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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum

Should I cange over to 12 volt?

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Garry

11-06-2003 11:27:13

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I have a one owner (other than myself) IH 240 utility with loader that I'm about to begain working on. It is a 6 volt system with generator. I'm debating on leaving it original 6 volt system but am having second thoughts with the loader. The tractor will be difficult to get started if the battery is weak, because I won't be able to pull start and cannot jump off the 6 volt. Just wanting to get some other thoughts on the matter. Assuming it will cost the same to repair or convert what would you do. I do not plan to do a complete restoration at this time.

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fred

11-07-2003 12:02:51

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

I converted my super m to 12 volt last year after spending a pretty fair amount of money on the old 6 volt system. I used the instructions from this site & it was easy. For the first time since I have owned the tractor, it starts reliably. It busts right off everytime. If you dont want to mess with it anymore convert to 12v.

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Slowpoke

11-07-2003 00:13:32

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

Garry, I have two questions.
Can you tell me the location of the "FULL' and "ADD" marks and length of the dip stick on your 240U? Mine was stolen and I need to make one to check the oil level.
Also, is a heavy wire or solid bar used to connect the 6v starter solenoid terminal to the starter field coils? Someone put a #10 stranded wire on my 240U. Needless to say, it got fried from the current heating it during starting.
The wire went from the solenoid terminal thru a square, rubber lined hole in the end of the case.
Thanks for the help.
Email is OK.

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Paul

11-06-2003 21:53:55

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

If the generator works, just get a high amp battery and leave it alone, in my opinion.
If somehow you're going to need 12 volt--as for a winch--then switch it over, as the generator will definitely cost alot more than an alternator.

They are fun, aren't they?

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scotc

11-06-2003 19:55:14

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

you can use my idea, borrow a 12v battery from something, if it charges, get a ballast resistor and wire it in ahead of the coil, did it with my SM and it starts, runs, charges good. think I found out why I ate 6v batteries though, after switching to 12 volts I am still pushing 20-25 amps into the batt., and all I need is a battery and to pull the resistor to go back to 6. Also you could get a set of remote jumpstart posts and mount them somewhere convenient, jumpstarting a 6v with a 12 won't hurt it as long as you don't leave the cables hooked for long. and your starter wont mind the extra juice, either.

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J.K.H. In S.D.

11-06-2003 17:43:31

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

What Steve W. Said

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Hugh MacKay

11-06-2003 16:51:53

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

Garry: I have three tractors I converted to alternator charging; a Super A, 130 and a 140. The Super A is 6 volt. The other two are 12 volt. The Super A and 130 were done 10 plus years ago. The Super A has the battery and alternator that I put in at that time and yes still startng well. The 130 is on it's 3rd battery and 2nd alternator. The 140 was just done last spring and the only reason the 130 and 140 are 12 volt, is to run a couple of electric motors I have. My Super A will start quicker and better on a cold Canadian winter morning than the 130 will. This summer I have been quite busy so didn't have much time to use tractors. Two weeks ago I realized it had been 2 months since I had any of them going. Super A took about 3 turns of starter and it was going. The other two took a fair bit of cranking on starter.

The beauty of the 6 volt alternator is you remove the generator and regulator, and add a GM Delco with built in regulator. Change the tractor to negative ground. Since you have one wire in harness not needed you can use that one to excite alternator. I use a starter type push button switch at dash for this. For a pulley on the alternator I use the double pulley from a V8 Olds or Buick from the 70s. You can use either pulley thus giving a bit more leaway on alternator mounting. If you have any questions my e mail is available. I can give you a source for 6 volt alternator. As others have said big wires are still very important. 1 guage, I find the best place to get them is heavy truck repair shops, they can also supply soldered on ends. It is what they use on big diesels.

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RayP(MI)

11-06-2003 15:42:39

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

I changed over my 200 to 12 volt. Main reason, the cost of replacing 6 volt lighting system. I also wanted to add flashing lights for nightitme operation, on the roads. New 6 volt bulbs were not available. Sealed beam 12 volt bulbs in rubber were only about $5 each. Alternator another $30 or so at a back yard rebuild shop. Put a new coil in, and a few feet of hookup wires, and I was in business for less than $60. I did not include battery, as I needed a new one anyway. I know the purists are gagging right about now, but my tractor is a worker, not a show girl. If I need 12 volt power for jumpstarting, etc., this tractor is ready. I can power additional lights, and 12 volt equipment. Never started better, or run better.

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CityBoy

11-06-2003 14:33:10

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

Everyone makes good points. I'm in Pete's corner on this issue. Plenty of resources on this site and others that explain how to do it. It's not difficult nor does it cost an arm and a leg to do. If you do it then keep old 6 volt parts as Pete suggested. One other suggestion, and I may have missed this in Pete's post, if you make the switch then carefully document how everything is wired right now as 6 volt so if you decide to go back to 6 volt it'll be a lot easier.

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Ken

11-06-2003 14:27:50

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

I have been using my 240u for years with the original 6 volt system and now the generator is tired and also this winter, for the first time, I am going to plow with it. I just finished changing over to 12 volts. It was easy and now it starts first time every time. If you are going to use it every day, by all means do the switch.

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Catskill Pete

11-06-2003 14:17:12

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

It depends on what you are using it for. If you want to do a nice restoration then keep it 6 volt. IF you you are going to be working it on a daily basis by all means convert it. I have a 340 used almost every day with a loader, and if you are using the loader much with that small a tractor, you are likely going to be stalling it on a repeated basis. The 6 volt generator just isn't capable of charging fast enough to keep up with repeated starts. I converted mine to 12 volt and alternator, one my smarter decisions. But by the same token I hung on to the 6 volt stuff in case I want to do a restoration someday.

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Red Dave

11-06-2003 12:07:15

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

I'm with Steve W one this one. The key to a working 6 volt system is big cables & good solid connections.

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Steve W

11-06-2003 11:46:28

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Re: Should I cange over to 12 volt? in reply to Garry, 11-06-2003 11:27:13

My opinion is that an original unmolested tractor is always worth more than a modified one. With the correct 1 guage cables, and everything clean, bright and tight, a 6V system works just fine. If you need to jump it, just jumo it from 12V right to the starter.

About the only time I would convert to 12V is if I needed to power somehting from 12V, like a sprayer.

Take Care
Steve

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