Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman Model 441777 voltage question, craftsman model, battery check

Question
Type 0283 E1

Last week, my battery was fine. Today Nothing!  I bought a new battery today and it worked fine.  But I was curious about the battery voltage with the mower running and checked it for several minutes. The longer it ran, the higher the voltage.  I killed the engine when the voltage passed 15VDC.  Is this normal? Is there a voltage regular on this model?  What happens to the battery if the voltage goes too high?
Thanks,
Dan

Answer
If the voltage is too high in can boil the battery.

Check out this website to determine your charging system:

http://www4.briggsandstratton.com/miscpdfs/RNT/alternator_id.pdf

Briggs offers three charging configerations available your engine.  Use the chart to determine if you have a regulator.
Let me know what you have.
Eric