by bluemower » Sat Jul 14, 2018 10:18 pm
Assuming the current you observed is positive (not discharging), the numbers sound correct. These numbers however, only indicate what is going in or out of the battery. They do not necessarily indicate what the voltage regulator is putting out. Some of the amperage may be going somewhere else - like the blade clutch. Try this check.
Turn off the engine. Leave the shunt and your meter attached to the battery. Make sure the meter leads are attached to indicate the correct direction of the current. Disconnect the blade clutch, voltage regulator, head lights, anti after fire solenoid, and anything that draws currents. Observe the meter - should be zero. Now plug each item in while observing the meter. See if anything changes the meter reading. You may need to select the micro setting to check the voltage regulator.
Try the same test with the engine off and the key turned to the on position. See what the draw is for each item.
The suggestion may give some clue to help find the problem. From your description, the battery is charging when the engine is running. This leaves me to think the battery is draining when the unit is parked. Sometimes a battery may have an internal short that needs 5 - 7 days to drain the battery. If the voltage regulator is always connected to a voltage source, the regulator may draw a small amount of current even when everything is turned off.
if you wish to see what the voltage regulator delivers, acquire a clamp meter with DC ability. Clamp over the red lead on the voltage regulator. Run the engine at full power when checking.