Low Battery voltage?

[Jim Phillip]

I have been working on getting a 48' 8N (6V front mount) running reliably again after sitting for 7 years. Replaced points (gapped at .015), condenser, coil, distributor, cap, and rotor. I already knew (from previous owner) that the generator was not charging but in the interest of getting it running I figured that could wait. Got it running well and charged the battery overnight. Used it for about 12 hours over the weekend with 8-10 starts and no problems. Was using it and it just shut down and died like a switch opened! Cranks well but not getting ammeter fluctuation (points not operating?) and further checking showed no spark (spark checker). It was about a half mile from home so did the obvious first. Good gas flow, pulled coil ( has proper resistance 1 ohm), distributor and rotor look good?, pulled distributor off and checked points operation with multimeter and re-checked gap. Battery voltage at coil was about 5? with switch on. Still no spark. Swapped coil, no change. Swapped condenser, no change, jumpered ignition switch, no change (multimeter check show continuity when on). Will a low battery cause it to stop running and then not allow a restart? Have the battery on the charger right now but thought I would ask. And yes, the battery showed it was really low when i put it on the charger but it was not having cranking problems.

 

[old]

I have been working on getting a 48' 8N (6V front mount) running reliably again after sitting for 7 years. Replaced points (gapped at .015), condenser, coil, distributor, cap, and rotor. I already knew (from previous owner) that the generator was not charging but in the interest of getting it running I figured that could wait. Got it running well and charged the battery overnight. Used it for about 12 hours over the weekend with 8-10 starts and no problems. Was using it and it just shut down and died like a switch opened! Cranks well but not getting ammeter fluctuation (points not operating?) and further checking showed no spark (spark checker). It was about a half mile from home so did the obvious first. Good gas flow, pulled coil ( has proper resistance 1 ohm), distributor and rotor look good?, pulled distributor off and checked points operation with multimeter and re-checked gap. Battery voltage at coil was about 5? with switch on. Still no spark. Swapped coil, no change. Swapped condenser, no change, jumpered ignition switch, no change (multimeter check show continuity when on). Will a low battery cause it to stop running and then not allow a restart? Have the battery on the charger right now but thought I would ask. And yes, the battery showed it was really low when i put it on the charger but it was not having cranking problems.

Low voltage on a battery can take the amps away from the coil so you in turn do not have spark or a very weak spark.

 

[Jim Phillip]

Yep! Charged the battery a few hours and it fired right up. Didn't know it would make it stop running though. Guess its time to figure out the generator problem..

 

[lha]

If You have a starter/generator shop in your Town,they can rebuild or check the starter and regulator.

 

[lha]

If You have a starter/generator shop in your Town,they can rebuild or check the starter and regulator.

I meant the generator,but the starter can be checked as well. When my '41 9n wasn't charging,I had it checked,but it was the cutout. He so;d me an electronic one that lasted about 15 years,then I got a cutout from this site and it's still charging.