D14 Electrical question

The issue that I see is that the Generator is not original (looks like gm alternator). Also, if someone changed out the alternator to a 12 volt, would the voltage regulator have to have been replaced? Finally, the manuel says positive ground, if the generator were switched out to 12 volt, would the system still be positive ground?

How do I determine the voltage requirement? How do I determine the grounding polarity?

Thanks for the help

If you connect a 12 volt battery with the wrong polarity (switch the posts), there is a possibility of wrecking the alternator. Your description is most probably a system that is negative ground. The main clues are the ground is hooked to the smaller post of the battery and you have an alternator. The battery post is absolute data. The alternator is confirming data.

I think the tractor was originally a 6 volt, so will the 12 volt system damage the starter?

Thanks for all the help.

12 volts will not have any bad effects on the starter. The light bulbs will need to be changed to 12 volt.

Yes, the tractor was originally 6 volt. I still have my D-14 running on 6 volt. All but 3 of my 16 tractors were originally 6 volt. But only 2 are still 6 volt - the rest are 12 volt. 6 volt systems simply draw twice as much (or more) current to start the tractor and the engine tends to turn over more slowly. A 12 volt battery recharges more quickly after starting and will last longer because its duty cycle is shorter (faster starts).

Since the conversion has been done, I'd stick with 12 volt.

If there is a 6 volt battery in the tractor (will only have 3 cells instead of 6 with a 12 volt), send me an email. That will call for more connoitering.

Regards,

Tim