12 conversion

GIfarmer · Jun 11, 2008

I have an old H and am sick of the starting problems with the 6 volt system and think I would be better off to just swap it to 12 volt.
My question is are the conversion kits from here the best and easiest way to go or is there acheaper and better way?
thanks for the advice.

Mark

Ludwig · Jun 11, 2008

What kind of starting problems?
When I've got a good 6v battery (which I don't right now, mine is almost 10 years old) my Super M starts plenty easy with 6v.
If it won't start good with 6v you might (probably) have another issue that a 12v starting system will just be masking. I'd hate to think you putting in a bunch of work going to 12v and burning out the starter because you've got to grind away on it to get the tractor to start.

Does it start easy if you pull start it?

That said I see the 12v as a big advantage in allowing you to put in electronic ignition much less expensively. Or rather a 12v electronic ignition was alot less (like $100 less) expensive than 6v the last time I checked.

rustyfarmall · Jun 11, 2008

I agree. If all is well with the 6 volt system, that tractor will crank up and run just fine. If all is NOT well, 12 volts might be a temporary cure, but the problems will eventually resurface.

Janicholson · Jun 11, 2008

The issue is often small cables, and poor connections. The cables need to have 00ga wire in them to handle the amps. Smaller (common #4 wires drop so much amps with their resistance that the starter won,t crank it fast enough to fire. It is a high priority. JimN

Anonymous-0 · Jun 11, 2008

I also had the opinion that converting to 12v was a coverup for other problems. Often that is true. I then considered how the tractor is used. I feel the greatest short coming to be the generator charging system. These tractors were built to go to the field 12-18 hours a day. In that environment, the 6-8 amp charge rate would return a full charge to the battery. However now, many of these tractors are started and driven across the yard. Restarted and driven back to the shed. Not nearly enough charge time for the battery to recover. If the battery is left in the shed with less than a full charge, the battery will begin to sulfate. An alternator will shoot 40-50 amps to the battery if it needs it and provide for a quick recovery and therefore minimizing battery sulfation. I won't explain sulfation because off the top of my head I don't remember the technical explaination. It amounts to a build-up on the plates that inhibits the battery's ability to accept a charge.
I now believe that if you are not using your tractor in the field, a 12 volt alternator conversion may not be a bad idea.
K-Mo

12 conversion

GIfarmer

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Ludwig

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rustyfarmall

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Janicholson

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

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