet. Check out your battery and connections. Clean connections at both ends of battery cables. Check electrolyte level. Top off, if necessary. Load test battery and check specific gravity or have it checked. If all of this checks out, then you might want to go with a regulator.

If the batteries are not showing signs of boiling over It could be because the engine was just started the regulator puts out more voltage for a time to replace the energy used. Did you check after the engine warms up?

Cheap and rough handled multimeters readings could be off too.


Three different charging circuits showing the same over voltages is odd if there is something wrong .

Thanks Kevin,

I bought my first 455 for $671. It had sat outside for a couple years. I had to clean EVERY electrical connection on the tractor. SO, yes I cleaned the battery cables at both ends. The tractor had a new battery and was load tested. I checked my second 455 after I bought it and discovered the same problem.

I own a 322 and 332 GT with Yanmar engines and the same alternator as the 455's. These models had a problem with the batteries being overcharged. I isolated the problem to be that there was a voltage drop on the sensing lead (Green Wire) to the VR. I added a relay to connect the VR sensing lead directly to the battery and the problem was eliminated. Later I discovered that this was also John Deeres's solution.

I originally thought that the 455's problem was the sensing lead. After testing the charging circuit, I discovered that was not the problem. The 322 and 332 would boil the battery, but the 455's do not seem to be as bad. I have just ran them and they seem to be O.K. Looks like a winter project to attempt to resolve the issue.

GotDeeres

Tackit,

The strange thing is the voltage is lower when the tractor is started and gradually INCREASES. Normally the voltage is higher when the tractor starts to recharge the battery and then reduces as the battery is charged.

I have a Tektronix TEKDMM155 which is a very good meter, but I also tried my Fluke. Never assume anything when trouble shooting. It is strange that two tractors and three voltage regulators have the same result?? I will figure this out!! :dunno: It is just a matter of time and money. Since I am retired, I have plenty time, but little money.


GotDeeres

gotdeeres said:

Tackit,

The strange thing is the voltage is lower when the tractor is started and gradually INCREASES. Normally the voltage is higher when the tractor starts to recharge the battery and then reduces as the battery is charged.

I have a Tektronix TEKDMM155 which is a very good meter, but I also tried my Fluke. Never assume anything when trouble shooting. It is strange that two tractors and three voltage regulators have the same result?? I will figure this out!! :dunno: It is just a matter of time and money. Since I am retired, I have plenty time, but little money.


GotDeeres

Click to expand...

Electrical problems can be tricky to troubleshoot, I wish you luck GotDeeres.

You would think the batteries would boil over with steady ever increasing pressure going into them.

If I were you I would call the local John Deere dealer and describe the problem you are having.... maybe a mechanic or even a parts counter man would be good enough to explain what's going on and what needs to be done to fix the problem, if it's a common problem they should have an answer.. Worth a try.:good2:

I added the relay kit to my 455's and it reduced the charging voltage about 1.2 volts. I have ordered two voltmeter gauges which I will be adding to both tractors. In the future, I will be able to continually monitor the charging voltage. Yes, I will document this installation with pictures in the near future.

GotDeeres