When the battery is fully charged on the 8N with a 12 volt system, it starts like electronic ignition practically...it's that quick. But I only use it to mow 4 acres of grass every two weeks or so, and little by little it seems to lose power until it becomes weak. The battery is perhaps two years old. Is it because I don't use it frequently enough that the battery gets weak? OR is the alternator charging system not producing full recharge? What should I expect? How can I test alternator output?
- Thread starter Philco
- Start date
Ted in NE-OH
Well-known Member
Check the charging system.
If you have that much idle time between use, a battery maintainer is a good idea. Something like a BatteryMINDer 12117 from northern tool. The battery will remain fully charged and ready to go, plus battery will last 2-3 times as long and always be ready to start. also make sure the battery top is clean and dry.
Janicholson
Well-known Member
A simple test is to disconnect the battery after use. then next use attach it and see if it does the same thing . If it fires up like "electronic ignition" suspect the alternator as a continuous draw. If it is a one wire system that is likely. Jim
guido
Well-known Member
Hello Philco,
Take a volt meter and check for voltage reading from the top of the battery and the positive post. Any reading will make the battery self discharge. Also you should check the battery voltage when the engine is running. 13.8 -14.2volts is the normal charging voltage. Check the voltage the next day, it should be at least 12.6 volts at 80 *F. You can check for a voltage drain. Remove + cable put meter on volts settings between the cable and the battery post. Parassitic drain is usually around 35 milliamps. If you measure volts instead of millivolts then you need to find the drain. Happy hunting!
Guido.
Take a volt meter and check for voltage reading from the top of the battery and the positive post. Any reading will make the battery self discharge. Also you should check the battery voltage when the engine is running. 13.8 -14.2volts is the normal charging voltage. Check the voltage the next day, it should be at least 12.6 volts at 80 *F. You can check for a voltage drain. Remove + cable put meter on volts settings between the cable and the battery post. Parassitic drain is usually around 35 milliamps. If you measure volts instead of millivolts then you need to find the drain. Happy hunting!
Guido.
Do the tests suggested by Guido. If it passes and there's no parasitic drain,have battery and alternator tested. If both test good,decrease pulley size on alternator so it spin's faster. The car which alternator was probably designed for turns close to double rpms as your N.
Hobo,NC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Sanford, NC
Sounds like a loose belt issue BTDT... I had the wrong pulley on the alt
I fell for the trap of a universal pulley it bit me... About 13.6 was all the alt would put out I pushed the alt fan and it slipped... Time to replace with the correct pulley and a new belt...
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
A good battery and good charging system should never require charging.
Have you done a hydrometer test on battery?
Have you checked for a parasitic load?
What is the battery voltage when tractor is running?
Have you taken your battery to a dealer and have it tested?
Is the belt slipping on the alternator?
Are all your cables clean or oxidation?
Are all cable connections tight?
Is your alternator connected to a rusty frame? May want to run a ground wire to alternator.
Does you ammeter show charge when running?
geo
Have you done a hydrometer test on battery?
Have you checked for a parasitic load?
What is the battery voltage when tractor is running?
Have you taken your battery to a dealer and have it tested?
Is the belt slipping on the alternator?
Are all your cables clean or oxidation?
Are all cable connections tight?
Is your alternator connected to a rusty frame? May want to run a ground wire to alternator.
Does you ammeter show charge when running?
geo
I put a disconnect on my of my equipment that's not used at least weekly just for a little piece of mind. The test suggested above will help find any problem. Personally I would want to know only two things. Does the charging system read around 14v and does the battery pass a load test.
But a poor connection is as likely as anything. Clean off the terminals (regardless of how clean they look) and run the two test and you'll either have a fixed tractor, or know what to fix IMO.
But a poor connection is as likely as anything. Clean off the terminals (regardless of how clean they look) and run the two test and you'll either have a fixed tractor, or know what to fix IMO.
Blackhole49
Well-known Member
- Location
- White Lake MI
My 12 volt converted 8n routinely sits for 2 months in the winter with a now 6 year old battery. It has never failed to start. You either have a bad battery or it isn't charging. My money is on not charging since it is good for a while once charged.
A friend of mine taught me an old trick that works. If you touch the back of your alternator right in the center area that's about the size of a quarter with a screwdriver or and metal object, the object should stick like a magnet if the alternator is charging. If it don't stick then its not charging.
Like others have said check voltage at the battery with it running.
To me your problem sounds like the charging system is not charging your battery and the whole time you're mowing you're running off battery reserve and the next time you want to use it the battery is way low.
You can check for a drain if you want. I always use my 10 amp charger as a power sourc when checking for a drain. I disconnect the battery and connect the charger to the vehicle. It tells me right away how many amps the drain is drawing if there is a drain, and that helps steer me in the correct direction. On these old tractors there aren't too many directions to go so I consider it easy.
To me your problem sounds like the charging system is not charging your battery and the whole time you're mowing you're running off battery reserve and the next time you want to use it the battery is way low.
You can check for a drain if you want. I always use my 10 amp charger as a power sourc when checking for a drain. I disconnect the battery and connect the charger to the vehicle. It tells me right away how many amps the drain is drawing if there is a drain, and that helps steer me in the correct direction. On these old tractors there aren't too many directions to go so I consider it easy.
To all you caring guys that took the time to respond to my concerning question about me having to periodically recharge my Ford 8N tractor, "Charging battery every two months, is it normal?" A million thank yous. I will test the voltage, check the pulley size on alternator, consider getting a Battery Minder, clean the posts to be sure and all other wire connections, learn how to do a parasitic drain test, and check to see if the alternator is drawing from the battery. THANKS AGAIN, GUYS!
BarnyardEngineering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rochester, NY
What does your ammeter say?
If it indicates a significant charge while you run the tractor, then you've got a bad battery.
If it indicates a discharge while you run the tractor, then the alternator is not working or it is hooked up incorrectly.
If it does not indicate anything then it is not hooked up, and your alternator probably isn't hooked up either.
Your alternator is probably toast in the last two options, regardless. Alternators don't like to be run without a battery being hooked up. They tend to run away and burn themselves out trying to charge a "0 Volts" battery.
If it indicates a significant charge while you run the tractor, then you've got a bad battery.
If it indicates a discharge while you run the tractor, then the alternator is not working or it is hooked up incorrectly.
If it does not indicate anything then it is not hooked up, and your alternator probably isn't hooked up either.
Your alternator is probably toast in the last two options, regardless. Alternators don't like to be run without a battery being hooked up. They tend to run away and burn themselves out trying to charge a "0 Volts" battery.
Barnyard...the ammeter hasn't worked for years, as there's moisture in th glass, been like that for 26 years I've had it. Always wanted that
thing to work, and since I'm going to Tractor Supply today, I just might begin with a new one. Thanks for your input. In the past, I never
really gave that meter much respect. The oil pressure meter has been changed a long while ago, and gives good confidence I have good oil
pressure.
Thanks again.
thing to work, and since I'm going to Tractor Supply today, I just might begin with a new one. Thanks for your input. In the past, I never
really gave that meter much respect. The oil pressure meter has been changed a long while ago, and gives good confidence I have good oil
pressure.
Thanks again.
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