350B Voltage/Batteries

Tinker · Post by **Tinker** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:45 pm

This 350B had sat for years - possibly 10 or more, and was found with no batteries in the battery box.

I'd gone through a pre-flight prep, then with a very large and brand new 12v tractor battery went to fire it. No success, it looked like a bad solenoid.
Replaced the solenoid and got the same result as before.
Called local heavy equipment tech, who suggested the machine was 24v
Returned to dozer with two batteries and hit it with 24v, instant success.

Today I was looking through an operator's manual, it shows 12v - and in extreme cold two 12v batteries in paralell.

24v seems to be the right path here, and I'm looking to source a pair of batteries for the battery box. Of course the '73 vintage battery ID doesn't seem to mesh with modern codes. I think that the guys at Batteries Plus might have found a cross-reference.
What have been your experiences?
Both on 24v system and also proper sized batteries to fit the battery box..?

Thanks!

cdunn · Post by **cdunn** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:15 pm

From the factory it is a 12v system, "not" 24V.

Post by **Lavoy** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:18 pm

Definitely 12V, the 24 volts is masking an underlying problem. I would pull the starter and have it checked.
Lavoy

Tigerhaze · Post by **Tigerhaze** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:01 am

Tinker wrote: I'm looking to source a pair of batteries for the battery box. Of course the '73 vintage battery ID doesn't seem to mesh with modern codes. I think that the guys at Batteries Plus might have found a cross-reference.
What have been your experiences?
Both on 24v system and also proper sized batteries to fit the battery box..?
Thanks!

As others said, it should have been 12V so sounds like someone has rewired it. As for battery size, I think the typical battery size for this size of crawler is a Group 31 but others can confirm. I know my 2010 (forerunner to the 450) is a Group 31.

Also I am not sure if a 350B was originally positive or negative ground, but another consideration since the thing has apparently been rewired.

Hutch350B · Post by **Hutch350B** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 2:29 pm

My 350B is definately a 12v system...and has large warning stickers in the battery box that it is a negative ground system. I cant see needing 24v because the old 12v battery in mine spins it very quick.

LeonardL · Post by **LeonardL** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:38 pm

Hutch is right that they are Negative ground and definitely 12 volts. An issue that comes up quite often with the 350s and the older 450s is the ground itself from the battery to the machine. Most 350s are grounded to the battery box and they can loose their ground easily. Usually at the bolt where the ground strap is fastened to the battery box. Another issue is if the battery box is loose like so many of them are, then debris and rust will build up around where they are bolted to the machine. Resulting in a poor or no ground situation. Especially with a machine that has sat for a while unprotected from the elements. I would first check your ground before pulling the starter, but from it sitting as long as you say it has, I also agree that maybe the starter should be pulled and checked out. At least cleaned up. I would put a temporary ground from the battery to the starter and see what it does. Then you can go from there.

Willyr · Post by **Willyr** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:51 pm

Have that starter checked. A bench test of one of those starters, it will want to jump off the bench. Sounds like same brushes are not working.

kedorland · Post by **kedorland** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:25 pm

Willyr wrote:Have that starter checked. A bench test of one of those starters, it will want to jump off the bench. Sounds like same brushes are not working.

I agree.

Put 12 VDC to the starter and give the starter a good whack with a hammer. May be suprised.

Kevin from Iowa.

LeonardL · Post by **LeonardL** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:30 am

Yeah that'll fix it!

jtrichard · Post by **jtrichard** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:57 am

YES LEONARD thats always the best fix and if the first one dont do it get a bigger hammer

digitup2 · Post by **digitup2** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 1:33 pm

Just use a sledge to begin with and scare the old Deere into working that is about as crude as two battery's in series on the old crawler!!.Digitup.

Post by **Lavoy** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:37 pm

Hey, anything smaller than a sledge is just for carburetor adjustment I thought!?!?!?

Lavoy

kedorland · Post by **kedorland** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 3:53 pm

Lavoy wrote:Hey, anything smaller than a sledge is just for carburetor adjustment I thought!?!?!?
Lavoy

Tough crowd today..

Kevin

MarkW · Post by **MarkW** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:22 am

Have you checked the voltage rating on the alternator? As mentioned by pretty much everyone else here, sounds like something is wrong either a sickly starter or bad connections but the alternator is easy enough to look at. The tech you talked to should have suggested you do that first as it's about the easiest way I know to verify voltage.

Tinker · Post by **Tinker** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:35 am

Leonard thanks for the thoughtful advice on connections and cables.
I may just make up a new set of heavy gauge full-run battery cables, with ground cable landing directly on the engine.

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350B Voltage/Batteries

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