8n Electricals

Yes, 6 volt N-Tractors were originally and should still be "positive ground". If'n ya convert to 12 volts, your 12 volt alternator's internal solid state gutts absolutely DEMANDS negative ground. Understand?

DO NOT 8 VOLT, its a BAD IDEA. And unless you know how to "adjust" your 8N voltage regulator, you'll be runnin' round with a discharged 8 volt battery. The OEM 6 volt frontmount coil doesn't like too many volts and will puke its gutts. 8 volts not good idea.

Starter don't care positive or negative ground. Generator don't really care positive or negative ground as long as the voltage regulator was "POLARIZED" for whatever the battery ground is. Sparkie coil does care, incorrect coil polarity can loose upto 40% of your sparkies.

Since you seem to have a non-chargeable battery issue. Make certain that your generator/voltage regulator are correctly "polarized" for whatever you decide your 6 volt battery ground is. 'course it never hurts to do it like the factory, positive ground.

To polarize your 6 volt 8N, spark-arc your BATT and ARM terminals at your voltage regulator. (they're side-by-side).

As to wheather to convert to 12 volts, do a search of the N-Board archives. Read'em and weep.

I'm a 12 volt advocate for the right reasons. That said, I haven't found the right reason for my eazy starting '52 8N, and I know how to do it right, the first time. In fact I know 7-ways to do it right.

Remember, the 6 volt mantra: "keep'em clean, bright, and tight" and don't be fer usin' enny of them thar wimpy ferrin made k-mart battery cables. Gettcha sum 'arry chested 'merrican made thick as yer thumb 1/0 battery cables. And amaze yerselfs how eazy yer 6 volter starts..... ..Dell

A few things to keep in mind... many of us here still have stock 6v electrical systems and run fine.. even with 2-3 lights. If you are switching to 8 or 12v to help starting.. you are just hiding problems.. better to correct those than to cover them up.....as they will resurface.

About the only reason I can think of to go to 12v.. is if you need to run 12v powered devices...

Some things to look for.. (1) is your current battery a 6v or has it already been 'patched' with an 8v battery? If 8v.. that 6v genny isn't going to do a good job of charging it.

If you are going to stay 6v.. might as well go back to pos grnd. There are some ignition characteristics that you will want to ask Dell about.. that is.. correct polarity and hookup of the coil, etc..

You will have to repolarize your genny as well... then you can check everything out.

Might do yourself a favor and have that battery checked.. or if you have a specific gravity tester do it yourself.

If you are concerned about jumping.. remember you can still jump your 6v tractor off with 12v.. just hook up on the starter side of the solenoid or switch.. and don't hit the thumb button.

SouNdguy

12 volt starts better because you have more juice and more crank, but starting shouldn't be a big deal with 6v. You might be better off looking into why your battery went dead. Was it lack of charging or just spent?

• Jim's Generator webpage