A little back story first...
I could kick myself, but I forgot to check the oil on our LT155 with a 3 amp charging system, and a I threw a rod busting the case. My father took it into his preferred repair shop to try to save me from having to repair it (as I already have a long queue of fix-it projects), rather than taking it to the local JD repair shop like requested. A month, and $500 later (quoted 1 week, and $350), it had a used Kohler 15hp motor with a 15 amp stator that would start, but would not charge the battery correctly. It seems these guys had no idea how to rewire it to make it work properly. They hacked some of the wires off of the safety switches, and wired them directly to the battery to make it run, but it still wouldn't charge the battery.
I got tired of the BS excuses from the repair shop, and had him bring it back to the house so I could get it running right. I worked as an electrician, so I am pretty capable when it comes to wiring, reading schematics, and chasing circuits. Lawnmowers are not my area of expertise, but I'm very mechanically inclined, so I decided to take on the challenge. I managed to get my hands on a printed copy of the 150 page service manual, and some wiring diagrams. I gave myself a 1 week crash course on the 15 hp kohler, then cut all the remaining wires loose, and started rewiring the tractor to match the 15amp stator 3 position key switch wiring diagram... It seems I missed something last night though.
When I fired the motor up today, it started up just fine, and I ran it through its paces. Everything seems to be working right except one of the safety switches, and the charging circuit (which I think is a bad voltage regulator, as I am getting 45Vac from AC to AC with my DMM, but I only get 1Vdc from the B+ lead). I will be getting a new VR tomorrow or monday depending on whether the parts shop is open tomorrow.
I can start the mower without being on it. This is normal I believe.
I can sit on it, disengage the brake, and turn the PTO on to cut, and it will shut down if I get off the seat.
If I do the same with the brake engaged, the PTO will not cut out, and the blades keep spinning. I know this can't be right... To my understanding, and recollection of the mower prior to anyone working on it, the mower should shut down whenever one gets off of the mower with the PTO engaged.
I believe I made a mistake in the wiring, but I've already bundled it all, and made it look pretty. I'd rather not cut everything loose again, and chase all the wires down if I don't have to, but I am not well versed in how the switches and relays should work together.
I'm at a standstill till I get a new VR anyways, so I thought I might try picking your brains, and taking a break from chasing wires for a night.
Based off the information I've provided, can anyone help me figure out where I made a mistake? If not, I'll just cut it back loose and start over again fresh.
I could kick myself, but I forgot to check the oil on our LT155 with a 3 amp charging system, and a I threw a rod busting the case. My father took it into his preferred repair shop to try to save me from having to repair it (as I already have a long queue of fix-it projects), rather than taking it to the local JD repair shop like requested. A month, and $500 later (quoted 1 week, and $350), it had a used Kohler 15hp motor with a 15 amp stator that would start, but would not charge the battery correctly. It seems these guys had no idea how to rewire it to make it work properly. They hacked some of the wires off of the safety switches, and wired them directly to the battery to make it run, but it still wouldn't charge the battery.
I got tired of the BS excuses from the repair shop, and had him bring it back to the house so I could get it running right. I worked as an electrician, so I am pretty capable when it comes to wiring, reading schematics, and chasing circuits. Lawnmowers are not my area of expertise, but I'm very mechanically inclined, so I decided to take on the challenge. I managed to get my hands on a printed copy of the 150 page service manual, and some wiring diagrams. I gave myself a 1 week crash course on the 15 hp kohler, then cut all the remaining wires loose, and started rewiring the tractor to match the 15amp stator 3 position key switch wiring diagram... It seems I missed something last night though.
When I fired the motor up today, it started up just fine, and I ran it through its paces. Everything seems to be working right except one of the safety switches, and the charging circuit (which I think is a bad voltage regulator, as I am getting 45Vac from AC to AC with my DMM, but I only get 1Vdc from the B+ lead). I will be getting a new VR tomorrow or monday depending on whether the parts shop is open tomorrow.
I can start the mower without being on it. This is normal I believe.
I can sit on it, disengage the brake, and turn the PTO on to cut, and it will shut down if I get off the seat.
If I do the same with the brake engaged, the PTO will not cut out, and the blades keep spinning. I know this can't be right... To my understanding, and recollection of the mower prior to anyone working on it, the mower should shut down whenever one gets off of the mower with the PTO engaged.
I believe I made a mistake in the wiring, but I've already bundled it all, and made it look pretty. I'd rather not cut everything loose again, and chase all the wires down if I don't have to, but I am not well versed in how the switches and relays should work together.
I'm at a standstill till I get a new VR anyways, so I thought I might try picking your brains, and taking a break from chasing wires for a night.
Based off the information I've provided, can anyone help me figure out where I made a mistake? If not, I'll just cut it back loose and start over again fresh.