[mac266]

Everyone,

I have a 1946 model B "long hood" (with the electrical starter). It seems the battery slowly drains when it's sitting. Eventually, over a period of months, it runs down so far it won't start (fortunately I have a 6 volt charger!). This happens even when I drive it around for a few minutes every few weeks.

What could be causing this and how do I fix it?

 

[bikerdave]

Have you load tested the battery?
Also, check the battery voltage before you start and again after it has run for a few minutes. Should be about six volts before starting and a little more than seven after it has run a while. If the voltage doesn't rise the generator or regulator is faulty. Oh, by the way clean the battery terminals and ground connections. Should do this at least once a year.

 

[Lovesthedrive]

easiest way to see if you have a electrical drain, with the ignition off. And all other switches off, remove one of the battery cables. Get a tester light and attach one side to the battery the other to the cable you removed. If you still have a drain the light will shine. To stop the drain if it is still there is to start removing fuses or unplugging wires to various things till the bulb no longer shines. Unplug generator, unplug power to the dash, un plug lights and so on.

More than likely once you pull the cable the drain will disappear. What usually causes batteries to drain is a faulty regulator. When your running the tractor the regulator allows current to go to the battery. It is supposed to stop the flow when the key goes to off. Older regulators tend to stick closed and allow the battery to charge the generator.

Otherwise if it is the battery, do as bikerdave has posted.

 

[missouri massey man]

easiest way to see if you have a electrical drain, with the ignition off. And all other switches off, remove one of the battery cables. Get a tester light and attach one side to the battery the other to the cable you removed. If you still have a drain the light will shine. To stop the drain if it is still there is to start removing fuses or unplugging wires to various things till the bulb no longer shines. Unplug generator, unplug power to the dash, un plug lights and so on.

More than likely once you pull the cable the drain will disappear. What usually causes batteries to drain is a faulty regulator. When your running the tractor the regulator allows current to go to the battery. It is supposed to stop the flow when the key goes to off. Older regulators tend to stick closed and allow the battery to charge the generator.

Otherwise if it is the battery, do as bikerdave has posted.

Good tip on the tester, never thought of that before. I'm going out right now and check an Oliver 77 thats been doing this.

 

[Lovesthedrive]

If you have a massive drain there will be a healthy spark when you remove the cable. But usually it is the generator regulator that has gone bad.

 

[alabamafrog]

Here is something I like to use;
http://www.amazon.com/Moroso-74103-Batt ... B000COO1P4