Negative Current through distributor

smither · Jun 19, 2017

1949 N9. No start. Converted to 12V about 8 years ago. Noted positive cable getting quite warm when trying to start. Took cable off. Traced from key switch, through resister and to top of coil. Removed coil, and am getting negative complete current when placing one multimeter lead on negative battery post and the other lead on coil set screw inside distributor. I'm no mechanic, but this seems troubling. Suggestions?

JMOR · Jun 19, 2017

(quoted from post at 18:37:04 06/19/17) 1949 N9. No start. Converted to 12V about 8 years ago. Noted positive cable getting quite warm when trying to start. Took cable off. Traced from key switch, through resister and to top of coil. Removed coil, and am getting negative complete current when placing one multimeter lead on negative battery post and the other lead on coil set screw inside distributor. I'm no mechanic, but this seems troubling. Suggestions?

re you REALLY measuring CURRENT, or voltage?? Converted to 12v, but to positive or negative ground?

9njunkie · Jun 19, 2017

If it's a 1949 it would be a 8N .... Not a "N9"

1948 started production of the 8N's

Does make a lil difference some parts are a lil
Diffrent

Dell (WA) · Jun 20, 2017

smither........congratulations on owning a NEW 4-speed N9 tractor. Yeah, using a 12-volt cable onna 6-volt starter motor will gitt HOT. As a general rule, 12-volt cables gitt HOT when trying to start a 6-volt starter motor. (burnie-burnie) To ears used to the quiet whirr of their BelchFire-V8, the rumpa-rumpa of 6-volt N-Tractor is disconcerting. I worked as a calibration engr fer the Boeing company, and accurate amp-meters are VERY expensive. Yer N-Ampmeter is plenty accurate. Voltmeters are very handy. Like a Simpson 260 which has a 10-amp reading. Yer N-starter motor will draw about 150-amps, so you donna wanna due that. Now we gotta figger out this positive (+) negative (-) ground stuff. There are some obscure advantages to positive (+) ground, mostly hazzta do with yer sparkies. Recommend AutoLite 437's gapped 0.025. Ennytime you have starting issues, change yer sparkies NO ARGUE!!! Don't throw yer FLOODED sparkies away, just clean'n'dry 'em one-atta-time in HOT running engine and sav'um fer the next time. (and there will be a NEXT time)........HTH, Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister

souNdguy · Jun 20, 2017

Post a pic of how you are measuring, showing the meter and its display.

Pos or neg ground setup? ( assuming neg )

Negative Current through distributor

smither

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JMOR

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9njunkie

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Dell (WA)

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souNdguy

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