New 8n owner, first post

[Cutty]

Hi all,
I just got my first 8n and first tractor today. It's a 51 I got from the local tractor dealer who got two of them on trade in from the original owner (he had two, one painted blue!). The one I got is a super nice working tractor. All tin is great, paint looks original, tires are good and everything works. It has been converted to a 12 volt system and the dealer put a new battery in it because someone had left the key on. It has a new working proofmeter with 6 hrs on it. The ammeter doesn't seem to be hooked up so I put my meter on the battery while running and it was putting out over 16 volts! Why would it be so high? Also, before I put the meter on it I pulled a battery cable to see if it would stay running, I remember that's how we use to test the charging system back in the 70's. As soon as I pulled the cable the motor died so I thought maybe it wasn't charging, that's why I got the meter out. Shouldn't it stay running when you pull the cable? What wire do you splice to wire up the ammeter? Been cruising the forum and have been learning lots. thanks in advance.
Andy in SE Tennessee

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Congrats on the new tractor!

I know there can be a learning curve, so here are a few pointers.

First, leaving the key on & draining the battery is only one worry; see tip # 38. Maybe you dodged the bullet.

Next, pulling the battery cable off of any running engine is never a good idea......you may well have toasted the alternator.

The alternator should be putting out at least 14.5 volts to charge the battery. 16 is a bit high, assuming your meter is ok. Check again. It might not be putting out anything now.

As far as hooking up the ammeter.....it depends on how the 12v conversion was done. Do an archives search for wiring diagrams & find the one that best matches what you have on the tractor.

Lastly.....do check out tip # 39. A good set of manuals will save you a lot of time & trouble.

Post back w/ any more questions.
50 Tips

 

[Cutty]

Thanks Bruce,
I have already reviewed and saved the Fifty tips to my new Tractor Folder! I put the meter on it after I pulled the cable so it is still working but 16.something volts seems a little high to me too. Is the ammeter a relic of the old 6 volt gen system that I should just replace with a volt meter? Seems like the easier way to go maybe. I'm almost hoping there is something I can do on it, every thing works so well on the tractor there just ain't much to tinker with! set of manuals has been ordered.
Andy

 

[souNdguy]

Good luck on the alt.. if it wasn't dead already.. it may be now.. going from load to no load can let the output voltage swing high.. and roast the important parts...

the fact the ammeter is not working tells me you have wire problems....

time to delouse the wireing and take the alt in for a free test to autozone..

soundguy

 

[souNdguy]

Good luck on the alt.. if it wasn't dead already.. it may be now.. going from load to no load can let the output voltage swing high.. and roast the important parts...

the fact the ammeter is not working tells me you have wire problems....

time to delouse the wireing and take the alt in for a free test to autozone..

soundguy

 

[souNdguy]

Good luck on the alt.. if it wasn't dead already.. it may be now.. going from load to no load can let the output voltage swing high.. and roast the important parts...

the fact the ammeter is not working tells me you have wire problems....

time to delouse the wireing and take the alt in for a free test to autozone..

soundguy

 

[Hobo,NC]

Before I pizz off my buds about how chizzy a amp meter is why don't you try yer voltmeter on another vehicle to confirm that the meter is accurate,,, it does happen BTDT worked all day before I found the bat was bout deaD IN MY mega buck trust worthy DVOM meter....


to answer yer Volt meter question YES I like a voltmeter over a amp meter for a quick general overview of the charging system,,, that's the real soul purpose of the gauge for every day use...


WARNING :shock: all I know I read on the Internet,,, do it enuff and you can become a guru also,,, not responsible for damages,,, I read it and just pass it along,,, proceed with caution

 

[Mike Groom]

Amp meters are hooked in series,voltmeters in parallel.

 

[Cutty]

Thanks for your replies, as I said though the alternator was putting out 16 volts AFTER I pulled and replaced the battery cable so I didn't manage to kill it this time but I won't do that again. We did use to do that on cars in the 70's though to see if they were charging. funny thing is the tractor did not stay running when I pulled the cable like those cars did. Changed the plugs today with H12's, it had H12's in cyls. 1 and 4 and some rusty resistor plugs in 2 and 3. A couple of the plugs were loose! Seems happier now but I am experiencing some hood rattle like it is rattling against the gas tank or something. putting my hand on it doesn't seem to help. What is between the hood and the tank? Is there something there to prevent rattling? Can I separate the hood from the tank and put some rubber between them or something? anybody else rattling?

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Probably the gas line. There is supposed to be a rubber grommet on it under the tank.
50 Tips

 

[Cutty]

not sure I understand, where would the gas line rattle against the tank? I don't remember noticing, it must be a metal line leaving the gas valve/sediment bowl then that runs up along the underside of the tank? Where does the grommet come in?
thanks

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 04:04:41 01/14/10) Thanks for your replies, as I said though the alternator was putting out 16 volts AFTER I pulled and replaced the battery cable so I didn't manage to kill it this time but I won't do that again. We did use to do that on cars in the 70's though to see if they were charging. funny thing is the tractor did not stay running when I pulled the cable like those cars did. Changed the plugs today with H12's, it had H12's in cyls. 1 and 4 and some rusty resistor plugs in 2 and 3. A couple of the plugs were loose! Seems happier now but I am experiencing some hood rattle like it is rattling against the gas tank or something. putting my hand on it doesn't seem to help. What is between the hood and the tank? Is there something there to prevent rattling? Can I separate the hood from the tank and put some rubber between them or something? anybody else rattling?

Just may B loose bolts that retain the tank,,, seen it a few times loctite is yer friend,,, mine are always locked down...

WARNING :shock: all I know I read on the Internet,,, do it enuff and you can become a guru also,,, not responsible for damages,,, I read it and just pass it along,,, proceed with caution

 

[Ed S.]

Your rattle could also be the fan blades striking the radiator shroud. Mine does that if I get the tractor all twisted up or on rough ground.

es

 

[Bruce (VA)]

The grommet goes between the metal line & the tank; it's called an 'anti-rattle device' in some catalogs.
50 Tips

 

[Cutty]

Well I went out and looked at the fuel line and it isn't even close to hitting the underside of the tank. Sounds more like a rattle between the hood and the top of the tank. Is there a "between" between there? Does the tank separate from the hood or is it all one unit? I guess this stuff will all be clearer when I get my manuals I ordered.