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12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con

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K.LaRue-VA

08-14-2006 12:52:49

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The alternator just failed on my 49! It is less than a year old and still under warranty. I think the diode cluster has fried. I will pull it off this weekend and carry it back to the store to get a free replacement if it does not check out ok.

However, I am starting to wonder if the tractor environment of vibration, dirt, and moisture is going to keep killing alternators?

The original 6-volt generator is a sealed unit. I dont remember seeing any discussion about open-ventilated alternators being used in the fields. In hindsight, some of the dust being kicked up around my place is from fires we had to dispose of brush and old building materials. That charcoal based soot cant be good for electronics.

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Tim...Ok

08-15-2006 06:32:38

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 12:52:49

the real problem is the cheap,foreign rebuilds..I've had the same old alternator on my 8N for at least 15 years..but it's not a rebuild,it's one I pulled off of a 78 chevy truck I was parting out.. find a junkyard alternator,take it to a quality rebuilder,spend about $50 to get it worked over with good parts,do the conversion right and you'll be happy with it for many years to come..

Tim

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Bob

08-14-2006 23:00:20

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 12:52:49

Many diesel tractors, and even combines, and other machines used the Delco 10SI or 12SI alternators on diesel engines, which rattle them around more than an "N" ever could, with reasonable success, running long days under fieldwork conditions.

Your problem MAY be it was a cheap "mass marketer" rebuilt.

Also, are you using an "idiot light", or a diode in the circuit to the alternator's #1 "switched excite" terminal, rather than the less reliable method of connecting it to the "ACC" terminal of a 3-terminal ignition switch?

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K.LaRue-Va

08-15-2006 08:38:50

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to Bob, 08-14-2006 23:00:20

Actually I did both. My alternator is connected to the accessory terminal of a 3-wire ignition switch through an indicator light. I didnt like the diode or idiot light solutions to using the original 2-wire ignition switch, partly because I wanted a charge indicator light so this dummy could see that the key was in the on position.

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Phil (NJ,AZ,SAsk)

08-15-2006 03:49:56

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to Bob, 08-14-2006 23:00:20

[quote]rather than the less reliable method of connecting it to the "ACC" terminal of a 3-terminal ignition switch? [/quote]

You are right this is a big issue, if you connect the diode trio output directly (via any switch) to the battery the diode trio will fail over time.

Not related:
I spent yesterday trouble shooting my 1987 Firebird (garage project) to find that the "L" terminal(excite) was not connected in the instrument pnl (Volt Meter). The original Alternator must have been self exciting. What really buggs me is that the Auto guys never learned to use diodes to block logic voltages. They connect the Alt field terminal to the Engine fan relay (ignition side) but the other side of relay has +5V logic which drains the battery over time.

JMHO.

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Boley

08-14-2006 19:13:18

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 12:52:49

My 63 2000 came to me already converted to 12 volts,very poorly done.The alternator brackets were home made and weak,the wiring was as bad as one can imagine.An "Eagle" brand light switch,like the ones in your house for the lights.I ordered a conversion kit that came with an alternator,brackets,wiring harness,solenoid,and coil.I've been happy ever since.Got rid of a wheel barrow full of bad wiring,voltage regulator,non working alternator,ballast resistor,etc.No electrical problems at all now.If the tractor had been left 6 volt I would not have changed it over,but it would have been expensive to go back.

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Lumpy

08-14-2006 18:57:53

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 12:52:49

I just got done converting my 861 from 12v BACK to 6v. I have never had problems with 6v systems and thats why I did it and I like things original.

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Tom N MS

08-14-2006 18:15:49

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 12:52:49

6 volt systems must no be much good. My Dad has a 1946 2N--still 6 volts..cranks like a new Cadillac(probably better)....cranks within two revolutions of the engine..... .I should have gone back with 6 volts but when I got mine it had nothing(no alternator and no generator) so I did the 12 Volt thimg and it works fine..and the lights I added are bright...I think I turned them on twice to see if they work..If you have all the parts...stay with 6 volts.....

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K.LaRue-VA

08-14-2006 18:49:37

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to Tom N MS, 08-14-2006 18:15:49

I converted the 49 for the same reason, there was just nothing there to start with. It cost me about 1/3 what it would have cost to try and restore the original 6-volt system. My 52 is still 6-volts and it works great so I have both and was happy with both tractors. But now I start to wonder. Reading back through the archives, the problems with 12-volt systems seem to outnumber the 6-volt problems by almost a 10 to 1 margin. Logic says a good 12-volt system should be more reliable than a 6-volt system, unless the 12-volt components used are not as well made. So now I am wondering if the Delco alternator is made as well as the original 6-volt generator? Is that alternator a weak-link that is going to continue to be a problem?

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Tom N MS

08-14-2006 19:40:20

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 18:49:37

Good point.. I personally can't say. I installed my 12V system about 2 years ago and have had no problem but the tractor is used very little. It is not a show tractor. I don't have a need for something I can only look at.

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Gary '40 9N

08-14-2006 16:51:37

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 12:52:49

I hafta wonder why this place pushes the 12 volt conversion? 1)the 6 volt wiring is fine for 12 volts..... they send ya an whole new 12 volt harness....lighter wires...
2) The Ford Model A parts places sell a 6 volt alternator which is also positive ground. Why not for the tractor?

My cousin has a Model A with this 6 volt alternator. No problems at all...bolts right on! I think I will buy one of these myself! I could just never understand the logic of doing the 12 volt conversion unless you just need 12 volts for accessories. I just wanna run my lights without having to adjust that darned 3rd brush! I don"t need 12 volts..... .one size does not fit all!

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dan hill

08-15-2006 03:29:17

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to Gary '40 9N, 08-14-2006 16:51:37

A 3 ohm rheostat on a 3 brush generator will let you adjust the charge rate from the tractor seat.

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Jimmyjack

08-14-2006 15:30:46

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 12:52:49

I advocate keeping the 6 volt in the shape it is supposed to be and it works great, even here couple hundred miles from the Canadian border. 12 volt conversions are ok if you need a crutch and cant tune up the old girl, but they result in more problems then anything else on the forum.,

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CT8N

08-14-2006 15:12:42

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 12:52:49

I blow my alternator out with a leaf blower when I have been in dusty conditions. Don't know if helps or not but a lot of stuff comes out.
Charles

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dan hill

08-19-2006 18:39:04

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to CT8N, 08-14-2006 15:12:42

The generator is completly dosent need a leaf blower.

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Danny in CO

08-14-2006 14:44:19

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to K.LaRue-VA, 08-14-2006 12:52:49

I've had my 12 volt conversion for about 6 years now. The first alternator from a salvage yard lasted about 4 years. I'm now 2 years into a new remanufactured one. No problems so far.

Danny

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Tractordude2

08-14-2006 20:54:36

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to Danny in CO, 08-14-2006 14:44:19

My only experience with the conversion was a good one. Our old 48 w/6v was an unreliable starter in the winter. I know other factors could be involved but my uncles were quite proficient at mechanics. He made a system which started with 12v but then ran off of the 6v system. Yep, two different batteries. ALWAYS started right up then! A good conversation piece.
Don't ask me how he did it.

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Dixon

08-14-2006 19:57:06

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to Danny in CO, 08-14-2006 14:44:19

wooooo oooo!!!! This place pushes the 12 volt conversion???? News to me.

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Gary 40 9N

10-12-2006 08:16:51

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Re: 12-Volt Conversion Pro-Con in reply to Dixon, 08-14-2006 19:57:06

If you want to do a conversion to an alternator, and you research it here, all you find is info about doing a 12 volt conversion. Anybody seeing this would think that it is not possible to do a 6 volt alternator conversion. That is what I mean.

This just surprizes me when you see how similar the N is to a model "A" engine. Yes, there are a few differences. But, I see the similarities.

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