12 volt conversion kit for Ferguson TO 30

I have a Ferguson TO 30 I bought and it has a 6 volt system. I purchased the 12 volt conversion kit through "Yesterday's Tractor" and I have some questions. I'm not a mechanic other than maintenance. I have questions about the work. Like why did the kit not come with a 12 volt voltage regulator? etc. I'm looking for some help from someone in the Seattle/Tacoma, Washington area.
Thanks for reading this.

Most kits use a Delco alternator with the regulator in the alternator

Thanks

Very easy to wire up if you have the diagram. No Regulators with an Alternator, they are self-contained. Email if you need help with it..John
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Certainly true with the 12 volt kits they sell on this Website, but plenty of alternators use remote-mounted regulators (Lucas, Hitachi, Motorola, Balmar, Delco, Leece-Neville, Prestolite, etc.).

As soon as I wrote that I knew someone would write back about the regulators. What you say is quite true BUT it is VERY rare that anyone on here uses anything other than the Delco and most do use a used Delco because its cheaper. If you read the posts on here you will always see Delco mentioned, plus I knew what Alternator he had and I was replying to him.....John

I understand your point, but many on these forums aren't young and/or new to tractors and conversions. 20-30 years ago, these 10SI kits weren't for sale, and many tractors got converted with Delco 10DNs, or some other scrap-yard generator with an external regulator. Or, OEM tractor parts that just about always used external regs.

Yes, I see the Delco 10SIs and 12SIs heavily promoted in kits, I assume because they are cheap. Back in the 70s, same was being done with the Delco 10DN alternators and some Leece-Nevilles that did NOT have internal regulators. We installed many, and many are still around being used.

In fact, the old regulator just went bad on my Ford 641 with a Delco 10DN conversion. Nice thing is - the new external replacements are now full-electronic and not mechanical. But, a new reg cost me $30 and for that price, I oould of just gotten a 10SI to replace it.

I've worked on many tractors with OEM alternators and most had remote mount regulators - either piggy-backed on the alternator or behind the dashboard. Deere used Motorola and Bosch. None had internal regulators.

I figure you already know this, but some people reading these forums do not.

as I said in my last post...I knew as soon as I wrote it that SOMEONE would say something about that regulator thing.....but it was a reply to him......anyone who was unsure would post again and ask for clarification... It is very rarely that the Regulator question is asked now, it used to be but no-one seems to use them anymore.....that is why I didn't even bother mentioning it. When we reply to these questions and queries, just where do you stop with the answers, you say one thing and it will lead you to another thing,there is so much more that could be said in reply but you just have to stop somewhere.

John
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Bought this 1952 TO 30 and trying to figure out what type system it has. Looks like they already had it converted over to 12 volt but the wiring does not look right. Any ideas?

True enough. Nice thing is . . . anybody who reads these forums can pick and choose info as they see fit. That being said, some people still complain about posts being too brief, or too verbose.

In regard to specific questions about regulators for alternators? I've seen many on these forums. One of the most common questions seems to be "where is it?"

Sometimes it's behind the dash, sometimes bolted to the back-outside of the alternator, and sometimes inside.

In regard to the Delco 10SIs, I suspect many on these forums don't know where the regulator actually is - since I rarely hear any mention of using the charge-over-ride port on it (for testing purposes).

Other side of engine view

looks like the typical 1 wire alternator hookup to me from the pictures. looks like they went to the battery side of the safety switch for the charge or output wire. i went to the the battery post but it is the same difference. you do know that for it to start charging you have to rev the engine for a few seconds to get the alternator to start charging. my boat is the same way.

Thanks John. I appreciate any help I can get. I think I found the right source for answers to my questions. All you folks in this forum seem like you guys really know your stuff and take pride in your tractors. I bought my Ferguson with brush hog to mow a portion of my property last spring. I thought about buying a new tractor at that time but always wanted a Ford 8N or 9N like my granfather had. I think I made the right choice with the Ferguson after testing a couple of 9N's and found the Ferguson, to me, having a heavier front end.

Thanks for the reply and info. Did not look like it should be working the way it was wired. Have the whole thing taken apart since that pic was taken. In the process of cleaning, painting and replacing seals and putting it all back together. Will post the pics of the before and afteron here when I get her done.

Wolfwise

I know what you mean about replies being too brief and I have commented on this in the past, I think if anyone doesn't want to go to the trouble of explaining fully then why bother saying anything, it's possible that they don't really know the answer but just need to say something and get their name on the Forum.
I don't think anyone can say that my posts are brief by any stretch of the imagination. I often think that I will run out of room for what I need to say, I try to make sure that I spell it out in as much detail as I can.....if it requires a lot of detail or explanation, I ask them to email me direct and I am able to send the information they need in a lot more detail with pictures as well. For me that is much easier than keep typing out the same thing over and over. I have been involved with Ferguson's since 1955 in a professional capacity, so I have some experience of what will be understood easily and what won't.Most of what we are asked is all repetition anyway. Regarding Alternators, I can't remember the last time I was asked about anything other than the Delco as that is by far the most popular one for the Ferguson conversion. Most who ask questions do not know there is a regulator on an Alternator anyway and think that they only apply to a Generator so why would we mention it if they didn't, that would only cloud the problem if we did and raise a query that doesn't really exist. In this instance he asked and I replied to his question anyone who is interested in a similar query would not rely on the answer to one question, they would do some more research, or would be foolish not to do so.
I respectfully submit this to the court as my defence to the evidence produced by the prosecution and I ask that I be spared a harsh sentence and I offer my sincere apologies to the court for my grave error of judgement.....John

Its a 12v single wire system, if you would like the wiring diagram, just email me and i will send it.
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My "brief" comment was a general one - not meant to relate to your post or any other specic post.

Same sort of argument often goes on about IT repair manuals. I love them for their brevity, while others hate them for lacking all the minute details. But, I used to buy my IT manuals for $3 each, and now they're sometimes over $20.

On the subject of alternators, I've seen or heard many questions posted over the years about the regulators. In part, because it used to be common for people to yank an alternator off a car/truck at the junkyard, and then try to install on a tractor. This "kit" thing is relatively new -when discussed in the context of fixing/upgrading 40-60s farm tractors.

To be specific to Fergusons ?? I've got a TO35 Deluxe and a MF35 sitting behind my shop - one with a Mopar alternator and one with a Motorola (Delcos on neither).

Now, at least in my area (rural dairy farming area), there are no "junk-yards" left where a person can walk in, find an old car/truck, and take parts. And for those "parts recyclers" that do remain in business, they rarely keep anything over 10 years old. So, yeah, things have changed a bit - when it comes to tractor-people and how they repair or upgrade. The parts availability has changed, and so have many of the people doing the work. 20-30 years ago, many people did their own cylinder-head work, magneto work, injection pump work, piston-pin work, etc. Now, seems many just send stuff out to get done.

For myself, I've never even remotely condidered buying any sort of kit. I still have a huge pile of Delco, Bosch, and Hitachi alternators for conversions. I also have a field full of junk cars, trucks, and tractors. I much prefer the Hitachis over the Delcos. More rugged, more compact, and now it seems . . . more common. Easily plucked off a rusty/junked 90s Subaru or Isuzu. Also many brand-new clones around -often sold as "Kubota tractor" or "forklift" alternators. Very rugged and much more compact then a Delco 10SI. And, on some tractors, the physical size is an issue. I also prefer an alternator with ball bearings front and back, which Delco 10SI, 12SI and 17SI series lack. The later Delco CS series does have them.

And now . . . I've created a too-long post. But, nobody has to read it.

I know where to send anyone who wants an Alternator now.....John

hello every one- i'm not say any thing bad about any article, all good stuff and ideas.i have a TO-20, i had my local gen shop check and rebuild my 6-v starter and check gen.& a new starter silonid. [because 6-v starters are built stronger than 12-v] a good batt, it start up with in 3-turns, it's not broke, i'm not touching it. ha-ha-ha

Just to add my 2 cents, there are clones of the Delco 10si available. Totally alike except they don"t have the words Delco Remy on the casting.
Some are made in China, some might USA made.

Just to add my 2 cents, there are clones of the Delco 10si available. Totally alike except they don"t have the words Delco Remy on the casting.
Some are made in China, some might USA made.