1951 8N Generator or Alternator

Jeff........the 8N came from the factory 6-volt positive (+) ground. The genny is on the LEFT side of the engine and have a 5-nipple dizzy on the right side of engine.

Many N-Tractors have been converted to 12-volts negative (-) ground with GM Delco 10SI ALTERNATOR. They are mounted the same place as the original generator ...except... alternators require different mounting brackets.

It should be intuitively obvious, a 12-volt conversion requires a 12-volt battery. (12-volt battery has 6-water fill'em-ups) ........Dell, a 12-volt advocate for the right reason, who knows 8-ways to convert to 12-volts and they all work the first time
 
A generator puts out DC voltage from the get go and looks a lot like your starter but is belt drive.
An alternator is a lot shorter and fatter then the generator is and looks nothing like the starter. Also the alternator puts out AC voltage which is then run threw diodes to chance it to DC voltage for charging the battery. Also if you try a magnet on a generator it will stick to it but it will not stick to an alternator since alternators are aluminum
 
Thank you for the responses. It is very helpful. My 8N is 6 volt and positive ground so sounds like it is a generator. 6 volt batteries aren't cheap either.

Jeff
 
Another question. With the tractor running can I use a voltmeter to test the generator? Should it be putting out 6 volts? Or how do I test it? The gauge on the tractor doesn't change.

Jeff
 
try polarizing the genny.

key off.

jump bat hot to armature.

then check to see if she is charging. IE.. look at meter, and check across batttery when running.

if no charge.... do a motor test.

shut mahcine off.. slip belt off jump bat hot to arm and then ground field.

genny SHOULD spin.. if it spins.. it SHOULD charge.

if it does.. then put belt back on and start up.. if no charge.. jumper field to ground. if it charges.. get a new reg.

if still no charge.. keep field grounded, and then jump arm to bat.. if charge occurs, get a nvew reg..
 
Jeff.......you ask iff'n voltmeter can test genny. Yes; with engine throttle at about 1/3, measure the volts across the battery terminals. Should read about 7.4-volts. ........Dell
 
6 volts and + ground say it is 6 volts no matter what . If you hook up an alternator + ground you will let the smoke out the moment you hook up the battery
 
(quoted from post at 08:54:34 04/23/13) Jeff........the 8N came from the factory 6-volt positive (+) ground. The genny is on the LEFT side of the engine and have a 5-nipple dizzy on the right side of engine.

Many N-Tractors have been converted to 12-volts negative (-) ground with GM Delco 10SI ALTERNATOR. They are mounted the same place as the original generator ...except... alternators require different mounting brackets.

It should be intuitively obvious, a 12-volt conversion requires a 12-volt battery. (12-volt battery has 6-water fill'em-ups) ........Dell, a 12-volt advocate for the right reason, who knows 8-ways to convert to 12-volts and they all work the first time
Dell, what else besides the battery must be replaced? Lights, no regulator, coil, condenser etc.? wiring harness? Thanks
 
(quoted from post at 11:19:49 04/21/22)
(quoted from post at 08:54:34 04/23/13) Jeff........the 8N came from the factory 6-volt positive (+) ground. The genny is on the LEFT side of the engine and have a 5-nipple dizzy on the right side of engine.

Many N-Tractors have been converted to 12-volts negative (-) ground with GM Delco 10SI ALTERNATOR. They are mounted the same place as the original generator ...except... alternators require different mounting brackets.

It should be intuitively obvious, a 12-volt conversion requires a 12-volt battery. (12-volt battery has 6-water fill'em-ups) ........Dell, a 12-volt advocate for the right reason, who knows 8-ways to convert to 12-volts and they all work the first time
Dell, what else besides the battery must be replaced? Lights, no regulator, coil, condenser etc.? wiring harness? Thanks
ell went to the big tractor place in the sky back in 2018. A good 'ol boy. Lights and either 12v coil or add resistor to 6v coil to control/set coil current. Condenser, etc. will be fine on either 6 or 12.
 
The generator is usually painted red and looks good. An alternator is that ugly aluminum colored thing hanging off the side of the tractor. :)
 

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