Kimberly Ford

[Kimberlyford]

So my purchase of the 1952 ford 8n side mounted tractor that was supposedly changed to twelve volt system. I had many issues when I brought it home. Removed wiring mess and redid all and replaced most of everything. Good news it runs and runs well now. Starts instantly and without effort. My only issue now is I can not figure out how to make the alternator charge while it痴 running. I致e tried switching wires and all but it just is t working out for me. That痴 hopefully something someone familiar with these old fords 8n can help me with. Please!!! Thanks

 

[ovrszd]

Welcome to TBN.

is it an alternator or generator?

Can you confirm the voltage by looking at the battery? If not, a pic of the battery top would help

 

[Kimberlyford]

Alternator twelve volt system I have just completed. It is side mounted if there is a big difference on how it is done. I have a delco professional series battery in it and definitely twelve volt.

 

[Kimberlyford]

I will post a picture as soon as I can get back to the shed. I guess I do not want the alternator to charge the battery just to maintain it.

 

[ovrszd]

There are different types of alternators. My favorite is GM style with built in regulator. Requires one large wire to carry ouput. Requires one small wire from system to monitor system voltage. When voltage is low, regulator tells Alt to charge.

 

[Kimberlyford]

Yes I believe that is the one I have and it has the two wires. I do believe it is a gm with the regulator in it. Could it not charge the system until it allows it to drop far enough or would the battery lose some first before it kicks in? Maybe I have just not waiting long enough?

 

[Roadworthy]

Don't start the tractor. Read the battery voltage. Start the tractor. The reading should go up a bit if the alternator is charging. The battery should initially read just over thirteen volts. With the alternator running it will probably read fourteen or fifteen volts.

 

[ovrszd]

And, every time you start the tractor the regulator should activate the alternator for at least several seconds until it recharges the battery drain from starting.

 

[Kimberlyford]

This could be a concern then. My battery reads 12.7-12.8 in that area before I run the tractor. But it stays around there too after and does not change even after the tractor is running. I have even ran it up and down the road putting it through the gears , thinking it was not getting enough rpm to push the voltage up. Does not change at all. I tried changing and reversing wires and nothing seems to help.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, alternator isn't working.

With an alternator you should see a voltage increase even at an idle.

The small wire running to the alternator should have 12V when the ignition is on without engine running. That's how the regulator knows to activate the alternator.

If this wire has the proper voltage then the fault is within the alternator and/or builtin regulator.

Might be worthwhile to remove alternator and take it to your local auto parts store to be tested. They should test it free.