Re-wire a 51 8N, 6V system

[djmarch]

Getting ready to re-wire my 51, 8N, 6V system with the exception of the lights. And no, I'm not going to convert over to 12V. The previous owner has placed butt splices throughout. In addition the wire is brittle with insulation cracks, and corroded terminals. I've searched many wiring diagrams, but none showed me wire gauge size. So here is my thoughts. Use 10awg for the starting circuit. Use 12awg for the charging circuit, (generator/regulator), and 14awg for the ignition circuit. Appreciate all comments for recommendations on this.

P.S. Wondering if I could get by using 12awg for the start circuit.

 

[wore out]

Getting ready to re-wire my 51, 8N, 6V system with the exception of the lights. And no, I'm not going to convert over to 12V. The previous owner has placed butt splices throughout. In addition the wire is brittle with insulation cracks, and corroded terminals. I've searched many wiring diagrams, but none showed me wire gauge size. So here is my thoughts. Use 10awg for the starting circuit. Use 12awg for the charging circuit, (generator/regulator), and 14awg for the ignition circuit. Appreciate all comments for recommendations on this.

P.S. Wondering if I could get by using 12awg for the start circuit.

What, exactly, do you mean by the "start circuit"?

As it left the factory, it had a solenoid with a single wire to the tranny-top neutral safety start switch, 14 or even 16ga wire would be just fine for that.

The ignition system only draws about 4 Amps, so no big wire needed there.

With the original generator, 10ga is more than adequate for the generator-regulator-starter solenoid charging wiring.

 

[djmarch]

What, exactly, do you mean by the "start circuit"?

As it left the factory, it had a solenoid with a single wire to the tranny-top neutral safety start switch, 14 or even 16ga wire would be just fine for that.

The ignition system only draws about 4 Amps, so no big wire needed there.

With the original generator, 10ga is more than adequate for the generator-regulator-starter solenoid charging wiring.

The start circuit is the push button switch to the starter solenoid, the ammeter, and wire going to the BATT terminal on the regulator.

 

[djmarch]

With the original generator, 10ga is more than adequate for the generator-regulator-starter solenoid charging wiring.

Do you think I could get by using 12awg wire ?

 

[wore out]

The start circuit is the push button switch to the starter solenoid, the ammeter, and wire going to the BATT terminal on the regulator.

As it left the factory, "the ammeter, and wire going to the BATT terminal on the regulator" are NOT part of the starting circuit.

That would be part of the charging circuit.

 

[Jim.ME]

With the original generator, 10ga is more than adequate for the generator-regulator-starter solenoid charging wiring.

Do you think I could get by using 12awg wire ?

Yes

 

[djmarch]

Thank you. Previous owner had a hodgepodge of different size wires including the 10awg wire. He even had a 12awg wire going from the terminal block to the coil.

 

[Ray,IN]

This website is all links to Ford, Fordson, and Ferguson links: http://adeptr.com/S_Ford.htm

 

[Pappy]

Getting ready to re-wire my 51, 8N, 6V system with the exception of the lights. And no, I'm not going to convert over to 12V. The previous owner has placed butt splices throughout. In addition the wire is brittle with insulation cracks, and corroded terminals. I've searched many wiring diagrams, but none showed me wire gauge size. So here is my thoughts. Use 10awg for the starting circuit. Use 12awg for the charging circuit, (generator/regulator), and 14awg for the ignition circuit. Appreciate all comments for recommendations on this.

P.S. Wondering if I could get by using 12awg for the start circuit.

Look up a post by TimPlownmanDaley on 08-12-2022 . Pictures by JMOR. Title: Ford Tractor Electrical Systems-101

 

[Pappy]

Better yet, go to the bottom of this page. (Similar Threads) The information is still there. Everything one would ever need to know.

 

[JIM MN]

Suggestion! Use wire with an outer coating that the mice and rodents won't chew up?

 

[soaked]

Here is first 8n owners manual on left, 1947, and last 1952 on right.
47 gives wire size for front mount 8ns.
52 does not, unfortunately.