Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Discussion Forum
:

12 volt yes or no

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Greg in ak

03-12-2001 21:19:27




Report to Moderator

I have an 1940 9n. How difficult is it to install a 12 volt system on my tractor? My 9n has the original 6volt system now but i was told the generator needs fixed.




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
fessman

03-13-2001 17:49:20




Report to Moderator
 Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to Greg in ak , 03-12-2001 21:19:27  
I have a 6 volt system and it works great. I did replace the large battery cables, and cleaned all the connections this past fall. And it started every day I needed it to this winter....in Maine.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DavidO

03-13-2001 08:21:06




Report to Moderator
 Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to Greg in ak , 03-12-2001 21:19:27  
I agree that you should have a good reason to convert to 12V. My 48 8N had always started easily on 6V, but the generator died. I mean really died. Doubtful if it would have been accepted as a core on a rebuilt generator. The battery was also "low sick". Looking at the prices of generators, I decided to go with a conversion kit. It came with brackets,bolts, alternator, wiring harness, 12V coil and installation instructions. Cost $149.00. Took about 2 hours to install and I wasn't in a big hurry. Works great. I believe that it was the right choice for me, but you should look carefully at your options before deciding what's best for you. Good Luck.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DavidO--Forgot

03-13-2001 08:24:44




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to DavidO, 03-13-2001 08:21:06  
I forgot to mention that the conversion kit also included a new fan belt.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Charlie in TX

03-13-2001 07:12:15




Report to Moderator
 Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to Greg in ak , 03-12-2001 21:19:27  
I also agree with Dell. Convert for the right reasons. For me the right reasons were;
1. Dead generator.
2. Dead battery.
3. Tractor stuck past the rear axel in mud. 12v wench won't run on a 6v system. I WILL get stuck again.
4. When the temp gets over 105 deg in the summer, night time is the best time to mow. 12v lights work better.
5. Herbisides and insectisides sprayed from a trailor tank, with a 12v pump, pray much better with a 12v tractor.

For me, a 12v convertion was logical. If you don't have these other needs, rebuild you generator.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
denton

03-13-2001 07:26:36




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to Charlie in TX, 03-13-2001 07:12:15  
Even after my little story below, I could see reason's to change to 12 volt. I just couldn't believe the cost of a conversion!



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
denton

03-13-2001 06:27:48




Report to Moderator
 Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to Greg in ak , 03-12-2001 21:19:27  
Wanna hear a horror story. I am an assistant principal at a high school here in Virginia. If that's not horror enough read on. One of the custodians informed me last week that he had taken the school's (mint) 8N over to the local farm service to get a 12 volt system. Didn't "spin up" for his liking. Never mind it started every time for the last 49 years. Anyhow I didn't vent because he really did have good intentions and he is a good man. Just signed the bill. $780.50. AND they kept the 6V parts from the tractor to resell. I did vent a little at this point. Tractor still starts, but no uniforms for the softball team! (just kidding)

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
bj/8N/mt

03-13-2001 06:19:57




Report to Moderator
 Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to Greg in ak , 03-12-2001 21:19:27  
no rocket science involved in a twelve volt conversion

that said--twelve volt conversions are far and away the leading cause of troubles posted here and contribute to ignition troubles if not done right and ignition troubles have to be the second most frequent trouble posted here

if you have the savy to convert correctly you can put a fifteen dollar rebuild kit in your generator and get back to work

if you don't think you could rebuild a generator best not mess with a conversion unless you have some kind of accessory like a sprayer that needs the twelve volts. If that is the case I would get a kit rather than try to put it together with what is laying around the shop.

my $0.02

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
TimK

03-13-2001 07:19:48




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to bj/8N/mt, 03-13-2001 06:19:57  
You know, I agree with bj. Unless you live in really cold climate and use the tractor in the winter often, 12v. makes sense to avoid all the jump starting. But if that is not the case, better make sure you really know what you're doing or you may have conversion problems. I suggest you fix the generator, keep it 6v., clean, bright and tight. My $.02



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
bj/8N/mt

03-13-2001 07:26:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to TimK, 03-13-2001 07:19:48  
does Montana qualify as a cold climate?

neither of my six volt 8N's missed a start this winter and the only crutch I use is a dip stick heater in the three point

originality aside

do it right or leave it stock



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Tom A

03-13-2001 04:40:31




Report to Moderator
 Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to Greg in ak , 03-12-2001 21:19:27  
Guess I agree with Dell, I just have never found/heard a good enough reason for me to convert. My '48 8N has always started easily on 6V (unless something else was wrong), even in the coldest weather I get here--down to the negative teens on occasion but more typically in the positive teens.

That, coupled with all the many problems and horror stories of poor conversions I've heard lead me to keep mine at 6V.

good luck,
Tom

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dell (WA)

03-12-2001 23:05:16




Report to Moderator
 Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to Greg in ak , 03-12-2001 21:19:27  
Greg..... .you might want to check the "archives" at the top of this great N-Board and read the horror stories about botched 12 volt conversions.

I'm a 12 volt conversion advocate for the right reasons. That said, I haven't found the right reason for my eazy starting 6 volt 52 8N and I know how to do it right. A bad 6 volt generator might just be the right reason.

If you are electrically challenged, I'd recommend a conversion kit. $150 to 200 depending where you wanna squander your moneys. If you can't follow the instructions religiously, hire someone who can.

Thankyou for asking, being an informed converter helps to make things eazier..... ..Dell

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Greg in ak

03-13-2001 20:43:27




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: 12 volt yes or no in reply to Dell (WA), 03-12-2001 23:05:16  
Thank you all very much for your information . If my generator is fixable i believe i will keep the 6 volt system. My feeling is ,if it has worked for 61 years it should work for a few more. My 9n will live the easy life of a parade tractor anyway so as i can see the need for 12 volt sprayers etc. is not there. I to believe there are an awful lot of questions about the 12 volt system, this is why i needed to ask your advise. what a great bunch of people, again thank you.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy