12 volt system

I had my alt checked and it was not charging. I suspected this because my electrical system has never worked.

I have a resistor does this mean that I have a 6 volt coil?

I would like to wire this tractor correctly but I do not want to order a kit just for the instructions.

If I buy a 12 volt coil can I do away with the resistor? If so what is the part #? Where can I find a set of instructions in order to wire this tractor up?

Thanks,
Tim

This is one of the joys of 12 volt conversions, there are many ways to do it and some of them even work.

All frontmount ignition coils NEED a resistor whether 12 or 6 volt coil. However, all 12 volt conversions that use the OEM 6 volt coil need 2 resistors, the original infamous "ballast resistor" mounted on the backside of the dashpanel AND a 12 to 6 volt converting resistor. Its not clear from your description which ignition scheme your previous tractor converter used.

Yes, there is a 12 volt frontmount ignition coil NOW available. It still requires a resistor BUT NOT the infamous ballast resistor. Do you understand that? It requires a current limiting resistor of about 1/2 ohm at 10 watts (this is also a cermamic resistor), get one at radio shack. Tractor parts places DON'T sell this resistor.

I lost all my 12 volt convertions web page bookmarks, so you'll have to do a web search. I can think of 3 different pages but just don't have the URL's memorized.

I'm a 12 volt advocate for the right reason, that said, I still haven't found the right reason for my eazy starting 6 volt 52 8N and I know how to do it right.

If I can help you more, please ask for clarification..... ..... respectfully, Dell

I bought a new one.

All frontmount ignition coils NEED a resistor whether 12 or 6 volt coil. However, all 12 volt conversions that use the OEM 6 volt coil need 2 resistors, the original infamous "ballast resistor" mounted on the backside of the dashpanel AND a 12 to 6 volt converting resistor. Its not clear from your description which ignition scheme your previous tractor converter used.

There is only on resistor being used. It is not the right one because I bought it at NAPA when I broke the original last year sometime. The "ballast resistor" is still mounted on the tractor painted red and was not used.

Yes, there is a 12 volt frontmount ignition coil NOW available. It still requires a resistor BUT NOT the infamous ballast resistor. Do you understand that? It requires a current limiting resistor of about 1/2 ohm at 10 watts (this is also a cermamic resistor), get one at radio shack. Tractor parts places DON'T sell this resistor.

I understand that I need a resistor no matter what coil I have. How do I find out what coil I have?

I'm a 12 volt advocate for the right reason, that said, I still haven't found the right reason for my eazy starting 6 volt 52 8N and I know how to do it right.

I am someone who only wants his tractor to work no matter what volt the system is. I wouldn't care if my tractor was painted purple and gold! I just want to crank her up.

"There is only on resistor being used. It is not the right one because I bought it at NAPA when I broke the original last year sometime. The "ballast resistor" is still mounted on the tractor painted red and was not used.

Yes, there is a 12 volt frontmount ignition coil NOW available. It still requires a resistor BUT NOT the infamous ballast resistor. Do you understand that? It requires a current limiting resistor of about 1/2 ohm at 10 watts (this is also a cermamic resistor), get one at radio shack. Tractor parts places DON'T sell this resistor.

I understand that I need a resistor no matter what coil I have. How do I find out what coil I have?"

..... .....Unfortunately, they don't label frontmount ignition coils, so here we have to make eduicated guesses and get real technical. The only way that I know to determine whether you have a 6 or 12 volt frontmount coil is to measure the primary winding resistance. A good OEM 6 volt coil will measure about 1 ohm. (exact value not too critical) A 12 volt frontmount coil will measure 3-5 ohms (exact value not too critical)

The reason the ohm value is not too critical is because all we're looking for is the difference between the 2 different coils.

Oh yeah, the secondary winding on both coils will be about 5000 to 10,000 ohms. This is a major difference between primary (points) and secondary (sparkies)

Now that you've been able to identify your coil as eather 6 or 12 volts, you should be able to put your ignition right.

Personally, if I had any suspicion of sparkie problems, I'd bite the bullet and get a new 12 volt frontmount ignition coil and a 1/2 ohm 10 watt resistor from radio shack and do it right. And trashcan the old coil and resistor. NO MORE GUESSES..... ....Dell

I am chewing-it-up now. Headed out now to look for a coil and resistor.