If I were restoring some thing that was 6 volt I can understand completely why I would want to keep it that way but if your not restoring a tractor why wouldn't you convert to an alternator. For around 50/60 bucks you can convert to an alternator. That does away with the generator and voltage regulator. I remember driving cars back in the early 50s that had 6 volt systems. Zero weather they didn't work to well. In 55 they went to the 12 volt generator. A big improvement. Don't know when they went to an alternator but that was an improvement to the charging system. So to me switching over to a 12 volt makes a lot of sense. Just my 3 cents worth
- Thread starter pinball
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Janicholson
Well-known Member
I believe you are correct. Unless the tractor is a restoration in the foundational sense (factory with possible period era accessories) we almost all use alternators. Jim
gene bender
Well-known Member
50-60 wont buy a battery n mount ,belt rewire and lites ect there is some expense then doing it correct pulley speed ect.
I just bought an alternator for my 50 8n for $50 bucks. Installed it and all is fine. Used existing pulley and belt. Probably wont hook my lights up anyway. To old to drive after dark, might get occosted or something. On my 48 it will be different as I have to move it to the other side. So it may cost a little more. Guess it depends on what you have on how much it will cost but the alternator itself can be bought for around 50 bucks.
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
The first alternators I remember seeing were in '63. They were externally regulated. Some 10 years later Ford and Chrysler went to electronic regulators, Delco went with internal regulators.
The only drawback to converting to 12v, other than loss of originality, some have starter and flywheel gear problems. I say "some" because most seem to work great for many years, others have problems. Depends on the starter design, how often it is started, and if it's an easy starter.
The only drawback to converting to 12v, other than loss of originality, some have starter and flywheel gear problems. I say "some" because most seem to work great for many years, others have problems. Depends on the starter design, how often it is started, and if it's an easy starter.
notjustair
Well-known Member
My 58 GMC grain truck is factory 12 volt with a generator. It's all original but the voltage regulator is starting to cut in and out funny. It's getting an alternator when I have the time.
1974 (mid year) is when air cooled VWs went to alternators. 12 volt generators started on them in 1967.
1974 (mid year) is when air cooled VWs went to alternators. 12 volt generators started on them in 1967.
BarryfromIA
Well-known Member
The alternator has a higher output of amps therefore charging the battery quicker. This works well because most older tractors do not run for long long enough for a generator to fully charge the battery.
I've converted several of my 'old' 6v Farmalls to 12v. Not so much for easier starting,but to use 12v lights,sprayer/fertilizer pumps......Never had a starter issue.I use a one wire Delco. Completely strip the old dilapidated/wornout harness and completely rewire.Easy,simple and trouble free.
Your first post mentions two different things, switching to an alternator and changing the tractor to 12 volt. You can do either one or both at the same time. There are alternators that will be 6 volt as well as 12 volt alternators. You can even get a 6 volt, positive ground alternator so you don't have to change anything but the alternator.
Switching to 12 volts might be accomplished by using a different regulator and changing out the battery and coil or adding a ballast resistor in front of the 6 volt coil, or you can go all the way with battery, alternator, wiring, and coil.
Switching to 12 volts might be accomplished by using a different regulator and changing out the battery and coil or adding a ballast resistor in front of the 6 volt coil, or you can go all the way with battery, alternator, wiring, and coil.
Moonlite37
Well-known Member
The conversion cost me very little. I made the conversion when the 6 volt was already dead. No additional cost for a battery. Salvage yard a good Delco alternator 15 dollars if the owner who is a friend is around or 20 dollars if other customers. A clearance light free. make my own bracket and but a belt for ten dollars or less. Total cost $25. Give away the old generator. Did I say I ma stingy? Best reason to go to 12 volt is because batteries from most vehicles are interchangeable,
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
pinbal,
Both my Farmall C and Jubilee were converted to 12v before I got them. I will never convert back to 6v. Not everyone will agree with me on what I'm about to post. I can hear it now, mine has worked fine using a 6v starter, you don't need to do it. After shearing off 2 starter drives on each tractor when it got cold and chipping off starter teeth on flywheel, I got a 12v starter for the jubilee, but couldn't find one for the Farmall C. So I did the next best thing, installed a 180 CCA lawn mower battery in Farmall. Been using it for a few years now and works great in winter too. My 2 cents, convert the starter too.
Both my Farmall C and Jubilee were converted to 12v before I got them. I will never convert back to 6v. Not everyone will agree with me on what I'm about to post. I can hear it now, mine has worked fine using a 6v starter, you don't need to do it. After shearing off 2 starter drives on each tractor when it got cold and chipping off starter teeth on flywheel, I got a 12v starter for the jubilee, but couldn't find one for the Farmall C. So I did the next best thing, installed a 180 CCA lawn mower battery in Farmall. Been using it for a few years now and works great in winter too. My 2 cents, convert the starter too.
for the right reasons its a good thing, when i say that my jubilee was half converted when i bought it so i completed it 20 years ago, i use this tractor as a work tractor and having 12 volt lites helps with night mowing, when i have to, also it allows the use of trailer brakes if im pulling one large enough to need more brake than the old ford has, ive got 6 volt tractors too, and they start well even cold, but they do require more work to keep everything clean bright and tight so they will start also need to use 0 or 1 gauge battery cables, 6 v gets a bad rap when somebody goes down tothe parts store to get battery cables and they sell him those chinese 4 ga cables that have 1/4 inch of plastic on them so they look like 1 gauge cables, then those 4 gauge wont carry the amps a 6volt needs to start and the battery gets blamed , h problem is with people who convert to 12 volts thinking to solve an existing electrical problem, it may do it for awhile then it will get worse and they'll be in the same spot as before, when they should have spent time tracking down whats wrong with the original system first, if doing a full restoration to a show tractor 6 v is a must if the unit came as 6volt new
Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
If you want to start a horrendous battle make this post on the Ford N board. 
I agree with you though.
What voltage is your boat, 4 wheeler, camper, daily driver, wife's car, lawn mower, motorcycle or snowmobile?
Why have an oddball 6V that can't jump or be jumped by anything else?
I agree with you though.
What voltage is your boat, 4 wheeler, camper, daily driver, wife's car, lawn mower, motorcycle or snowmobile?
Why have an oddball 6V that can't jump or be jumped by anything else?
M-MAN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Bostic, NC
For a worker 12v with a three wire Delco alt is the way to go. There's nothing more reliable. Don't mind 12v genny's but they aren't as reliable. I'm still using one on my Ford 851D. Picked up a used alt for it 20 years ago, showed it to the old girl and said if you don't behave I'm gonna change you to an alt. lol She behaved until last summer so I figured I'd give her another chance and replaced the vr. Don't have a clue where I put the alt I threatened her with.
John Deere D
Well-known Member
I removed all of the charging circuit (wires and components ) on my Massey Ferguson MF 35 X 3 cylinder Diesel, Installed a one wire Alternator. The system works perfect. If I was to share any fabricating info,be sure to MOUNT the ALTENATOR high on the ENGINE block.The front axel pivots,(vertical movement when crossing or dropping into fresh ploughed soil)you do NOT what to see the axel come in contact with the Alternator.
Bob...
Bob...
dr sportster
Well-known Member
You can jump a 6 volt with a 12 volt battery.
Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
Some Folks call that a stealth conversion.
But it does not give you the simplicity of an alternator nor it's stunning reliability.
But it does not give you the simplicity of an alternator nor it's stunning reliability.
(quoted from post at 07:39:11 01/24/16) If you want to start a horrendous battle make this post on the Ford N board.
I agree with you though.
What voltage is your boat, 4 wheeler, camper, daily driver, wife's car, lawn mower, motorcycle or snowmobile?
Why have an oddball 6V that can't jump or be jumped by anything else?
True- you can't jump direct to the BATTERY but you can jump direct to the STARTER.
Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
I knew someone would call me on that.
But how many people who don't read these boards know how to do it without a battery blow up or getting themselves run over jumping onto the starter?
And you can't jump your Sportster with a 6V tractor.
But how many people who don't read these boards know how to do it without a battery blow up or getting themselves run over jumping onto the starter?
And you can't jump your Sportster with a 6V tractor.
dr sportster
Well-known Member
You do have to pay attention with the positive grounds and all.
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