Early 1950 8N Battery Charging Problem

I've been chasing a no or intermittent battery charging problem for quite some time now. The problem started when after 72 years, the original Auto-Lite regulator stopped working...a pretty good run for an electrical component! I took the generator and regulator to an auto electrical shop to test. They said the generator is good and regulator bad, so they sold me a new regulator. I got everything back on the tractor, started her up and saw that the ammeter was showing about 5 - 10 amps on the + side which is good I was thinking. I turned the headlights on to see how much it affects the charging and the ammeter swung over to a couple amps on the discharge side and after I turned the lights off, the ammeter stayed in the center. I noticed if I rapped on the regulator housing it would begin to charge again, but not for long. I seem to recall that with the old regulator the ammeter would always show a slight needle swing to the right while the tractor was running. Is this normal for a new regulator. The new regulator is made in India and wasn't exactly cheap.
 
This problem is what got me to convert to 12 volts on my two 8ns. Could not find a regulator that would keep working!
 
If you still have the original regulator you may be able to resurrect it as long as it does not have a burned out coil or resistor. The main failures are due to burned points and/or corroded solder joints.
 
(quoted from post at 14:10:41 06/13/22) If you still have the original regulator you may be able to resurrect it as long as it does not have a burned out coil or resistor. The main failures are due to burned points and/or corroded solder joints.

I was actually thinking about doing that! I'll pop the cover off it and have a look...thanks!
 
Ditto what R. Geiger said. But you don't have to do a 12 volt conversion. You can get a 1 wire 6 volt positive ground alternator. I got mine from a place called, Alternator Parts dot com.
 

I opened up the old original Auto-Lite regulator, disconnected one end of the resistor and tested it and it still checks out good. One set of contacts are in fairly good condition, the other set looks pitted. I couldn't find my ignition file but took some 400 grit fine paper and dressed it a bit so there's continuity thru those contacts at least...I have nothing to lose! I have to keep in mind that they don't see the same severe service that distributor points see. I absolutely understand why some people change over to electronic ignition and swap the generator/regulator for an alternator. This tractor has been in my family since new and would like to keep it all original, however I do want to keep it as a working tractor and will update the charging and ignition systems if I absolutely have to. I'll install this regulator again and see if it works.
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This post was edited by steveh1155 on 06/13/2022 at 02:16 pm.
 
(quoted from post at 15:18:31 06/13/22) Ditto what R. Geiger said. But you don't have to do a 12 volt conversion. You can get a 1 wire 6 volt positive ground alternator. I got mine from a place called, Alternator Parts dot com.

Thanks, that's good to know! I just bought new 6 volt headlights!

This post was edited by steveh1155 on 06/13/2022 at 03:42 pm.
 

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