Deciphering electrical mess.

My question- Since the previous owner converted to 12 volt, wouldnt I need a generator (alternator) capable of putting out 12? I always thought the factory generator would only put out 6 or 7 to charge a 6 volt battery...

Confused (as usual),

68 Mag

Good luck,
Gary

But you are talking about the early 8N 2-brush generator with square voltage regulator on the backside of the dashpanel. There are some 12 volt converters that want to keep it "original looking" by using a later model 12 generator and regulator from a later tractor. Its hard to tell.

My advice, bring both the generator and voltage regulator into a real oldfashioned generator rebuilt shop for checkout. Check your yellowpages.

As for screwing 12 volt direct to a 6 volt frontmount ignition coil, if your description is correct, its a wonder it runs at all. Realize that the OEM 6 volt ignition coil is really designed to run on about 3.5 volts after it is dropped by the infamous ballast resistor mounted on the backside of your dash-panel. 12 volts on a 6 volt coil will burn it out. toot-sweet

Lord save us all from the unqualified cheapskate shadetree mechanic that thinks he knows what he is doing and leaves a mess for the electrical challenged and confused.

You know that I am a 12 volt advocate for the right reasons, that said, so far I haven't found the right reason for my eazy starting 6 volt 52 8N and I know how to do it right. ..... ..Dell

Heres what I'd do, starting making pictorial diagrams of what you think your electrical system looks like. Then if'n it don't make sense, start comparing it to published conversion diagrams that you've researched out on the net, their there.

Then if you still don't understand, ask me, I can talk you thru it. But remember, it ran once, what did you do to stopitt?..... .....Dell

As I said, I'd be quite happy to help you do it right. I've answered your specific question about 12 volt generator but you have to be receptive to instructions.

As I see it, you have 2 issues. Is that really a 12 volt generator and does it really keep your 12 volt battery charged? The other issue is your ignition coil and what can be done to make it bulletproof?

I need to know how comfortable you are working on simple electrical systems? I need to know if you have any sort of electrical test equipment so I'm not guessing. Do you have any sort of a volt meter? Even a $10 cheepie from mega-hardware store is plenty good enough..... .....your friend and helper, Dell

Now, to the electrical- I feel comfortable working on anything, as long as I have someone telling me what I need to be doing. I'm sure I can come up with some sort of tester, because my dad is a Union electrician.

He would help me, but due to the upcoming IBEW reunion, he's not here, and after that he's talking about having to go to Boston to find work, so he wont be here. So, I need to fix it on my own. The guy I get my parts from said he'd help me as much as he could, but since he's not a mechanic, he said he probably wont be able to help much.

Well, there it is. If you have any detailed questions, shoot me an email later.

Your friend,

68 Mag...ehh, whatha heck...Blake. Figure if everone else here can be honest enough to use their real name, it wouldnt kill me to at least sign a post with mine...

Blake.