Max IV Amp Gage Help

[Moldman]

I have a 2001 Max IV with a 20hp Kohler Command engine. Amp gage on dash isn't moving either way anymore when motor is running and seems like the battery isn't staying charged, after sitting a week or so it needs to be placed on a charger. Any suggestions on where to start. Thanks for all your help.

[wfo]

Should have a fuse

[Moldman]

didn't find fuse but battery had a May 2010 date on it. I am new owner of the Max IV. Purchased new battery but haven't installed yet. Would the old battery cause the amp gage not to show discharging or charging?

[Toys4Me]

Battery shouldn't have any effect except always showing high on the charge side I think. Does the machine still have the original wiring harness in it?

[racerone3]

didn't find fuse but battery had a May 2010 date on it. I am new owner of the Max IV. Purchased new battery but haven't installed yet. Would the old battery cause the amp gage not to show discharging or charging?

Probably not, but a 2010 battery is likely toast. put it in and see if the gauge works. if not check battery voltage before, while, and after starting the engine. it should drop while cranking, then increase for a few minutes after starting the engine eventually leveling off around 14 volts. An amp gauge measures the charge current going through it. when they go bad sometimes they break the connection so you don't get charge going to the battery, sometimes they melt down in such a way that they basically become a wire and continue to conduct without the gauge working. if you aren't showing a charge after you replace the battery, you can take one wire off the amp gauge and put it on the other post (just connecting the 2 wires directly together) and repeat the cranking test.

[Moldman]

Where should the two wires from the amp gauge be hooked up to?

[Toys4Me]

Here is a link to the wiring diagram from the manuals section.

http://www.6x6world.com/images/recreatives-industries/WH-Max-IV-Kohler-11998-12791.pdf

Hope this helps. I've used these when rewiring Max's.

[Moldman]

Thanks to all. I installed new battery and used a 6v/12v battery load tester 100amp. Here is what I have: Nothing on-12.5 volts, engine running-12.5 volts, engine running fast-14.2 volts with needle in ok charging system, with load switch on-running-11.2 volts, running fast-11.2 volts. Does this seem to by right? Thanks again for all your help. And by the way, amp gauge still isn't working. Found 2 and 30 amp fuses on side firewall by ignition switch area and both are o.k.

[Toys4Me]

Are you saying with 100amp load its not going above 11.2V? Most engines dont have a charging system over 20 amps. You should see the needle go in the + at above idle speeds and the needle should drop if you turn on the lights or an accessory.