Tim PloughNman Daley RIP
Well-known Member
Welcome Newbie. First order of business is to get the essential manuals if ya wanna be an 8N-Onwer. The original Ford electrical systems were 6-volt/positive ground. Next, get a free download/copy of WIRING PICTOGRAMS by JMOR ?available on the other Ford N-Series Tractor club web site. Email me if you don?t know how to find it as they won?t let me post the url link here. Many N?s have been converted to 12-volt systems, and nothing wrong with that, if done correctly, but many are not done correctly, and the proof is in daily posts like yours. How did you ?test? your battery? Specific gravity needs to be tested with a hydrometer, or better yet, take it to your trusty local starter/alternator shop where they can bench test it on their special test equipment under load. The battery must sustain a charge under load in order to have enough AMPS to crank the engine over. It is the AMPERES that are important, not VOLTS. You can take a 6-volt dry cell, or a handful of AA, AAA, or D-cell batteries to equal 6 or 12 volts but none have enough amps to crank your engine. It is also apparent that the PO did a p-p-poor wiring job so I suspect there is more wrong than just the obvious from what you have told us so far. Ammeter showing a negative discharge when engine runs could be wiring is backwards, or, if you flip light switch ON, and you have weak battery. The Ford 8N used the AUTO-LITE voltage regulator originally, a LOOP/INDUCTION style. The wire is feeding thru may be in the wrong direction ?reversing it will correct positive reading when in use. If the ammeter has the two screw terminals, simply switch the connections. There is no polarity to the ammeter. You do not need to put a 12-volt generator in, if you can find one that is. They use to make them, but are scarce now and not needed anyway. BEFORE you do this, as with any issue, initiate a root cause problem solving method to determine the problem(s). Start with a battery test at a good shop and decide if you want to keep it 6-volts or make it 12-volts. Either way, invest in a good brand of battery (EXIDE, DEKA, INTERSTATE) and avoid the bargain-house brands as they have poor life spans. 6-volts will require a good battery, good/rebuilt generator, good/correct voltage regulator, and correct wiring to all. If you are going to do a 12-conversion, then follow JMOR?s diagram for your model year. You will need the correct alternator with a 12-volt battery. Do all electrical work with the battery disconnected, and if there are lights in the equation, disconnect them for now. Once the system is proven to be correct, you can add lights later. If you decide to go with a 12-volt conversion, I will buy your original generator, original ammeter, and original voltage regulator as well if you do.
ESSENTIAL MANUALS FOR 8N OWNERS:
ORIGINAL 8N VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND INDUCTION ?LOOP? STYLE AMMETER:
Tim PloughNman Daley(MI)
ESSENTIAL MANUALS FOR 8N OWNERS:
Tim PloughNman Daley(MI)
