Help-Charging/Using a charger as engine starter-8N with 6V positive ground system

tmac196 · Jan 5, 2014

As we are about to have temperatures of 10 to 20 below zero the next two days a thought occurred to me..If my 8N has the original 6V positive ground electrical system, how would I go about using my Schumaker 4020S Battery Charger/Engine Starter to:

1. Charge my battery?
2. Start my engine in cold weather?

The Schumaker has a setting on the dial for 100amp/6V engine start (all of the other dial settings are for 12V systems). If my tractor's electrical system is a 6V positive ground, then upon which battery post do I hook the Red charger clamp to? Should I hook it to the "-" on the battery terminal which connects to the starter solenoid or to the "+" battery terminal which is currently grounded to the tractor frame?

For that matter, if I need to charge the battery and want to leave the terminals connected to the tractor's circuit, do I put the red charger clamp on my "+" or "-" battery terminals?

I have been blithely hooking the positive clamp to the "+" terminal and the black clamp to the "-" terminal in the past while the terminals are connected to the tractor's circuit just to charge the battery in the past and now wonder if this is why I have replaced two voltage regulators in the past 8 mos...hmmm.

DJ54 · Jan 5, 2014

Always red on positive post on the battery, and black on the negative. From what little info I could get from an online manual, it shows 40 amp & 100 amp in the same spot on the dial location for 6V only. Directions are for like 6 different models, so gave up reading on it. How you get the different settings in the same position may be found in the manual that came with it.

I have a 6V/12V Schumacher, but not sure of the model number, but it does have a rocker switch to go from 6V or 12V. And has 3 different selections I believe. 10/40 charge, then the 100 amp boost.

Kaliburz · Jan 5, 2014

As someone who has some 6 volt, positive ground systems, I can comment.

You hook them up according to the battery. Positive charger cable goes on positive post, negative charger cable on negative post. It does not matter if it is positive ground, you ALWAYS to + to +; - to -. With that being said, I have charged my 6 volt batts with everything hooked up. I have not had any issue. You say that you have had a regulator go bad, how did it go bad? Did the contacts stick? I can not comment on the boost starting in 6 volt, as my chargers do not have that option in 6 volt; only in 12 volt.

I have not personally tried to start a 6 volt system when it was cold; never when it was THAT cold. I have heard stories that w/ the old cars/trucks, people use to take their battery INSIDE there house where it was warm. I don't recall where the battery is at, but you could try that, if it's easy access to remove/install. If your starter is up to snuff, and the battery is good, it should work. I personally wouldn't think that putting the battery charger on it for 15-20 min prior to trying to start is a bad idea. Have you ever thought about putting an oil pan heater on it?? Heat travel up, so....just a thought. They have ones that you glue on permanently or magnetic mount (and I just looked, the 200 Watt magnetic is out of stock on Amazon....I wonder why

)

tmac196 · Jan 5, 2014

Kaliburz,

Here is the story on the VReg issue:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ford-vintage-tractors/283411-ford-8n-electrical-problem-no.html

If I need to use the charger to start the tractor I will let you know on this subsequent post.

As it is, thank you for the advice.

tmac

Soundguy · Jan 6, 2014

as KB said.

ALWAYS match + to + and - to - on chargers / jumpers.. etc.

I'm not sure why soooo mnay people get confused by what cable from the battery touches the chassis of the machine....

tmac196 · Jan 6, 2014

Thanks to all TBNers, there is one less confused person. This bulletin board is an exceptional resource.

Soundguy said:
as KB said.

ALWAYS match + to + and - to - on chargers / jumpers.. etc.

I'm not sure why soooo mnay people get confused by what cable from the battery touches the chassis of the machine....

Kaliburz · Jan 6, 2014

There is also another "trick" I was told by old timers. Soundguy prob. knows about it.... they make (or maybe made, past tense) an 8 volt battery. And I was told the voltage regulator can be adjusted "just" right/enough to charge the 8 Volt. And 8 Volts is w/ in the working range of the ignition system and starting system of the 6 Volt batteries. I was told the 8 Volt batteries spun the 6 Volt starters great..... just putting out options. I have never worked w/ nor saw this system......