1953 Golden Jubilee 6v to 12v conversion

There is so much stuff out there I am having a hard time wading through all of it trying to find what I need! HELP!

My '53 GJ has its original 6 volt system on it and it has given me grief over the years, not wanting to start, dead battery, etc.

I'd like to change this over to 12v and thought I saw a "kit" one time that included everything necessary to do this job. Can this kit still be had? Can someone point me to it?!

Thanks for any and all help!

Bryan

Converting to 12v don"t always fix your problems. Anyways, if you look at the top of the page you"ll see a link for conversion kits. It"s in small blue type so you"ll probably have to squint to see it.

Dan

I also urge you to get her ignition and carb in good working order before you convert. inthe end once you get good hot sparks and a good fuel system, if you have slightly low compression giving you hard starts.. the 12v conversion may help you along in bandaid fashion as it spinns the old 6v starter faster.

soundguy

If you can't make it run on 6v, you probably can't make it run on 12v either.

As nearly all 12v advocates will tell you, don't try to fix electrical/performance problems w/ a 12v conversion. Other than brighter lights, a faster spinning starter & the ability to operate 12v auxiliary equipment, a 12v conversion isn't going to make a poorly running tractor run better. You might want to fix whatever problems you are having on your tractor before you spend $200 to find out it had a bad cable or connection. From my experience, I've only found two reasons to convert to 12v: If you need to run 12v equipment (sprayers, pumps, lights, etc) or your N has poor compression (like less than 90 lbs) and you do not want to rebuild it, then a 12v conversion makes sense. Otherwise, you will likely be trading one set of problems for another. If your tractor is hard to start in cold weather (or any weather) find out why & fix it! These tractors have low compression, low HP engines and will start just fine on 6v. There is nothing inherently 'wrong' w/ a 12v conversion. The problem is that there are about 6 different ways to convert the tractor to 12v, all of them work, and an infinite number of ways to do it wrong. If you have a basic understanding of tractor mechanics, you can buy a quality kit (from this site or many others)& do it correctly. Or, you can buy an alternator & fabricate brackets if you are skilled at that sort of stuff. Of course, if you have a basic understanding of tractor mechanics, you could just as easily fix the problem that you are trying to cure with the 12v conversion. Most problems we read about w/ 12v conversions are as a result of folks getting in over their heads trying to fabricate a conversion, using inferior kits or using kits w/ directions written in Chinese, or buying tractors w/ "Bubba" conversions and now the new owner is stuck with trying to figure it out. All four of my N's are 6v & they all four start the first time, every time, no matter what the weather. You will find that to be the case with folks who live in a lot of places much colder than VA.

Now before the 12v advocates give me a spanking, let me add that lots of folks around here have 12v conversions & are perfectly happy w/ them because the conversions were done correctly. 12v is also more forgiving of poor grounds/weak cables, etc than 6v, so keeping everything "clean, bright & tight" in the system is not as critical. 12v gives you twice as much current & a faster spinning starter. And, because 6v headlights are 35w & 12v are 55w, the headlights are brighter.

If you do decide that a 12v conversion is the way to go, plenty of folks on this board have done them and they work well, so you have come to the right place for help!

Lastly, here is a copy of a post from a fellow who fixed his problem rather than spending time & money on a 12v conversion:

Parke1

06-11-2008 04:57:25
216.153.169.120
666141

Re: 2 questions... in reply to Parke1, 06-09-2008 16:44:47

Bruce, you hit the nail on the head!

I started to follow your advice about cleaning all the contacts up. I had inspected the battery cables previously, and they looked to be 1/0 cables, but I checked 'em again, just to be sure. Sure enough, I had been fooled. They were actually some sort of chinsy little cables (I'd guess 4 gauge) with really really thick insulation! I yanked those puppies out and quickly made up some new cables out of welding ground cable. You won't find thicker cables than these anywhere! I hooked them up, finished cleaning all my grounds and contacts, and hit the starter button.

WHOA! This thing cranks about four times faster now, and fires right up! I kept shutting it off and restarting it just to check everything out, and she runs like a top!

Thanks again for the help guys! Now that I know the potential of this 6 volt system when it's running correctly, I'll be forgetting all thoughts of a 12 volt system
50 Tips

Bryan, I know this isn't what you asked for....Dan gave you that, but 12 volt batteries are also know to go bad. 6 volt / 12 volt they still go bad after awhile. One thing about the 6 volt system is that you have to have all your electrical connections kept clean, and tight. As the saying goes, "clean bright and tight" . Then you want to make sure your battery cables are for a 6 volt system. Not the smaller gauge cables made for the 12 volt system. Your plug wires should be copper and not the string type. A tune up ever couple of years or so, with new plugs, points and condenser also helps. Not trying to persuade you to keep yours 6 volts, but switching to 12 and not correcting your present problems may not be the answer you are looking for. My Jubilee is still 6 volts and my 8N is 12. Other than the starter motor turning over much faster on the 8N I can't really see much difference. They both get up and go when needed. Keep them tuned up with a fully charged battery and you should be good to go with either system.

I'd try to make the 6V work. I have a '53 Jubilee that was coverted to 12V by a previous owner. Right now it works fine but what a jumble of wiring / changes that have been done over the years.
The previous responses to your post come from experienced owners who have been working on these tractors for years. Follow their advice and you'll be fine.
Tim

Bryan,

I feel qualified to answer this because I own a Jubilee...and I make part of my income from selling tractor parts. ;=)

Trust these guys...just clean up what you have! My Jube is 6V and it's fine.

Tim

'42 Ford 2N, #9N103775
'49 Farmall Cub, #98040
'53 Ford NAA Jubilee, #NAA-56293
'64 Minneapolis Moline Jetstar, 3 #28301626
nnalert Tractor

What a fantastic site! I figured I’d be lucky to get a response, you all are great!

Well my old tractor runs really good. Everything is kept neat & clean and the wiring is in pretty good shape. I haven’t checked the gauge of the battery wires on it, good point, I’ll check that when I get home.

I guess the biggest problem I’ve always had is that the batteries I’ve had for it seem to be junk, plain and simple. Won’t hold a charge and / or end up with mostly dead cells in them. The only place around that I found that has one the right size for this thing is Tractor Supply.

Slow cranking is what lead me to think that a 12v system would be the way to go, that and the poor track history with the 6v batteries.

As suggested here, I think the best course of action would be to make sure everything is clean & tight, check the battery cables, and put a fresh new battery in and give that system one more shot before I consider the 12v.

I really appreciate all the helpful advice!

Bryan

Bryan,

>>>>Everything is kept neat & clean and the wiring is in pretty good shape<<<<<

Not one place, I'd wager! This one bit me...take the starter off, scrub all the mating surfaces of the starter case and the bell housing and all the bolts that hold em together...and put it back on. This is a spot that made quite a difference on my Jube's anemic cranking speed years ago. Drove me nuts cuz... "Everything was kept neat and clean"...I thought. ;=)

Tim
nnalert Tractor

"The only place around that I found that has one the right size for this thing is Tractor Supply. "

Which might explain why you are having battery problems.

Plenty of auto parts stores carry 6v batteries. Sometimes they have to special order them, but they are available.

When I purchased my 1951 8N, in October, 2002, it came w/ the above battery, a Deka, model 901MF. The date code on the battery was April, 2000.

I'm not sure how the PO maintained the battery the first two years of it's life, but given the overall condition of the tractor when I purchased it, my bet is it sat unused most of the time.

I always run the N's to operating temp every 3 or 4 weeks if they haven't been used. To make sure the battery doesn't discharge, all 4 N's now have Battery Tender float chargers.

I also keep everything "clean, bright & tight", use the braided strap & 00 gauge positive cables.

So, in addition to it being a well made battery, doing everything else right probably helped this battery to make it 8 years & 6 months!

It finally refused to turn the 1951 over in September 2008, so I replaced it w/ a new one. Another Deka, model 901MF; cost w/ exchange was $69.

50 Tips

Bryan,

What everyone else said, AND keep the battery fully charged. Cold weather will ruin a discharged battery as fast as anything. Welcome to the board!

JK

(quoted from post at 15:28:36 10/28/09) I'd try to make the 6V work. I have a '53 Jubilee that was coverted to 12V by a previous owner. Right now it works fine but what a jumble of wiring / changes that have been done over the years.
The previous responses to your post come from experienced owners who have been working on these tractors for years. Follow their advice and you'll be fine.
Tim

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So you have problems with 6V and gonna pizz good money away on more weak ase 6V chit,,, I spec you made the 6V nuts happy,,, I take it you are going to have to spend money so better your tractor with a 12V set up,,,, a Jub and 12vs are the EZ ones to convert,,, no one told ya that did they.

I make my living fix'n,,, I don't have to kiss arse to push my wares,,, I also have to warranty my work,,, If it were mine it would B 12v and never look back.

some of my 6V buddies have issues with 12Vs,,, dunno why less thangs have changed and no one told me,,, I bet money it will run both ways,,,I believe 12v does a rite good job,,, if not we are all in trouble.

Folks that dumped their 6V with a proper work'n 12v system are some of the happy's tractor folks you will ever meet,,, folks that have never experience it will never know the difference.

With any conversion it depends on the condition of the other systems,,, neither 6 are 12V werk good when other systems need maintenance tho 12v is more lenient to other systems in poor condition.

Most folks that ask the 6/12 question don't understand either system,,, that leaves me and my 6V nutty buddies to hash it out :lol:

(quoted from post at 09:39:47 10/28/09) There is so much stuff out there I am having a hard time wading through all of it trying to find what I need! HELP!

My '53 GJ has its original 6 volt system on it and it has given me grief over the years, not wanting to start, dead battery, etc.

I'd like to change this over to 12v and thought I saw a "kit" one time that included everything necessary to do this job. Can this kit still be had? Can someone point me to it?!

Thanks for any and all help!

Bryan

Click to expand...

I have a Jubilee which I converted to 12 volt over a year ago. Runs great. No problems. Love it.
Okay now. That being said. When I converted the 6 volt system was working flawlessly. Started on the first touch of starter button. Ran strong.
I didn't convert to "fix problems"
My situation was that I now do a lot of night time snowplowing and wanted strong 12 volt lights and a system that I could easily jump start from other 12 volt vehicles. I also added a 12 volt wench for firewood logging. I personally think a 12 volt system is a better and more modern system. However it is not a cure-all for a problem 6 volt system

Hobo nailed it...

>>>12v is more lenient to other systems in poor condition<<<

Period

Keep both systems healthy and both systems will serve you fine.
Let em both get a little sick...and the 12V will tolerate it better.

Tim

'42 Ford 2N, #9N103775 (Orig 6V)
'49 Farmall Cub, #98040 (Magneto & Crank)
'53 Ford NAA Jubilee, #NAA-56293 (Orig 6V)
'64 Minneapolis Moline Jetstar, 3 #28301626 (Orig 12V)
nnalert Tractor

I agree with JW.I too wanted the better lights and the winch and also can run other stuff that is 12 volt.Its hard to find 6 volt acessories..

HEY JW. TELL HOY U MOUNTED THE WINCH ON TRACTOR. THREEPOINT HOOKUP OR BUMPER. SEND PICTURES IF U HAVE ANY THANKS. I HAVE A 53 GJ ALSO. THANKS AGAIN

(quoted from post at 18:59:33 10/28/09) HEY JW. TELL HOY U MOUNTED THE WINCH ON TRACTOR. THREEPOINT HOOKUP OR BUMPER. SEND PICTURES IF U HAVE ANY THANKS. I HAVE A 53 GJ ALSO. THANKS AGAIN

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No pictures. Mounted on front.
I have a FASCO medium duty FEL mounted. The frame for the FEL ends abruptly underneath the fan. It has two flat plates which are designed for mounting on other makes of tractor. In this case however they are perfect for my winch. If you are going to use a winch be very careful. Before I got a good feel for it I almost turned the tractor over on two occasions. Now I only hook and pull in a straight direction front wise

(quoted from post at 23:59:33 10/28/09) HEY JW. TELL HOY U MOUNTED THE WINCH ON TRACTOR. THREEPOINT HOOKUP OR BUMPER. SEND PICTURES IF U HAVE ANY THANKS. I HAVE A 53 GJ ALSO. THANKS AGAIN

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My factory 12V 3000 with fasco loader,,, you can see the plate under the bumper he's talk'n about.

also 12V tractors do not have a special crank bolt with provisions for a hand crank,,, that should tell folks sum'n.

Far as I know all 6V ford tractors came from the factor and had a special hand crank'em bolt,,, that should tell folks sum'n

6V nutz tell ya not to use EI ignition cuzz 6V is border line for the EI to work proper,,, ell 6V is border line for a standard ignition system to work,,, hence CLEAN BRIGHT AND TIGHT,,, that should tell folks sum'n.

I have done a case study (makes ya look smart :wink: :wink: ) on my IHC 140,,, I have ran it all year on a 12V battery (charging system disconnected its has a 6V system wire'n and chit but a 12v coil) it has not failed to start and run and do the work I need it to do,,, all on the original charge,,, I challenge someone to do that with a 6V system,,, that should tell folks sum'n

I figger all my 6V nutz buddy friends would make good politicians,,, every now and again I fall off the wagon and save a 6V system,,, not that I like it tho :?

6 are 12 one can make his tractor run,,, don't mater,,, the politician comes out with the 6V nutz,,, bad boy bad boy,,, just don't figger to me,,, they know and can tell ya either way 6 are 12 but have the need to spank folks over the 12v thought...

Slang a 12V battery in it,,, from another vehicle you have around,,, no need to buy a 6v bat till you get it to run with what you have around,,, even a bad 12v bat will run a 6V system,,, isolate the charging system and you are good to go...

The P.O.S. front mount system is what plays a big factor with 6 to 12v conversions with Ford N's,,, with that in the back of most 6v nutzz mind they shed all thoughts of a 12V conversion,,, we talk'n bout a real distributor not a P.O.S. front mount,,, a side mount is EZ to convert

Only the Ford guys have a problem with 12v's,, not sure why

whoops left the pix out

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Glad to see some 12Volt advocates - for the right reasons of course.
If you're feeling frisky (or flush) spring for the EI too. About once every 5-6 years you'll hafta spring for a new battery. Meantimes you just set it and forget it.
Agreed that Ford owners have a fetish about 6V. for some reason.
Like a Stone Age man trying to make it in the Bronze Age world.
It's uncanny.

I cant get my 54 jubilee to charge the battery its 6volt, new battery, ginny checks out ,new regulator. thought save myself trouble by 12v conversion, now not so sure. tried the polorize thing, wil ltry again with the new VR. not sure what else to do

(quoted from post at 22:05:58 11/16/23) I cant get my 54 jubilee to charge the battery its 6volt, new battery, ginny checks out ,new regulator. thought save myself trouble by 12v conversion, now not so sure. tried the polorize thing, wil ltry again with the new VR. not sure what else to do

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ust be sure to polarize correctly or you destroy the VR. Most "procedures" show different ways for A- ckt vs B-ckt systems, but if you stick to jumpering BATT to ARM on either, you will be fine.

(quoted from post at 12:59:30 10/28/09)
I guess the biggest problem I ve always had is that the batteries I ve had for it seem to be junk, plain and simple. Won t hold a charge and / or end up with mostly dead cells in them.

Bryan

Click to expand...

I used to have the same issue. I solved by using a battery maintainer. Have now gone several years without replacing the battery. The maintainer I have is an older version of:

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tend...&amp;sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&amp;psc=1

If you have power in your barn this may be the way to go.

(BTW - my first post on this Forum. I have been an N owner for 20+ years. Not an expert by any means, but have always been able to keep them running)

Chris From CLE

.....ok to polorize i need to turn the key on ,mine is the A type system ...then jumper jinny output to positive ground on the batt, then jumper the VR? walk me through it please