8n battery/ignition issue

[bakergore]

Bought a '48 8n last spring. It has run flawlessly- starting every time. Noticed that the water pump was going- so replaced it this weekend. Took the hood off. Waterpump went in fine.
Put the hood/gas tank back on- reconnected fuel line.
Went to start- but battery was dead- nothing. Noticed that I left the ignition pull knob out over night.
Figured that it was the first cold night of the year and battery was 6 years old, so bought a new battery.
installed battery, engine turned over fine but would not start. I think I was now getting no spark. I didn't test it, but it seemed to have plenty of fuel.
again left ignition knob out over night. oops.
Came back in the am- new battery dead.

so- two issues.
what is the battery drain, and what did I cook leaving the ignition knob out? Or other theories?
this is a 12V conversion.

 

[Soundguy]

more than likely you have ruined the points and maybee the coil.

sometimes the coils will actually split open from the heat.

if a 12v conversion, I hope you are using the oem ballast resistor AND a new 12v 2.5 ohm coil.,

or the oem 6v coil, the oem ballast resistor, PLUS another dropping resistor.

ps.. quit 'guessing' about spark.

check it.

if none.. check points... gap at .015 plugs at .025

also.. apparrently that pull /push ignition switch AIN'T working for you... what makes me wonder is.. how are you shutting the tractor off, and then turning the switch back on and leaving it?

might be time to go to a key switch, and lanyard it to your belt on one of those elastic lines.. so you will quit forgetting to turn the ignition off somehow.

 

[bakergore]

yep- left the ignition knob out both times- first because I ran it out of fuel after removing the tank/hood looking to find the water pump leak- second time- well, since it wouldn't start- I never needed to shut it off. I didn't realize it would cook it. learning.
Also could not check the spark after the battery went dead.

so- my plan.
charge the battery.
check for a spark.
if none- check/replace the points.
if still none- replace the coil?

many thanks

 

[Soundguy]

on the last line.. i'd at least continuity check the coil.. also.. use an ohm meter to check points.. sometimes in rare cases a condensor shorts and does not allow the points to open electrically.