converting 6 v genny to 12 v

sgtbull · Jan 1, 2009

What does it take to convert a 6 v genny to a 12 volt? I"ve heard just replace the regulator, and others have said it needs new fields. What is correct?

Janicholson · Jan 1, 2009

Having the fields at 12 volt rating is a good idea. They can heat yp and smoke to lumps if warm weather is normal operating condition. 12V generators from tractors made with them should not be a problem. Many 60s farmall/IH and easecially diesels of older vintage had them (red tag on the outside for the serial #. A gen shop can change th fields for reasonable price, but a good 12v may cost the same. JimN

mkirsch · Jan 2, 2009

I think Jim meant to say "NOT a good idea."

In a nutshell, you're trying to make the generator do something it was not designed to do, and generators are relatively delicate.

The best way to "convert" a 6V to a 12V is to purchase a 12V generator outright.

What problem are you trying to fix by going to 12V?

Janicholson · Jan 2, 2009

Mkirsch You are correct. I ment to say that running a 6v gen at 12v is smoke prone. Having a gen shop replace the field windings with 12v rated coils will work, but best is a real 12v. JimN

Bob Kerr · Jan 2, 2009

I honestly think there is nothing wrong with 6 V system if everything is working right and connections are clean. When I got my H someone had replaced the wiring and messed up a few connections and a new regulator and a good used genny later it is charging great and have had zero problems since.

karl f · Jan 2, 2009

don't forget early 60s GM products

probably just a pulley swap and away you go.
karl f

Anonymous-0 · Jan 2, 2009

probably best to just buy a 12v. gen. BUT theres nothing wrong with 6v., just keep it maintained and dont use those thin auto cables everyone likes to grab.i just cant stand the pain seeing some of those sloppy 12v. conversions.all for what!

sgtbull · Jan 4, 2009

Well, I had completely restored this tractor a few yrs ago, and put HEAVY cables on to accomodate the 6 v system. It has a 6v genny, cutout, and 4 position switch, (its a 40 H). The engine is top notch, new pistons, sleeves, ground crank and cam, completely rebuilt head. It just seems that lately, its not go the power to crank well. I took the battery and it tested good, the genny is still showing a good charge, and I ran all of the connections to make sure they were clean and tight. (took the cables loose, cleaned them, and put them back on tight on both ends of each) Still getting the same thing. It runs on a magneto that I had redone by Magman, and it runs fine on it, but it just doesn"t start like I think it should. If I disconnect the 6v and use a a 12v jump pack, it fires up in just a second. Its just getting a bit old and I was considering just switching the whole thing over to 12v to eliminate the problem as trying to find it is making my already thinning hair thin that much more.

JMOR · Jan 4, 2009

(quoted from post at 11:23:53 01/04/09) Well, I had completely restored this tractor a few yrs ago, and put HEAVY cables on to accomodate the 6 v system. It has a 6v genny, cutout, and 4 position switch, (its a 40 H). The engine is top notch, new pistons, sleeves, ground crank and cam, completely rebuilt head. It just seems that lately, its not go the power to crank well. I took the battery and it tested good, the genny is still showing a good charge, and I ran all of the connections to make sure they were clean and tight. (took the cables loose, cleaned them, and put them back on tight on both ends of each) Still getting the same thing. It runs on a magneto that I had redone by Magman, and it runs fine on it, but it just doesn"t start like I think it should. If I disconnect the 6v and use a a 12v jump pack, it fires up in just a second. Its just getting a bit old and I was considering just switching the whole thing over to 12v to eliminate the problem as trying to find it is making my already thinning hair thin that much more.

A story to make all the "hard start" folks sick:
I have a more or less neglected SMTA, with a nearly-in-the-grave-6v-battery, never touched the non-battery cable ends, it turns over so slow & weak the you can hear & see the fan blade pause at every compression stroke (until enough leaks off to allow turning to the next) and yet just when I think I'm finally going to have to work on it, the old machine fires off, year after year! :lol:

converting 6 v genny to 12 v

sgtbull

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Janicholson

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mkirsch

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Janicholson

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Bob Kerr

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karl f

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Anonymous-0

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sgtbull

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JMOR

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