H to 12 volt

Been wanting to convert my SH to 12 volt for years.the 6 volt battery just died.I dont have time now to do the'convertion'I dont wanna buy a nother 6v battery,only to"change it out"in 6 months when I do the actual convertion.Can I go ahead and install the 12v battery(I know it wont charge).Will the battery be ruined by sitting a 6v tractor?Should I just unhook the chargeing system till IRewire and install an alternator?Thanks,Steve

Assuming you have a distributor, run a new wire from the battery to the switch to the coil. You'll need a new 12v coil with "no external ballast resistor required" or add a ballast resistor to protect the existing 6v coil and points.
Hook up the wire from the switch to the + side of coil and the - side of coil to the distributor.

If you have a magneto disregard the above.

Connect the 12v battery with the - to ground and + to starter switch and bypass all other wiring.

It'll work that way for a long time. The coil doesn't use much power and if you have it tuned good it will start fast and not use much juice. Charge it up once in a while when it cranks slow.

I have several project tractors wired this way till I get the time and money to do it right.

YES I would unhook the 6 volt charging system in the meantime. If its a Magneto Ignition a good 12 volt battery will start her manyyyyyyyyy times before it needs charged and even if a coil distributor ignition, they only draw like 4 amps so she will still run a good while.

Id hang an external series voltage dropping (12 to 6) ballast resistor after the ign switch before and ahead of the coil if its a coil distributor ignition, nothing needed if a Mag. Id also change the lights to 12 volt well DUH.

I have used the old 6 volt genny and still charged a 12 volt battery simply by changing to a 12 volt Voltage Regulator although thats NOT engineering correct or didnt charge at any high rate, Im ONLY saying it worked.

Of course, if you go with an alternator there will most likely be polarity issues to deal with such as swapping ammeter and coil leads if you change from Pos to Neg ground.

Ive kept the 6 votl starters when I converted.

Any decent condition H with a good heavy battery and a good working charging system and 00 Gauge cables should start n perform just fine even at cold temps but its your tractor and your choice.

John T

Get the correct battery and new 1ga cables and if the starter is un good shape it will start and run for many years. Just how do you think we used them before there was 12v systems and they will still work. All 12v does is boost a weak system for a quick fix.

My tractor has no problem starting on 6.I want /need 12 because I have some 12 volt "accessorys"(sprayer pump).and its the last 6v tractor on the place.