6 or 8 volt on my Ferguson TO 30

K.Campbell · Nov 14, 2018

Hi all, well it's nearly time to replace my old battery on the Ferguson. My old one is getting tired, anyhow,..is there any issues with replacing the 6 volt battery with an 8? I've read somewhere that it works like a charm, but have had no experience doing it myself..thanks!

Steve@Advance · Nov 14, 2018

Stick with the 6 volt, or convert it to 12v and an alternator.

The 6 volt will work fine as long as everything else is good.

If you go with the 8 volt, it will be necessary to adjust the regulator to keep the battery up to charge, otherwise you will have a partially discharged 8 volt serving no advantage.

Another disadvantage, the market for 8v batteries is so limited, chances are you will get a battery that's been on the shelf a long time.

K.Campbell · Nov 14, 2018

Good call... also I called about an 8 volt battery and it was 159$ vs the 6 volt being 95$... Napa
What all is involved with doing a 12 volt conversion? Can I stick with the positive ground if I do it?
Thanks

rvirgil_KS · Nov 14, 2018

"What all is involved with doing a 12 volt conversion? Can I stick with the positive ground if I do it?"

Unless specially modified an alternator must be negative ground.

Get a Delco internal regulated 3 wire alternator and mount it. Connect #2 edge pin to output of alternator. BAT connection off of old regulator goes to output of alternator. #1 edge pin through a diode, resistor, or indicator lamp to output of switch.

Replace coil with direct 12 volt no resistor required coil such as NAPA IC14SB or equivalent.

If old regulator had L terminal connect it to output of alternator.

To change to negative ground connect negative terminal on coil to side of distributor, reverse ammeter connections and install battery negative ground. Starter will still turn the same way.

old · Nov 14, 2018

8 volt batteries are a band aid fix at best plus how do you charge a 8 volt battery?? Your generator will maybe at best charge it to 7 volts.

As for going to 12 volts one need to install and alternator and 99% of them have to be - ground which is just fine with your tractor you just need to switch the wires on the coil and add a ballast resister and then wire it up which is also easy. I use an alternator made for a 1980 Chevy pickup no power any thing no A/C. Wire form big post need to be 10 gauge and goes to load side of amp gauge which also has the be switched as for wire on it. The 2 wire plug you buy when you get the alternator. The #1 wire goes to the ignition switch hot side when on and install a diode or resister so you can shut it off. #2 wire on the plug goes to the charge stud

Bruce(OR) · Nov 15, 2018

You have read correctly.
The 8V battery is suppose to crank nearly as fast as the 12V battery and will suffice is daily operation. However it does require being
charged up on a regular basis to keep it at 8V fast crank operation. So, if you do go the 8V route, you might also look into a m float
charger for the 8V. The only other problem you might find is now the voltage at the points is also higher and might shorten their life a bit.
You can figure this out by taking a voltage reading on the points side of the coil as is. Then after your 8V conversion, take another
reading. If higher, add an aftermarket resistor accordingly to lower the voltage accordingly.
Sounds like more trouble that it is worth, but easy enough to do.

K.Campbell · Nov 15, 2018

thanks guys... yes it does sound like it would be more trouble than what it’s worth as well as more money for hardly any gain.... I’ll look at the 12 volt system... or simply put a new 6 volt battery in and call it a day .

Tom H. · Nov 15, 2018

All the responses are good and correct, the 8 volt batteries are less common the 6 or 12. My tractor supply store usually has only one or two at
a time. That being said, I converted to 8 volts about 10 years ago on my TO30 and added a single wire positive ground alternator. Great
cranking and the lights run brighter. If you do a search for 8 volt alternator it will show up. About $55 and you need to add the alternator kit here
for mounting.

Richard L · Nov 15, 2018

Besides what has already been mentioned (if changing from 6 to 12 volt) if you have lights all the bulbs must be replaced with 12 volt bulbs.

K.Campbell · Nov 22, 2018

I had anticipated changing the light bulbs...I may not even change it over at all, but was seriously thinking about it.

K.Campbell · Nov 23, 2018

Ok so I am going to the the plunge on the 12 volt system as well as going with electronic ignition. It doesn't seem to awfully labor intense nor too complicated...I'll order from this website when I'm ready...my old Ferguson will love it I'm sure!

6 or 8 volt on my Ferguson TO 30

K.Campbell

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Steve@Advance

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old

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