Farmall c conversion to 12 volt

burnsg2003 · Dec 3, 2010

I have a 1951 Farmall C that I restored. I kept the 6 volt system. I have a tough time keeping the battery up and in good condition since I don't run the tractor much. I have read some posts here and other places and am confused about what I would need to replace or do to convert to 12 volt. What would I need to replace to have something that works and that is not going to give me constant problems. Any input or suggestions would be appreciated.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 3, 2010

I did a 12V conversion on a C for a friend about 30 years ago. Since he wanted it to looks stock, I swapped in a 12V generator and regulator, changed all the bulbs to 12V, and since we converted from 6V positive ground to 12V negative ground, I also reversed th leads on the back of the ammeter so it would read correctly for "charge" and "discharge."

These days, you'd probably swap in an alternator with an internal regulator, but otherwise the rest would be the same.

And I'd then look about getting one of those solar battery "maintainers"...the vocational school had one in their automotive department, and the vehicle they kept it on never had a dead battery.

gene bender · Dec 3, 2010

Be much easier to find out why your sys. tem is running down Good battery and clean cables would be first then check wiring. unless keeping it original isnt important.

Janicholson · Dec 3, 2010

This should help do it. Choose the one for alternator and do it. Jim
Bob Ms Superlative Wiring diagrams

John T · Dec 3, 2010

If theres some sort of high resistance short causing a trickle discharge, just changing batteries (and NOT fixing the issue) isnt gonna cure that.

If a battery is bad causing excess internal self discharge, thats true regardles if its a bad 6 or bad 12 volt battery.

Battery tenders are a good way to keep a battery up on a seldom used tractor and 6 or 12's can run down if they set unattended too long.

A little C should start fine at cold temps if the engine is well tuned and you have a good heavy battery and 0 or 00 gauge cables

Can ya tell Im not a 6/12 conversion fan on small tractors lol

But hey its your tractor and your choice so do what turns your crank, Jim or the others have given good advice

John T

Jim Becker · Dec 3, 2010

Twenty bucks and a little change will get you a good 6/12 volt battery charger/maintainer at Walmart. If you don't use the tractor much, you should have one.

gbs · Dec 3, 2010

if you don't try to idle around and run the lights you can change the regulator to 12 volts add a ign. resistor between coil and switch, polarize generator switch ammeter wires if you change polarity your set, contrary to other beliefs i have an H set up this way works fine just doesn't charge at low idle, i know another man that has M and an H setup this way, the 6 volt gen can produce 17 volts plenty to keep up a 12 volt system,lot of folks claim a 6 volt gen.& starter can't stand 12 volts but they can because there is less resistance with 12 volts than 6 volts, case in point you can take a half charged 12 volt battery it will spin the wax out of your C, a full charged 6 volt will start running out off steam only after a few revolutions

John T · Dec 4, 2010

Mornin gb, FWIW I have done the same as you, used the old 6 volt genny and just changed to a 12 volt Voltage Regulator and it indeed "worked" BUT IM NOTTTTTTTT SAYING ITS ENGINEERING CORRECT ONLY that it worked........ A genny dont necessarily know what its output voltage is, it increases if you 1) Spin it faster or 2) Pump more current through its Field windings (the VR regulates field current). However, therein lies the "real" question i.e. can the fields stand up to the necessary current (same resistance but you apply twice the volts remember) and not overheat or not damage the insulation integrity.

A genny shop can change the field windings and the armature if necessary to do an engineering "correct" conversion but it may be cheaper to just get a 12 volt n be done with it

Snow here in Indiana

John T

gbs · Dec 5, 2010

at worst getting 12 volts out of a 6 volt generator you might smoke the generator nothing really lost,myself i prefer making the brackets an using a 10 si delco-remy alternator, charging problems gone, only reason i done the H with the generator was because i had a couple of generators an was in to big of a hurry to change to an alt.has worked ok so far,myself i don't care for generators there to costly and temperamental to work with.

Farmall c conversion to 12 volt

burnsg2003

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Anonymous-0

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gene bender

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Janicholson

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John T

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Jim Becker

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gbs

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John T

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gbs

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