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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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12-volt or 6-volt

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Derek Zwart

08-01-2006 10:54:47




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I recently bought my first Farmall M and don't know much about electrical issues. I'm not sure if it has been converted to 12 volt or not. It came with a 12 volt battery, but all it is used for is starting. The battery cable goes to the starter switch and from there to the starter. All the other wires are hanging. Which means I need to charge the battery every 15-20 starts. Is ther a way to tell if it has been converted or not by looking at some of the other parts on the tractor? In other words, does the alternator, coil, generator, or ignition look any different. Also, I noticed that there are negative and positive ground ignition systems. I could use some help identifying what I have going on there as well. Like I said, I don't know much about electrical, but I,m trying to learn. Any help is appreciated.

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Derek Zwart

08-02-2006 07:05:26




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 Re: 12-volt or 6-volt in reply to Derek Zwart, 08-01-2006 10:54:47  
Thank you for the help. I will take a closer look at it this weekend. Unfortunately, I'm an 1 1/2 hour drive from the M.

What prompted my question was a starter problem I had last weekend. The darn would not spin and got very hot. I pulled it and brought it home and started looking up how to repair or what the cost would be to replace it. I only saw 6-volt starters on this web site ( but I read that you can use either). As it turns out I took the band off the started and cleaned some junk out and now it works (for now).
Anyway, thanks again for your responses.

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John T

08-01-2006 12:22:15




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 Re: 12-volt or 6-volt in reply to Derek Zwart, 08-01-2006 10:54:47  
Derek, is it reallyyyyy yy an Alternator instead of a Generator??? Im like Old, there arent many 6 volt alternators used.

If it has a Generator and a Voltage Regulator instead of an alternator, the VR may be labeled as 6 or 12 volt!!!!! !!!!! !!!

Does it have a magneto or a battery powered coil ignition?? Cuz if its a coil ignition system and used a 6 volt coil WITHOUT any external series ballast resistor ahead of the coil, the coil would get so hot you could barely hold your hand on it plus it can go bad from overheating and the points will burn up prematurely. If it has an external ballast resistor after the ignition switch and ahead of the coil, then it may have been converted from 6 to 12 volts at one time.

If it was a 6 volt and now a 12 and the starter wasnt changed, they spin like real fast but thats kinda hard to describe over the net

As far as coil n points ignition (if thats what it has instead of a mag) it depends on if the batery is Positive or Negative grounded and it will still work regardless HOWEVER its more efficient if wired to match the ground. i.e. if Pos ground the coils + goes to the distributor while if Neg ground its - does. If its a magneto makes absolutely no diffeence as its not connected to the battery for power.

The points n condensor woud be the same on a coil ignition regardless if 6 or 12 volts so they arent gonna provide any clues.

If it were mine and if originality isnt a concern, since it already has a 12 volt battery and maybe?? a 12 volt alternator, I would rig her as 12 volts Negative ground n be done with it. If its a coil ignition it needs EITHER a full true 12 volt (internally ballasted) coil or else a 6 volt coil with an external series ballast resistor, but if a mag its no difference n youre good to go as is. If its a generator instead of an alternator it needs at least a 12 volt VR and preferably have the genny converted to 12 volts or get a rebuilt one or even try the present genny (6 or 12 volt) with a 12 volt VR n see how she charges and DONT FORGET TO POLARIZE the genny.

If we had some pictures we could better help see what you have !!!!! !!! You may wanna invest in a new wiring harness n check out Bob M's Wiring Diagrams.

NOOOO the coil n alternator n genny n ignition and the points or ammeter etc or starter dont look much if any different to answer your question

John T

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old

08-01-2006 11:13:40




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 Re: 12-volt or 6-volt in reply to Derek Zwart, 08-01-2006 10:54:47  
Well if it has an alternator on it then you have about a 99% chance that its 12 volts. But if it has a genny on it you have a 50/50 chance its 12 or 6 volts since gennys can be made to put out the 12 plus volts need to charge a battery.



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