Cub Cadet 149 Battery and Starter/Generator Wire Upgrade!

My Cub Cadet 149 has always been slow to crank over, and since I had the fenders off anyhow from splitting the tractor for another repair, I decided to upgrade the battery cables while I was at it. The jury is still out on whether or not this was worth the effort... and quite an effort it was.
Video Links:
Cub Cadet 149 Playlist ► • TBL 28 - Cub Cadet 149...
Stuff Links (Affiliated, I earn a small commission from these links):
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[@tarstarkusz]

26:23 Instead of doing that, run a test light between the ground wire and the ground terminal on the battery. If the test light lights, there is current draw. The bulb will act as a fuse. If there was a short circuit, it would just blow the bulb.

[@TheBrokenLife]

Well... I mean... I also had a meter sitting there too. Sparks are more fun. 😁

[@tarstarkusz]

@@TheBrokenLife The reason I said a light is that the meter is fused at like 10 amps or something, where a couple of hundred milliamps would kill the bulb.

[@TheBrokenLife]

@@tarstarkusz You're not wrong. The truth of the matter is I just flat out didn't think about it and I also didn't really expect a problem. Touch the cable quick, no sparks, probably no problems. That is a habit I got into after doing it wrong on a 2 battery diesel vehicle before I could even drive. BIG sparks when you just cram the cable on the wrong terminal... oops... better to take a baby step first.
FWIW, I would have probably conducted a draw test on the voltage scale where I would be good up to, I think, 600V. If I wanted to see how much of a draw, my meter actually has high and low fuses for the A and mA scales. The amperage mode tops out at 20A and the mA mode is 200mA. For being a 20 year old Craftsman branded meter, it's surprisingly well featured.

[@tarstarkusz]

@@TheBrokenLife It's all good, I was just trying to be helpful.

[@TheBrokenLife]

@@tarstarkusz Then tell me why the thing doesn't crank over like an F1 car! 😆
...I think I need a crew-served pneumatic starter. 🤔

[@paulg444]

He is always one step ahead of me !.. I have thought long and hard about the wiring on my 169 (same tractor as his 149) and I have decided that I will be relocating the starter solenoid to the rear near the battery. I can do this because I have raised my seat cover hatch by 2 inches (that gave me more room under the seat and it also raised my seat to a more comfortable position). The other option is to move the battery forward and get rid of the long run, but there is just no room under the hood unless I move the gas tank to the rear. Im not ready for that mod! By the way, the 4 gauge is a significant increase over the 6 gauge. The 2 gauge is really overkill.

[@TheBrokenLife]

I'm not sure if I understand the advantage of moving the starter solenoid to the rear? In either location you still have to run heavy gauge wire up to the front of the tractor, but in the rearward position you have to extend the wires from the key switch and ammeter to reach it.
FWIW, earlier model Cubs had the gas tank _and_ battery under the hood. The would reduce the wire runs for sure.
There's no question that 2awg was too much, but I didn't want to give myself any excuses for poor starting performance. It has _all_ of the cable now.

[@paulg444]

@@TheBrokenLife moving the starter solenoid under the seat makes it much easier to access and replace. I always dread having to remove the gas tank to get behind the dashboard. My idea is to install a connection and fuse box so that all circuits are easily tested from water tight connection box. It's just an idea at this point.

[@TheBrokenLife]

@@paulg444 The gas tank tower on mine only takes about 5 minutes to remove. Maybe I'm living right or the pieces I think it's missing make it easier?
It seems about every spring that I end up taking it off for some reason or another. Typically to grease the steering box.

[@fiveacrehaven]

I have a 1450 that cranks over real hard especially during the cold months. And I have thought about doing this same thing. Have you noticed much of a difference? And did that temporary ground off the starter help?

[@TheBrokenLife]

I haven't noticed any difference at all. I'm down to thinking it's the relay, the starter, or "just the way it is".
FWIW, your 1450 uses a completely different starter setup and it generally works a whole lot better. You may want to inspect your fly wheel to see if the teeth are filled with crud.

[@fiveacrehaven]

@@TheBrokenLife thanks for the reply! I will check the fly wheel out. That is something I never thought about. It makes sense considering I have my issue no matter what the temps outside are.

[@TheBrokenLife]

@@fiveacrehaven Good luck with it!