completed my 12 volt change over today! 1951 8n

well, a couple weeks ago, the 6 volt battery finally bit the dust. a replacement is approaching $100 nowadays.

after some debate, i decided to go ahead and covert the tractor over to 12 volts. it's not a show tractor, it has dents and dings, we use it for the garden, pulling trees, etc.

i've had some parts stashed over the years. i had the alternator from my old camaro that got stolen, got a 48 series delco 12 volt battery (07+ tahoe) from work that i traded a core battery for, so i started reading up on the switchover.

i got a universal upper alternator bracket, i HATE chrome, but it works. i think it cost me $20 after tax. i modified the bracket following BeeMO's pdf over on another N tractor site.

i actually reused most of the wiring harness, as it had been replaced at some point. i did run new wires for my coil, and starter button as someone did a poor job of repairing them. i have marine heat shrink tubing that i used to seal all of my electrical connections.

a co-worker picked up a volt meter for me last week at the flea market, only cost me $6. works well enough for what it is.

i did replace the coil. i used a napa IC14SB coil. it cost me $20 after tax.

i made a shelf and bolted it to the side of the battery box, used a piece of upright from some shelving units that i got from work. this serves two purposes. one, it gives me a place to secure my wiring harness. two, it steadies the outside edge of the battery (48 series battery is pretty big)

so, all things considered, i'm into this changeover for less than $100.
 
sounds good!!! does you gauge show alt charging? you sure helped me out on my problem, had solenoid on backwards, thanks abunch!!!

dave
 
My Jubilee was converted over to 12v before I bought it. When it's cold, the 6v battery sheared off
the starter drive 2 times. The last time it chipped a tooth on starter ring. That's when I decided
to get a 12v starter from YT for about $150.

Your 8n has a smaller engine and you may get by using 6v starter. The Jubilee has a bigger engine
and the cold thick oil may been all it took to shear off 2 starter drives.

This is just my opinion. The old marvel carbs were disigned to work when hand cranking engine, very
slow cranking. The 6v starter on 12v will spin engine very fast. You may find that after a few
cranks get off the starter and see if engine doesn't start the instant you get off the starter.
 
(quoted from post at 09:31:54 09/21/15) sounds good!!! does you gauge show alt charging? you sure helped me out on my problem, had solenoid on backwards, thanks abunch!!!

dave

Glad I was able to help! To answer your question, yes I installed a voltmeter in place of the ammeter. I enclosed a photo below.

28124.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 07:56:42 09/23/15) My Jubilee was converted over to 12v before I bought it. When it's cold, the 6v battery sheared off
the starter drive 2 times. The last time it chipped a tooth on starter ring. That's when I decided
to get a 12v starter from YT for about $150.

Your 8n has a smaller engine and you may get by using 6v starter. The Jubilee has a bigger engine
and the cold thick oil may been all it took to shear off 2 starter drives.

This is just my opinion. The old marvel carbs were disigned to work when hand cranking engine, very
slow cranking. The 6v starter on 12v will spin engine very fast. You may find that after a few
cranks get off the starter and see if engine doesn't start the instant you get off the starter.

I talked with a coworker of mine who has an 8n, and uses it for similar things like we use ours.... He converted his over years ago, and still is using the original 6volt starter with no problems. If it fails, I'll get a 12 volt starter. :)
 

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