Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Briggs And Stratton engine dies when running, briggs and stratton, amp alternator

Question
I have a riding mower with a 12.5 hp b/s engine (model 289707-0154-01). The battery holds a charge but engine the drains the battery when running. I get about 2 time around the yard and the engine sputters and dies. There is barely enough juice to start the mower again. I re-charge the battery and it starts right up. Any idea as what might be causing this? I'm thinking it could be the magneto armature or the alternator or both?

Thank You
Steve

Answer
Hi Steve


sounds like you have either a stator   fault or a  regulator /rectifier fault

can you tell me how many  leads are comming out of stator and what color  - a single black lead with green connector  ?  or 2 black  leads with yellow connector-?

does the regulator have 1 yellow wire & with green connector and 1 red lead out

or does it have 2 yellow leads in  and 1 red lead out  with red connector

and is you machine a ohv  single

if single black wire with green con ,its a 9 amp d/c regulated system  a/c output should be 40 volts a/c minimum  from black  to earth

if its a 2 black wire with yellow con its a 10 amp alternator , a/c output should be minimum of 20 volts a/c ( connector meter leads accross both pins in connector block )

if the voltage readings are good from stator windings then most likly faulty regulator
or wiring

let me know what color wires are  from stator and how many  and color of connectors
and qty of wires  in and out of regulators   this helps me id  b/s charging types  

general rule of thumb  full charge batt  13.5 volt,  good charging system   should be producing approx 2 volts more than battery voltage  , that is  between 14.0 - 15.0 volt
when running @rev

cheers paul

hope it helps