Cub Cadet Z-Force S Series - Manual (Page 93)

Electrical System
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Introduction
This chapter is divided into four sections:
• Section 1: About this chapter and precautions
• Section 2: Components
• This section will describe the location and operation of the electrical components on the mower. Where
appropriate, some disassembly or component removal instructions will be included.
• Section 3: Diagnostic Techniques
• This section will cover basic tools, techniques, and methodology for diagnosing electrical issues on the
mower. A lot of the information in this section can be applied to other equipment.
• Section 4: Schematics
Before disconnecting any electrical component, take precautions to prevent the component or
the wires attached to it from shorting out. The most effective means of doing this is to disconnect
the battery ground cable from the negative battery terminal. Unless performing tests that require
the electrical system to be in operation, disconnect the negative cable from the battery before
doing any work to the electrical system of the mower.
Components
The Z-Force-S has the same Cub Cadet Rev-Tek system used on the 1000 series tractors.
RMC Module
The RMC module contains electronic logic circuits. When diagnosing anything that is connected to the RMC
module, a high impedance test light or a high impedance digital multi-meter (DMM) must be used. The amperage
draw of a standard incandescent test light may over-burden some internal electronic circuits, burning out the module.
NOTE: These tools are not outrageously expensive or exotic. High impedance test lights (Thexton model 125
is typical) can be purchased locally from stores like NAPA for under $30.00. Appropriate multi meters can be
purchased for under $100.00, and are an invaluable tool for any competent technician.
• It is typical when industries shift from electromechanical to electronic controls that diagnosis shifts from
tracing through a number of independent circuits to checking the in-puts to and out-puts from a central
processor. This is similar to, but much less complex than the transition that the auto industry made with
the conversion to fuel injection in the 1980s.
NOTE: The starter safety circuit has no connection to the RMC module.
• It is still important to be familiar with the workings of the individual components of the electrical system, but
some of them can now be checked from a central point on the mower. This makes life easier on the tech-
nician, frequently making it unnecessary to connect to difficult to reach switches in the preliminary stages
of diagnosis.
• The function of individual safety switches can be seen as providing information “inputs” to the RMC mod-
ule.
• The next part of this section gives a detailed description of the electrical components on this mower, their
function in the system, and their physical location on the mower. Armed with this information and the
proper tools, a technician should be able to efficiently diagnose most electrical problems.
CHAPTER 7: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
! CAUTION ! CAUTION