Interesting situation regarding batteries.

oldtanker · May 10, 2019

My 1206 Farmall uses 2 3EH batteries. Kinda interesting as just a few years ago all 2 of the local parts stores and anyone who sold batteries always has at least 1 pair on hand. None of my 20 miles or less places now carry them in stock. They have to be ordered. No regular 6 volts either. Cause I was curious I asked. Those too have to be ordered.

I guess I will be looking into converting the 1206 to single or dual 12 volt battery/ies. Glad I already converted the other older tractors.

Rick

dzc3 · May 10, 2019

Get the biggest 12V that will fit one big battery beats two. Just my 2 Cents

oldtanker · May 11, 2019

LOL that's won't work too well. The batteries are a goofy size. 10" tall. 19" long, about 4" wide. 3ET would be the 12 volt equivalent that would fit.

Rick

SVcummins · May 11, 2019

3et and 3eh are at all the local farm stores here just
bought two new sets in the last 2 years

Bill in IL · May 11, 2019

I dont see that size on the shelf much around here either. Last set of 3et i got had to be ordered but i had them next
day.

fastfarmall · May 11, 2019

Well, he first is going to have a place to set it,on the tractor!

oldtanker · May 11, 2019

(quoted from post at 22:16:22 05/10/19) 3et and 3eh are at all the local farm stores here just
bought two new sets in the last 2 years

LOL SV, our local farm store is 25 miles away and I don't trust their tractor batteries too much.

Rick

SVcummins · May 11, 2019

I?ve always been scared of cheap batteries but The
price on the good batteries are getting Ridiculous

buickanddeere · May 11, 2019

Those long lean batteries were just a poor idea . Time to weld a battery box large enough for two group 31 batteries .

oldtanker · May 11, 2019

SV, gotta agree, I had my son in law pick up the ones I ordered, Decka's . Hope they last more than just a couple of years.

B&D yea that's what I'm thinking. Next time it need batteries it's time to change over.

Rick

K Effective · May 11, 2019

I had a hard time charging/jumping my one tractor a few weeks ago, started looking to make it start easier. Wanted to replace the two group 5D six volts with two twelve volts, but the six volt batteries are 1000CCA each, AND I couldn't find 12 volts the same size. Today I picked up two brand new JD six volt batteries and they made all new cables for me as well- 2/0 welding cables with crimped ends and shrink wrap.

I was just about finished putting all back together when it was time for dinner with Mom and MIL here tonight, hope to finish it tonight. New batteries $142 each plus $98 for three cables. I'll let you know of this solves some of the problem.

karl f · May 11, 2019

200+ dollars is a lot of money. If the
tractor sits months at a time, buy a 20
dollar (usually less than 1 watt output)
solar cell maintainer. If you gain a year
or two battery life, it is money well
spent. Also, good cables are a must on dual battery systems. We had the same side battery go bad more often than the other side. One was getting 12 volts charging and the other was getting none (over simplified for the story) because the cable should have been replaced long ago. Get rid of the bolt together emergency-only battery clamps too!

Karl f

55 50 Ron · May 11, 2019

What kind of tractor? Changing 2 six volts out for 2 twelve volts calls for CAUTION. Is the system 6 volts now? What is your goal? Are you changing the system over to 12 volts?

T in NE · May 13, 2019

3ee is 6v, 3eh is 12 by my memory.

oldtanker · May 13, 2019

(quoted from post at 20:44:41 05/11/19) What kind of tractor? Changing 2 six volts out for 2 twelve volts calls for CAUTION. Is the system 6 volts now? What is your goal? Are you changing the system over to 12 volts?

Lot of the IH diesels were 2 6 volts hooked in series to produce 12 volts. If a guy goes with 2 12 volts gotta go parallel to stay at 12 volt. May have to go to heavier cables to handle the amperage.

Rick

HFJ · May 13, 2019

(quoted from post at 03:57:23 05/13/19)

(quoted from post at 20:44:41 05/11/19) What kind of tractor? Changing 2 six volts out for 2 twelve volts calls for CAUTION. Is the system 6 volts now? What is your goal? Are you changing the system over to 12 volts?

Click to expand...

Lot of the IH diesels were 2 6 volts hooked in series to produce 12 volts. If a guy goes with 2 12 volts gotta go parallel to stay at 12 volt. May have to go to heavier cables to handle the amperage.

Rick

twice the voltage equals half the amperage. u don't need heavier cables to switch from 6 to 12 volts. you'd need heavier cables to switch from 12 to 6 volts.

caterpillar guy · May 14, 2019

Tanker We have already changed ours to 31's with the stud top. Less fooling around and 1 battery will start them just fine even in cold weather. We have done this on 806,1466,and 4166 will do it on our 856 when the time comes. 2940 Deere got the conversion when we changed that too.
The reason for going to the stud top was 2 fold no clamp business to fool with getting over tightened and the ols batteries from my semi would get used in the tractors to finish out the rest of the set.

Interesting situation regarding batteries.

oldtanker

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dzc3

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oldtanker

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SVcummins

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Bill in IL

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fastfarmall

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oldtanker

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SVcummins

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buickanddeere

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oldtanker

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K Effective

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karl f

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55 50 Ron

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T in NE

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oldtanker

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HFJ

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caterpillar guy

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