Ford 8N voltage drop

Trying to troubleshoot some electrical issues with my '51 Ford 8N. With my multimeter,
I notice that the voltage on the 6V battery is adequate off the tractor, but when I hook
it up and turn the key, it drops around 1.5V and won't even turn over. Is this a bad
battery issue, or is there some other voltage leak I should try to find?
 
When you turn the key on and if the points are closed you will see some voltage drop. But you say the battery voltage is adequate. A fully charged battery should be around 6.6 volts. Is it?
 
Let's get this clear..You say when you turn the ignition to the on position without activaing the starter the battery voltage at the battery terminals drops to 1.5V. Is this correct?
If this correct you have a bad battery or a bad voltmeter
 
Bruce states, Voltage should be about 4.5 to 5v at the points closed. So a 6V battery should drop 1.5V or so if the points are closed, which is what I'm
seeing with the multimeter. Since it won't turn, however, there must be another issue.
 
(quoted from post at 21:16:12 09/12/22) Measured post to post, with all the connections made.
ctual post to post (before any connections) and battery drops to 1.5 v with no starter current and just key on, points closed or open, that battery is worthless, no good.
 
(quoted from post at 23:39:32 09/12/22) Roger that - my thoughts were heading towards Find a new battery.

sal, is the voltage dropping [b:82f68c4680]by[/b:82f68c4680] or [b:82f68c4680]to[/b:82f68c4680] 1.5 volts?

dropping by 1.5 volts is normal, dropping TO 1.5 volts is a dead battery.
 
(quoted from post at 00:15:37 09/13/22)
(quoted from post at 23:39:32 09/12/22) Roger that - my thoughts were heading towards Find a new battery.

sal, is the voltage dropping [b:f2a43e76a5]by[/b:f2a43e76a5] or [b:f2a43e76a5]to[/b:f2a43e76a5] 1.5 volts?

dropping by 1.5 volts is normal, dropping TO 1.5 volts is a dead battery.
y or to....excellent point.
 
HiYa Sal-
OK, others explained the battery voltage, and a dead battery is the likely suspect. A '51 would use the Angle (Side) Mount Distributor. Is this what you have? Forget about the s/n; it means relatively nothing. Just because you have a 6V battery does not mean your system is wired correctly for the OEM 6V/POS GRN setup. When key is ON, start pushbutton depressed, and solenoid just clicks, your battery is weak or dead, so take to a local shop and have them test it on their special machine under load, usually there is no charge for this, pun not intended. Your basic trickle charger isn't going to fix a dead battery. If BAT test bad, invest in a good brand new one, 6V = GRP 1 AG Type. INTERSTATE, DEKA, EXIDE, EAST-PENN/DURACELL are the best to get. Stay away from bargain house brands - they usually have poor life spans. The 6V/POS GRN system uses a GENERATOR and a VOLTAGE REGULATOR. The GENERATOR MUST HAVE a belt tensioner attached otherwise you will never charge the battery. Know too that 99.98% of all non-starting issues are due to incorrect wiring. Invest in, if you don't already have, The ESSENTIAL MANUALS. A must read for every N-Owner.

FORD 8N ANGLE MOUNT DISTRIBUTOR:
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CORRECT FORD 8N ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - 6V & 12V:
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FORD 8N TRACTOR ESSENTIAL OWNER/OPERATOR/PARTS/SERVICE MANUALS:
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Tim Daley(MI)
 
By 1.5V, sorry for the lack of clarity.

But the battery seems to not hold a charge as well. I will have it checked out and likely buy a new one.
 
(quoted from post at 07:33:51 09/13/22) By 1.5V, sorry for the lack of clarity.

But the battery seems to not hold a charge as well. I will have it checked out and likely buy a new one.
ven "by" 1.5 is still too much for a 4 to 5 ampere gnition coil load
 
Go back and read his post again. He didn't say it dropped TO 1.5 volts he said it dropped 1.5 volts.

HFJ, clean your battery posts and cable clamps.
 
(quoted from post at 13:20:38 09/13/22) Go back and read his post again. He didn't say it dropped TO 1.5 volts he said it dropped 1.5 volts.

that was my impression too. i read the entire thread, and it seemed that JMOR and Sal were not on the same page. point of clarification, please - exactly who was that hostility directed to?

Actual post to post (before any connections) and battery drops to 1.5 v with no starter current and just key on, points closed or open, that battery is worthless, no good.

Roger that - my thoughts were heading towards Find a new battery.

now, i could have come in here and done what u did, but i respect JMOR.

HFJ, clean your battery posts and cable clamps.

why? my 12 volt tractor starts just fine. go back and read the thread again :roll:

This post was edited by HFJ on 09/13/2022 at 09:59 am.
 
Why the ruckus? I simply asked for clarification. I wanted to be certain of circumstances before blurting out a quick response that could be in error.
 
HFJ, sorry, I got lost as to who made the original post. It was meant for Salparadise808, to clean his battery posts and cable connections before going out and buying a new battery.
 

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