Thanks for the reply.
After charging the battery, which did charge right up, I did a test using my multimeter
Engine off 12.66v
Engine on 14.02v
EDIT
Positive and negative battery leads now disconnected for a few days to see if there is a leakage anywhere.
I have subsequently found (not practically seen) in a schematic of a motor, that the rectifier is under the plastic type shroud that covers the motor. Apparently it means removing that shroud and components to reveal the rectifier.
I was only looking for there as a point of reference, after watching some youtube and Kohler engine videos where it said a faulty voltage regulator can be at fault, and to also check these with a multimeter.
Another forum I asked in has suggested I go back to basics and see if the battery will hold its charge before tinkering further. They have advised me to leave the battery disconnected for a period, and come back and remeasure voltages with the meter,
I am a little confused about your 14v thoughts, as, on videos I have watched, they seem to infer that if under load (engine going) that if my readings go up from engine off mode, that the battery is indeed sending the right charging power, as long as the rectifier is working correctly. Have I got it all wrong somehow? Thanks
