New Argo magnum member! problem with charging system

[danbattista]

Ok, I'm going to check the fuses and the fuse box first. I want to test the voltage at the rectifier and stator coils but I can't see them. Here is a picture of my Argo engine, please just point out where the rectifier and stator coils are because I'm lost on to where they are, once I know that, I can get down to what's wrong and follow what you guys are saying. Thank You!

[plott hound]

i have a good used rectifier you can try to eliminate that problem.the stator coil is behind the flywheel.

[newargoowner]

I just fixed my charging system... It ended up to be the 20A inline fuse from the output of the rectifier to the key switch/battery. From your pic. the rectifier should be under the air cleaner (top/left corner) just left of the "18" and above "Important". It is 3"x1" rectangle with three wires connected to it. The middle wire should be the output wire connected to the key switch/battery. The other two wires should goto the stator(inside the engine). If there is a open(break) in the output connection of rectifier it will not put out a charge(voltage).

[danbattista]

So I checked all my fuses and they are good.
Ok, I believe this is my rectifier . Now the original one that is painted red and attached to the engine has all the wires cut from it. The silver one I'm holding has a ground, wires 3 AND 4 going under the throttle body into the back of the engine. There is a black connection which has a red wire NUMBER 5 going into the engine (you can see it in the picture) and a yellow and black 1 AND 2 wire going to the regulator by the battery.
So, now I guess I should test the connection that has wire 3 AND 4 for 23 volts AC and the wires 1 AND 2 for 13-14 volts...... right??
Thanks for helping me figure this out!

[garbie]

It looks like 3 and 4 are the wires from the stator, if they are they should be 23 AC volts. Do they take off under the shroud headed to the flywheel? It looks like 1 or 2 is the output of the regulator. Hard to see in picture which one actually runs through the connector to the rectifier. The other if i had to guess is your ignition wire. I would check the wire coming out of the rectifier and see if there is an inline fuse on it some where. Looking at wiring diagram it looks like yellow wire should be your rectifier output. The diagram also does not show a fuse between the rectifier and solenoid, but does not mean one wasn't added.

[G__]

Ok,sorry but I was busy and didn´t check back but now...
3 and 4 are the wires that go to your stator coil.The yellow (1?) is the rectifier output and it mounts on the fuse box (very left fuse),so that´s the fuse to check.
The black wire has nothing to do with the charging system but with the ignition:it powers your ignition coil and module,since it doesn´t have points anymore.
in your wiring diagram,you can see the stator coil and rectifier in the "engine" box,bottom left of the spark plugs (the circle and to it´s left the square box).
What concerns me:the rectifier is not in it´s right spot,it needs to be placed where the old one is or otherwise it will overheat,since the cooling fan cools it from underneath (that´s what the fins are for).Second:I see a lot of corrosion on your wiring,this will effect the operation of the rectifier.It even looks like the contacts on the rectifier are slightly burnt (even though I can´t see it for sure) what would mean,that corrosion on the contacts have created resistance what made them get hot.

[danbattista]

Thanks for the replies, now I understand a little more what I'm looking at now. I have tested the wires but I don't seem to be getting the right numbers at all, going to try with a new voltmeter tomorrow. G that explanation helped, yes I agree the wires are corroded and when I was looking at it today I was moving the rectifier around and one of the wires was sparking off the engine, bad. I'm not sure what I'm going to do right now, but I know I got to clean up that jerry rig a bit and look at replacing that rectifier. When I get to the next step I will post what happens. Any more advice let me know!

[danbattista]

Well I got to testing the outputs today. From the coil I am getting 23volts when I'm revving the Argo so, that's good news. But testing the output of the rectifier I was not getting anything, I took it out and tested it again and still nothing. So I believe that's my problem, so now I want to buy a new one but I want to buy one that actually fits in the right spot, but to be able to get it off, I have to pull off the throttle body and manifold. Am I going to have to replace any gaskets on the manifold? Any tips on doing this? Or should I just buy a new rectifier and just place it where the one I have now is?

Any suggestions would be great before I start doing this.
Thanks!

[mike bar]

Don't worry about changing the old one , just get the part number off that one you are hooked up to and go ebay. They are a cheap item to buy. I have one on mine (1990 Magnum)the same as you're using and have it bolted to the manifold almost where yours is positioned.No problems so far.I have never had to boost my argo yet

[G__]

I had to change my rectifier and I was able to unscrew the bolts,holding it.Even though it wasn´t as easy as pie,I got them out and back in without removing the manifold....just give it a try.The bolts in my case were just as long that you could take them out WITH the recifier and back in the very same way.
I don´t know about letting the rectifier "hanging" out there,I just think that 15 amps are quite an amount of current and that there must be a reason for it´s position.
If you figure,that you need to pull of the manifold,I would try not to take of the carb and just go with replacing the manifold gaskets.
Did you check for resistance in your wiring/ignition switch?Make sure that you don´t have any resistance in either one,or your rectifier won´t work.

[danbattista]

I did not check the resistance in the wiring/ignition switch, but I took the rectifier out and tested on another device and it was not working at all. I am going to clean up the wires as well. The problem I am having now is getting this rectifier, the Argo supply place near me does not even know what I'm talking about, and they want my engine number, but the only number I can find are my vin and serial. Another place wants some other number that starts with a M that I don't see.

I live by Barrie Ontario, anyone know where I can pick up a rectifier without a headache? I have my model number and vin and engine make. I can't find any numbers at all written on the engine. My old rectifier has no numbers on it either.

[plott hound]

get your spec and model numbers off the engine then go to richview lawn equiptment.they are in barrie at the southend near minets point.i think this is the part number for your part.

25 755 03-S

[danbattista]

Ya I am looking everywere for the numbers on my engine, the problem the numbers and such on the silver sticker by my fule pump is all warn off, the sticker is there but its just blank. But I called the place back and gave them that number plott hound and they think thats it, they are going to call me back tomorrow. If not my next option is Richview, thanks!

[plott hound]

richview is real good to deal with and will be cheaper then the argo dealer.

[danbattista]

Thanks plott hound, I actually was able to order it from a place called Bradford Rental for $80, I should have it installed tomorrow. I'll post to update the thread and hopefully this will be my resolution.