mine works fine...

The six volt electrical system that was factory installed back in 1946 is still working great in my 2N. You can still buy lights, gauges, and other six volt components that are compatibale for ordinal factory six volt systems. I guess my question is why does anyone want to fix what isn't broken? I'm sure I'll catch hell for this, I see so many people who attempt to convert to twelve volt that can't make it work. My tractor starts the first time, every time. I have no intention of changing that.
 
That's a long standing debate here on the forum Steve.
I have both, so you won't catch hell from me.

A 6V system works fine to start an engine that's in good shape.
Some like to stay with the original 6V system for originality.
They can be slow to crank in northern winter time though.

Many people convert to spin the engine faster to compensate
for low compression that causes hard starting at the slower
rotation speeds of a 6V system. That's a band-aid.

Here are some of the legitimate reasons I've heard for converting to 12V.

Using 12V attachments such as heaters, flashers/lights on a
towed trailer/wagon etc. Or they just like the brighter lights.
LED lights are a better possibility with 12V systems too.

Then there is the ability to swap batteries around between vehicles
or use any vehicle to jump start another without special procedures.

My main reason for converting mine is the difficulty finding a
quality 6V regulator. The last time I tried I bought three to get
one good one. At that price, it was cheaper to convert to 12V.
I won't do that again. If I have a bad regulator on any tractor
that is not a trailer queen I'll convert it to 12V and save the $$
 
if your 2N sits outside exposed to the elements you are quite lucky to have a "starts first time every time machine". 6V or 12V.
 
(quoted from post at 23:59:44 08/15/16) if your 2N sits outside exposed to the elements you are quite lucky to have a "starts first time every time machine". 6V or 12V.
ell, if I couldn't build a tractor shed, I'd knock a hole in living room wall so I could put mine inside!
 
(quoted from post at 00:03:13 08/16/16)
(quoted from post at 23:59:44 08/15/16) if your 2N sits outside exposed to the elements you are quite lucky to have a "starts first time every time machine". 6V or 12V.
ell, if I couldn't build a tractor shed, I'd knock a hole in living room wall so I could put mine inside!
That reminds me of this picture. I think you posted it Jesse.
Titled it "wife griped" or similar. I laughed so hard I kept it.

39335.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 00:13:56 08/16/16)
(quoted from post at 00:03:13 08/16/16)
(quoted from post at 23:59:44 08/15/16) if your 2N sits outside exposed to the elements you are quite lucky to have a "starts first time every time machine". 6V or 12V.
ell, if I couldn't build a tractor shed, I'd knock a hole in living room wall so I could put mine inside!
That reminds me of this picture. I think you posted it Jesse.
Titled it "wife griped" or similar. I laughed so hard I kept it.

39335.jpg
ell, it is true......had double doors on A-frame so we could put the tractor inside before building a tractor shed.
 
And I think Catholicism is the One True
Religion and all Protestants are going to
hell.
See how easy that is?
You are a new user and maybe haven't seen
the Thousands - maybe Tens of Thousands - of
posts on this subject. Many of them caused
the bitterest fighting amongst otherwise
good, helpful people here.
So most of us have decided to leave the
editorials for the local newspaper and just
help those who ask for it - be it 6V or 12.
 
I also have both. My 960 & 881 were 12 volt when I got them, my Jube is still 6 & will probably stay that way. I have also rebuilt & sold several 2/8/9Ns & converted all to 12 volt. I figure if I am selling them as workers in Iowa winters they should be easier for "first timers" to start!
 
That picture brings back memories of great times. The time between college and getting married. I lived up near the Canadian border in North Central Mt. Great place for a working man, but pretty hard on pickup trucks and women.
 
My Jubilee Ford was converted to 12 volt before I bought it. Not having to mess with a voltage regulator and the simplicity of a one wire alternator are nice.

From my experience with GMC and Chevy trucks prior to the 12 volt changeover in 1955, many complaints about slow cranking are due to the use of modern 12 volt battery cables (4 gauge and 6 gauge wire) in a 6 volt system. By using 6 volt cables (00 wire available at farm stores and truck specialty shops), the slow cranking would be cured. My 1950 GMC with 270 cid inline 6 with 6 volt system starts just fine even when temps are below 15*. Same with the 1954 GMC wrecker with a 248 inline 6. Buy bigger cables and the 6 volt battery will work fine!
 
(quoted from post at 23:11:36 08/15/16) The six volt electrical system that was factory installed back in 1946 is still working great in my 2N. You can still buy lights, gauges, and other six volt components that are compatibale for ordinal factory six volt systems. I guess my question is why does anyone want to fix what isn't broken? I'm sure I'll catch hell for this, I see so many people who attempt to convert to twelve volt that can't make it work. My tractor starts the first time, every time. I have no intention of changing that.

I have a 1940 9N that is very correct with a few exceptions like the 12V alternator. I am converting mine back to 6V. There is no reason to change over to 12V unless you have a reason. If you don't have any of the needs other people listed as reasons to change to 12V, don't.
 
While my N isn't OEM by any stretch, it will be a cold day in ell before I hang one of those aluminum "goiters" on the side of it.
 

"Everything Royse said , especially moving batteries around....."

same here. my WD had already been converted to 12 volts when i got it. everything here can share batteries - ya, it's a socialist thing :lol: - starting, of course, with the mower.

BylCMef.jpg
 
" it will be a cold day in ell before I hang one of those aluminum "goiters" on the side of it"

Your generator can be converted to 12V to maintain the aesthetics if desired.
TOH just did that with his not too long ago, he posted it on the forum.

There are many possibilities and methods of doing things.
I personally don't mind the 6V systems on most of mine because
most of mine do not get used in the winter here in Michigan.

None of my Farmalls are 12V, they are all original 6V.
Or hand crank. (those batteries are getting weak!)
They start absolutely fine. As does my 6V 9N. Speaking of, here's
a [b:07da725982]15 second[/b:07da725982] clip of it starting for the first time that day.
I have 12V tractors to run attachments and this one has a cutout
instead of a pricey regulator so I haven't converted it. No need.
 

"It will be a cold day in ell before I hang
one of those aluminum "goiters" on the side
of it"

Yeah, nothing wrong with wanting to keep
them original. Everyone has different tastes
and aesthetics.
Like the fellow who goes the 'all original'
route and then paints a 9/2N red.
Wink
 
Royse said: " Personally I don't mind the 6 volt systems on most of mine because most of mine do not get used in the winter here in Michigan"

First of all, thanks for the information on the generator make-over, I thought it was still in the testing stage?

Living off the southeast coast of Lake Michigan we get a LOT of snow here. I've been plowing it for 21 years with the same 6V 8N. Always shedded, no coolant heater, block heater, or oil heater. Just a battery tender. It always starts, above or below zero. I don't need 12 volts for anything.
 
I'm not trying to convince you one way or the other PatrickB.
As I said, I have both and as that clip shows, my 6V's start fine.
The generator conversion is an option for those who have a
desire for 12V yet want to maintain the original look.
You probably get more snow right off the lake than I do here.
Temperature wise probably close unless the water tempers that
some for you down there.
 
(quoted from post at 20:11:36 08/15/16) The six volt electrical system that was factory installed back in 1946 is still working great in my 2N. You can still buy lights, gauges, and other six volt components that are compatibale for ordinal factory six volt systems. I guess my question is why does anyone want to fix what isn't broken? I'm sure I'll catch hell for this, I see so many people who attempt to convert to twelve volt that can't make it work. My tractor starts the first time, every time. I have no intention of changing that.

That question starts arguments every time. I've converted everything I own to 12 volt and I like the 3 wire conversion. If you mess up the one wire you need to step away from the tool box with your hands in the air!

My reasons for converting, 2 8N's and a Farmall M are MN cold weather starting. I've never seen a 6 volt system start reliably at -20 or 30 regardless of batter cable size, condition of the engine, how much of a charge was in the battery. Heck people up here talked about sliding a pan of coal under a car, truck or tractor engine here for years, even on new ones. All 3 of my tractors will start at -20 no problem.

So winter starting in extreme conditions.

Compatibility with everything else.

The ridiculous price of a good quality 6 volt battery.

Finding reliable voltage regulators today.

Paying more for a battery charger that will charge 6 volt.

Overall reliability of the charging system.

EI conversions are more forgiving in 12 volt than 6 (don't have to mess with that front mount dizzy!!!)

Reasons I can think of for keeping it 6 volt:

Show tractor.

So in my book 12 volt looks real good. Others prefer 6 and they can have it. If they live near me I'll let em borrow a 12 volt one when that ole 6 volt won't start at -20 and they have snow to move. Me? I'll be on the big tractor with the 8' blower and heated cab......... :lol:

Rick
 

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