MD 12 volt battery?

Hattrick · Dec 3, 2013

It seems like the MD tractors came with two 6 volt batteries in series. I know I have started mine on a single 12 volt. In some way it would be nice to have a single battery but it would likely not fit in the standard battery box. Any suggestions on this?

DeltaRed · Dec 3, 2013

Did you measure the box and 12v battery?I would find and install a larger size IH battery box to fit a large size 12v battery and go that way.To heck with the 'correct police'.

Hattrick · Dec 3, 2013

I have not looked into the details but do you know the difference in CCA with two 6 volts compared to larger 12V. Also thinking about AGM Glass Matt battery.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 3, 2013

My md starts great with a single 12 volt battery from NAPA in a standard M box (new) under the tank.
CCW is fairly high, but I can't remember what the number is.

Hattrick · Dec 3, 2013

This is good to know. Do you know what group size you were able to use? I am assuming that you are using the standard M/MD box also?

DeltaRed · Dec 3, 2013

Yes,I very well know the difference....Run a fleet of older IH tractors.

Bob M · Dec 3, 2013

The CCA for a pair of 6 volt batteries in series is the CCA for either of batteries (ie. the CCA for one battery).

So if you switch to a single 12 volt battery, get one with the CCA equal to for the old 6 volt battery and you'd be good.

FWIW a friend buddy of mine has an MD with a single, 650 CCA 12 volt battery - it starts with ease.

sflem849 · Dec 3, 2013

Yes, you can run 1 12 volt. I do it. Do you have the box that goes to the right of the seat?

Haas · Dec 3, 2013

I sold my MD, but last several years I used a single 12 volt battery. Worked fine. I originally had two six volt batteries on it, but when they needed to be replaced, no one had those large size 6V batteries in stock. Special order was very expensive so I went to the 12V.

IAtractorKid · Dec 3, 2013

Take you battery box in with you and buy the biggest 12v battery that will fit. That"s what I always do but I like to make sure I have plenty of power from my battery. You should be able to get something in the 800-900CCA range; although a 525 will do.

GarryinNC · Dec 3, 2013

We have 3 MDs and use a group 31 truck battery in them. Starts them fine and those 31s seem to last longer than most smaller batteries. All of the tractors get used, but not as much as they once did. An MD, Super MD and MTA diesel.

Garry

rustred · Dec 3, 2013

it makes no difference what so ever... 2 6 volt or 1 12 volt battery. you still are starting a gas engine. these engines start easy and even with a hand crank also! i know they had two 6 volt batt"s from factory, but 1 12 volt is just as good . my wd9 came from factory with 2 6 volt batt"s and i can just go out there and crank it over by hand with no batt"s in it and it starts just fine.
if you where asking about the diesel 282"s and batteries thats a different story. a properly tuned 282 starts just fine with 1 12 volt also.
this two battery thing is for cold weather starting as we have in canada.

Tramway Guy · Dec 4, 2013

Battery technology has improved immensely since the MD was originally made. A single 12V battery will be fine. Go for the highest CCA that will fit in the box.

sflem849 · Dec 4, 2013

(quoted from post at 06:04:59 12/04/13) Battery technology has improved immensely since the MD was originally made. A single 12V battery will be fine. Go for the highest CCA that will fit in the box.

Did they even have 12v batteries back then? It seems most anything that needed 12v used two 6s in series. Heck, JD was stilling doing two 12s in series in the 4440.

MD 12 volt battery?

Hattrick

Member

DeltaRed

Well-known Member

Hattrick

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Hattrick

Member

DeltaRed

Well-known Member

Bob M

Well-known Member

sflem849

Well-known Member

Haas

Well-known Member

IAtractorKid

Member

GarryinNC

Well-known Member

rustred

Well-known Member

Tramway Guy

Well-known Member

sflem849

Well-known Member

Similar threads