Generator options

Here are some things you may want to think about. 1) Take your time and if you have the wire and can do a neat clean installation, wire it up yourself. 2) 12 volts is easier to jump off when the battery is dead and is harder on a starter than 6 volts over a long period of time. 3) If you wire it yourself, you will learn more about the tractor and also learn that you need to address the fuel sender and guage voltage as well. 4) Make sure your going to use the tractor enough to recharge what you've taken out of the battery regardless of the voltage. My two cents...

Scott

John T

John T

All that said I also know how much money can be saved by using parts common to sevral machines which was what I was pointing toward in my previous posting. What if Deere had used a part already in service for the pony putting it on 12V and using the same part number generator with same head lamps? Perhaps they could have saved a few dollars? However, they did save a few dollars by cutting it by one battery.

Who knows??? I shouldnt speculate and it doesn't matter either way. It came out on 6V... not on 12V, so I'm sure there was some good reason at the time. Maybe they had a deal with delco for 50,000 6V starters? See there I go speculating again. LOL

So John T.. I am working here in south TX (Laredo). I would love to look you up when you come down for the winter to take you and yours out to lunch sometime. Shoot me a line if you get a chance.

1) I have a 720 with a pony that I am making 12 volt front to back. My question is, can my 6 volt genny be taken to a shop and easily converted to 12 volt.

YES Most old fashioned Mom n Pop Genny repair shops (if any exist in your area) can easily convert your exisitng genny to 12 volts NOT a problem. HOWEVER it may well be cheaper to either buy a rebuilt 12 volt genny or take one (12 volt) from a salvage yard and have it refurbished. Kenneth down at Classic Generators in Texas can do it if no one around you can.

IMPORTANT NOTE you want to get a 2 brush genny versus the 3 brush models that used cutout relays in many older model tractors

2) is there any reason a 12 volt genny off say a 3020/4020 wouldn"t work? I have found brand new 12 volt gennys online for the gas tractors for $85, they appear similiar with the top mounted curved regulator. Or for that matter is there any reason why a genny from a IH or Oliver would not bolt right on and work?

Several Delco 12 volt gennys will work REGARDLESS of what brand tractor they came from so long as they are Class A systems, which most except for some Ford were. AGAIN get a 2 brush Class A genny instead of a 3 brush..... ..

3) Looking for opinions on the cheapest easiest way to get my battery charging. Oh and not interested in an alternator on this tractor. Thanks

If youre simply having a problem keeping the battery charged, WHY NOT REPAIR THE SYSTEM AND KEEP IT AT 6 VOLTS????? ??? Theres no problem cranking that little pony motor over with a 6 volt system, so the only advanatge I see to convert is cuz you may want slightly better lights??? Also 12 volts on that 6 volt cranking motor (unless you also have it converted to 12) will really cause a harsh sudden extra high torque kick in on the starter drive mechanism and gear teeth. Heck even at cold temps with any decent battery at all those 6 volt systems cranked the pony motor plenty fasttttt ttt to start it.

CAUTION On original pony systems there was an external ballast resistor whiched dropped the 6 volt batetry voltage to down around 4.5 to 5 or so for the coils in those Wico pony distributors sooooo oo if you convert to 12 volts YOU MUST use external ballast to reduce the input voltage to the distributor to around that same level or risk burning up those 2 expensive coils. NOTE many are no longer dropping the voltage but using the full 6 volt battery voltage on the newer improved current after market pony coils and NOT having any problems but thats your choice..... Im saying all this to let you know on the older original coils and the original system there was a ballast used to reduce the distributor input voltage to around 4.5 to 5 volts SO BE CAREFUL AND TAKE STEPS SO YOU DONT BURN UP THOSE 2 EXPENSIVE COILS

IF YOU STILL INSIST ON CONVERTING FOLLOW THE ABOVE (maybe even convert the starter to 12 if the kick in torque is too hard on starter drives) but if you wanna troubleshoot n repair the exisitng 6 votl charging system and avoid ballast or coil problems, post back and I will post my Troubleshooting Procedure for Non Charging.....

PS I think alternators (even if they charge better) look so out of place and dorky especially on a 6 volt pony system grrrrr rrr lol While 12 volt conversion is done fairly often on 6 volt gas tractors, Ive not seen it done on 6 volt pony systems cuz its not required to make those ponys start i.e. 6 is plenty to crank them over

John T

I don't have as to what "off-the shelf" resitor to use, but I'm sure someone will chime in with that. I have used 2 automotive ballast resistors IN SERIES.

2.) Delco generators are VERY interchangeable, and finding a 12-Volt unit that fits should be NO problem. If needed, you can swap your old pulley to the replacement generator.

3.) If you are REALLY looking at the cheapest (and BEST) way to "get the battery charging", don't be so quick to dismiss using an alternator.
A $10.00 recycled GM 10SI from a car boneyard is quick and easy to hook up, and will outcharge nearly ANY DC ggenerator you can bolt on there.