Battery Recharge ?

Caryc · Sep 10, 2014

On an 8N 12 volt system, how long does it take the alternator to bring the battery back to a full charge after a normal start?

Or say about 6 seconds of cranking.

Came back to add this. Maybe I shouldn't have said "return to full charge" since that would depend on the condition of the battery in the first place.

So put it this way, if I crank for 6 seconds to start it, how long does it take the alternator to replace that six seconds of cranking power that I used?

Jimmyjack · Sep 10, 2014

I think it depends on the condition of your battery
and how much it is discharged. I watch the ammeter
and it usually takes maybe five minutes before it
quits charging. Probably also depends on the rpms of
your tractor after starting. If you have a fairly
new battery and only start the engine, it may
recharge in minutes.

DGinVT · Sep 10, 2014

After starting my 6 volt 8N the ammeter shows charge for about a minute or so then settles back down to zero. If I have it at idle the ammeter drops to a small discharge like -5amps. When I slowly increase the RPM it goes back to zero and then will show a slight charge as the speed increases and then it drops back to zero showing that the battery is charged.

souNdguy · Sep 10, 2014

As the others said, observe ammeter to see when charge tapers off.

Hobo,NC · Sep 10, 2014

If you have a 12V system install a voltmeter on it... Dump that useless amp meter... If you need a amp meter tote it around in yer pocket till you think you need it...

Caryc · Sep 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 18:38:44 09/10/14)
If you have a 12V system install a voltmeter on it... Dump that useless amp meter... If you need a amp meter tote it around in yer pocket till you think you need it...

That's a very good idea since the needle on that amp meter doesn't really move much at all. Just barely on the minus side to just barely on the plus side.

So a volt meter will hook up same as the amp meter? Are there different ranges or volt meters? What range should I get?

Hmmm...I see a bunch on Amazon and they all range from 8 to 18 volts so I guess that's the standard?

4play · Sep 11, 2014

I agree with the volt meter but being a 12v system really has nothing to do with it. It you like or want either gauge the voltage capacity really doesnt matter. For that matter someone could use both I guess.

NNP · Sep 11, 2014

12v battery, a alternator designed for a car, a quick-starting tractor....
probably recharged by the time you back out of the shed.

another voltmeter fan
dirt cheap on ebay, about 10 bucks with free shipping.
most new ones have a light too, which you can wire with your headlights.
I usually just wire the light to the same switched power that I grab to power the voltmeter.
Gives me a key-on indicator light.

Never liked the idea of an ammeter on an old tractor.
all the electrical power (amps) thru a cheap little gauge with exposed posts,
with tiny little rubber insulators to keep the posts isolated from the bracket,
.......without fuses or fusible links......... no thanks.

Big battery, healthy alt/gen, heavy wire feeding the ammeter,
no fuses.......I recognize this.....it's a welder....without an off switch...

souNdguy · Sep 11, 2014

I guess you do not realize a small rubber or plastic washer insulates the alt charge stud from its case, and that wire is bat hot all the time. Is that the welder you were referring too?

How about this, all the zip single insulation lamp and power cords in your house.. That insulation is what? 2mm thick maybee? Average household plug is on a 15a branch, that's a capability of 1800w.

In 12v terms, 1800w would be 150 amps, you know, kinda like a starter motor!

That thin lamp cord insulation I usually 600v rated. Even the thin mica and phenolic insulators in many common 12v toggle switches are rated in the 100-250v range.

Those thin insulation grommets on your ammeter are no less capable than any of the rest of the single insulated wire in the rest of the tractor electrical system.

Want a fuse or similar? Get a 50a cb and install aft of your alt if it is a 35-50 a job, or a 25a cb for a window motor for a Genny, easy install.

souNdguy · Sep 11, 2014

Ps, yet spark plug wires are gonna average 3 to 3.5 mm insulation and they are holding back how many thousand volts?

Hobo,NC · Sep 11, 2014

(quoted from post at 06:04:01 09/11/14)

(quoted from post at 18:38:44 09/10/14)
If you have a 12V system install a voltmeter on it... Dump that useless amp meter... If you need a amp meter tote it around in yer pocket till you think you need it...

Click to expand...

That's a very good idea since the needle on that amp meter doesn't really move much at all. Just barely on the minus side to just barely on the plus side.

So a volt meter will hook up same as the amp meter? Are there different ranges or volt meters? What range should I get?

Hmmm...I see a bunch on Amazon and they all range from 8 to 18 volts so I guess that's the standard?

I use this one...

http://v2.us.sparex.com/ItemDetails/ItemDetails.aspx?ItemNumber=61428

Look up JMOR's wire'n tips

souNdguy · Sep 11, 2014

(quoted from post at 19:04:01 09/10/14)

(quoted from post at 18:38:44 09/10/14)
If you have a 12V system install a voltmeter on it... Dump that useless amp meter... If you need a amp meter tote it around in yer pocket till you think you need it...

Click to expand...

That's a very good idea since the needle on that amp meter doesn't really move much at all. Just barely on the minus side to just barely on the plus side.

So a volt meter will hook up same as the amp meter? Are there different ranges or volt meters? What range should I get?

Hmmm...I see a bunch on Amazon and they all range from 8 to 18 volts so I guess that's the standard?

No the don't hookup the same, remove ammeter, barrel the wires together an then mount volt meter, volt meter has 2 wires, mount one to chassis, and one to switched side of key, observe polarity, key on volts show

Caryc · Sep 14, 2014

(quoted from post at 07:24:22 09/11/14)

(quoted from post at 19:04:01 09/10/14)

(quoted from post at 18:38:44 09/10/14)
If you have a 12V system install a voltmeter on it... Dump that useless amp meter... If you need a amp meter tote it around in yer pocket till you think you need it...

Click to expand...

That's a very good idea since the needle on that amp meter doesn't really move much at all. Just barely on the minus side to just barely on the plus side.

So a volt meter will hook up same as the amp meter? Are there different ranges or volt meters? What range should I get?

Hmmm...I see a bunch on Amazon and they all range from 8 to 18 volts so I guess that's the standard?

Click to expand...

No the don't hookup the same, remove ammeter, barrel the wires together an then mount volt meter, volt meter has 2 wires, mount one to chassis, and one to switched side of key, observe polarity, key on volts show

What gauge wire should I use on the volt meter?

souNdguy · Sep 15, 2014

Voltmeter? 24awg would be fine, just measuring ref voltages...

Caryc · Sep 15, 2014

(quoted from post at 04:13:31 09/15/14)
Voltmeter? 24awg would be fine, just measuring ref voltages...

Thank you.

Battery Recharge ?

Caryc

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Jimmyjack

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DGinVT

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souNdguy

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Hobo,NC

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Caryc

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4play

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NNP

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souNdguy

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souNdguy

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Hobo,NC

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souNdguy

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Caryc

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souNdguy

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Caryc

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