6 volt to 12 volt conversion

Mike in Mn. · Nov 27, 2013

Just some info for all you guys that are using a 6 volt starter on 12 volt, I have mentioned this here before, just changed another drive this week, that's a drive about every two years. Some time it's just the spring, but most of the time the drive breaks. I always keep spares, have NAPA bought out of good old fashioned ones. The new ones from Tisco etc are China and are totally worthless, the spring doesn't break it's so soft it just winds around the shaft and will not work. The ring gear was new last time I went through the engine and didn't change anything. I will say this though that tractor gets used a lot, probably gets started 15-20 times a day in the summer. So when your 6 volt starter hatches a drive don't be surprised!! A great Thanksgiving to all!!

waltdavies · Nov 27, 2013

If you are stopping and starting that engine that much you doing more damage than just letting run at idol. I only shut down when the job is completed and I'm though for the day.
Walt

Jon Hagen · Nov 27, 2013

With 6V to 12V conversions. On machines with those spring cushion drives, I find that if it wrecks drives or springs, substituting one of the cheapy little light guage 12V cables for the heavy old 6V cable will often reduce starter power enough to save the drive, yet still crank 2-3 times as fast/strong as 6V.

old · Nov 27, 2013

WHAT?? I have tractors that I use all the time and have for decades and are 12 volt with 6 volt starters and I have yet to replace any drive on any of them. I have had to replace a starter or 2 but they where flat wore out

John T · Nov 27, 2013

Ive had many 6 volt starters on 12 volts that did fine but the poster is right CAN BE TOUGH ON STARTER DRIVES GRRRRRRRRRRR.

Similar to what Jon posted, in this case DO NOT use a big heavy high CCA 12 volt battery, a light duty 12 volt battery can still spin her plenty fast but isn't as tough on starter drives or try the smaller gauge battery cables trick Jon mentions.

On IHC starters I think theres a later style drive that works better in this application, the IHC gents will have to weigh in on that

John T

rusty6 · Nov 27, 2013

I have a 56 IH truck that was converted to 12 volts probably 25 years ago. The original 6 volt starter has never given a problem at all. The Cockshutt 50 I converted to 12 volts has a bad ring gear and sometimes it takes half a dozen tries before the starter gear will engage. Hasn't hurt the starter drive but I'm sure it is extra wear and tear on the gears.

Wayne in MN · Nov 27, 2013

The "new" style starter drive for IH units works very well! We have replaced most of our "herd" by now; I have an extra one on hand for later use.

mkirsch · Nov 27, 2013

See if you can get a new "clutch" style starter end for whatever tractor you've got. It might hold up better.

That said, starting the tractor 15-20 times a day... Yeesh! That's a lot of stopping and starting. After two years of that I'm not surprised that the drives are giving up. You're plum wearing them out!

How long does it sit between starts? If you could reduce it to 10 starts a day by making your job more efficient, the starter would last 3-4 years instead of only 2.

Tom Jubilee · Nov 27, 2013

How do you know if your starter is 6 or 12 volts.

Owen Aaland · Nov 27, 2013

Pictures of the two different drives.

6 volt to 12 volt conversion

Mike in Mn.

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waltdavies

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Jon Hagen

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old

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John T

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rusty6

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Wayne in MN

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mkirsch

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Tom Jubilee

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Owen Aaland

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