12V conversion 1w or 3w

I have a ’49 8N front mount with a very dead generator (measured shorts in the armatures) and a now cracked pulley.

Seems like a time to change to 12V.

So do I use a 1 wire kit (never found a kit with 3 wire alternator) or find all the bits and pieces individually and do a 3 wire conversion? Bits & pieces seem awful expensive at least from this site.

Mostly concerned with mechanical issues ie brackets, pulleys and belts. Electrics is easy and I’ve done a successful 3 wire conversion on another tractor.

To make matters harder I’m 200 miles from tractor so really want to have all the stuff in hand.

Opinions?

Thanks

I never have an never will use a kit for that. Bracket can be a problem since your so far from it but. If you buy a Delco 10SI say for a 1980 Chev pick up truck it will cost you around $35 plus a $10 core, I get mine from O'Reilly's auto parts store life time warranty by the way. A diode 276-1661 from radio shack $2.79 for a pack of 4 and then a #10 wire and some #14 wire and wire it up. 1 wire types cause problem with drained battery if park for a long time and also need high RPM to kick them in to charge. Bob posts pictures of how to wire one up all the time so if you check the archives you should fine that info. So total cost with a battery can run less then $100
Hobby farm

One wire conversion S10 Delco may be available in a low speed utility version- charging starts about 400 rpm, 40/45 amp instead of 1000 rpm,55 to 80 amp. Have to go to industrial supply or electrical specialty/rebuilder shop mostly. Small size Motorola alternator about 35 amp shown in shop catalog for some utility uses- I think I saw a couple on early JD, combine. Early 1960 Ford small sized generator might be available- this was the Falcon and Econoline 25 amp generator before alternator, came from English Ford and industrial use, catalogs in US had it under the 1960-1963 Falcon and Van 144 and 170 inch 6 engines or under Ford utility including tractor engine based equipment. Couple threads in archives about using them in IHC H as it would fit where 6 volt generator was mounted without pounding out hood. Bosch and VW 1966 to 1972(?) Beetle generator has been used for some utility type installations- 2 piece pulley is adjustable belt tension while mounting is fixed on brackets/straps, just need front clearance for wrench to install and adjust belt instead of worrying about idler or side movement of generator. If you have old English car shop - Lucas had a small sized alternator used on Roots/Sunbeam/Hillman, not a recommended unit unless you have it on hand-- the Nippon Denso copy of the Lucas was used on some Nissans/Datsuns and Mazdas, this may be more widely available and has been used in some threads about 12 volt conversion in tight spaces. Toyota and some of the others also had a sort of shrunken 25+amp Delco copy- wire from Delco S10 could be hooked in, Delco S10 could be used instead of Toyota in pickup that had physical space and wire loom used with american plugs- I did a quick conversion on a Datsun 620(?) pickup to Delco mostly because had Delco S10s on shelf, needed to make mounting brackets but it was fitted in with a thumbs width clearance. RN

brackets can be pretty easy on the front mount.. get a universal long adjustable arm that hits the water pump for the top bracket.. and for the lower bracket, sandwhich the front cover on the engine. with a couple short flats..

here's a pic of the lower bracket on my 2n.. ( frontmount.. obviously.. ).. nevermind the idler pulley I added...

soundguy

Well, if it was my tractor.....I'd get the generator rebuilt ($75 around here) If that wouldn't work, Don B has one already rebuilt for $140. I can think of a couple good reasons to convert an N to 12v, but needing a generator rebuilt isn't one of them!

Don't forget the coil & the additional resistors you're going to need.

And the headlights.
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