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6 volt vs 12 volt

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F-Dean

09-25-2004 18:30:16

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I am getting ready to electrify an F-20. I have a choice of 6 volt or 12 volt. Would 12 volt be better? Would 12 volt batteries be cheaper at Wal-Mart? Would 12 volt be easier to start?

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thejdman01

09-26-2004 07:08:40

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to F-Dean, 09-25-2004 18:30:16

the truth is there are only honestly about 6 different battery manufac's around. they just get different cases and labels. you'll find this with most anything you buy at all anymore. case and point john deere 455 lawnmower. got to go to yanmar to get motor parts sunstrand to get rear end parts etc. the name doesn't mean a whole lot. with that being said though there are only 6 real manufac's but they are built to different specifications and standards. interstate and diehard in my opinion have good standards. i am partial to john deere but hate to spend the extra money however i honestly honestly have found very good success with their hibernator line especially in those tractors that dont get run as often as they should. i also have had alot of good and bad luck with battery plus batteries. one other thing i would like to mention is optima makes one h of a battery especially for tractors as they withstand vibration well and sometimes the deep cycling that occurs if she dont pop off right away like she should. i have had very good luck in all of the optima's ive had but they dont make the big d cells needed in my scrapers and toher things which leaves me going elsewhere for those. hope this helps. also what they guys were saying about proper wiring size and connections is definitly true.

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Hugh MacKay

09-27-2004 03:40:28

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to thejdman01, 09-26-2004 07:08:40

jdman: There may well be only six manufacturers of batteries, but just how many different batteries do each put out. Probably each and everyone of them have cheap crappy products, and as well top of the line batteries. Batteries will also vary greatly depending what climate a new machine is being sent.

Go into a store that carries a wide variety of batteries, lift a few of them, you will soon see what I mean by cheap. Then look at the specs on them. In your post you are really only talking mickey mouse use for batteries. Try looking at batteries that start 500 cubic inch engines in sub zero weather.

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teacher

09-26-2004 19:04:06

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to thejdman01, 09-26-2004 07:08:40

To thejdmanO1:
You really should learn how to correctly express yourself in english; it helps quite a bit if your going to live in this country. Your local high school could probably help you.

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txblu

09-26-2004 06:40:38

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to F-Dean, 09-25-2004 18:30:16

Go to the n board and call up "Dell WA"....the self appointed sparkey meister. He'll give you the straight skinny.

Mark

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Hugh MacKay

09-26-2004 03:19:58

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to F-Dean, 09-25-2004 18:30:16

F Dean: I think Jim gave it to you in a nutshell, cheap batteries no matter what the source will only cause you grief, 6 or 12 volt. Most of the electrical problems we read about on these pages are the result of people wanting to go cheap. I wont say all, but there are also a lot of after market ignition parts out there not up to the task at hand. I recently came across a set of points in a tractor, and less than 20% of actual point contact surfaces actually met.

Battery cables another source of problems, yes some of them too light even for 12 volt. These old tractor engines, even near the same displacment don't turn over as easy as a Honda Civic.

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Jim Calhoun

09-25-2004 20:36:03

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to F-Dean, 09-25-2004 18:30:16

I would stay with 6 volt. Just make sure to keep the system corrosion free, make sure all of the connections are good and make sure you are using the appropriate guage of wire. As to Wal-Mart batteries..... I have owned two of them. First time, shame on them, second time shame on me.
Never again will I take the time to install one on any of my vehicles or machinery. My 2 cents....

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Jeff In Ontario

09-25-2004 20:31:29

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to F-Dean, 09-25-2004 18:30:16

Personally speaking, I'm big on keeping things very original, thus i'd go 6 volt. I however love how the 12 volt systems start!

Jeff

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JMS/MN

09-25-2004 20:08:40

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to F-Dean, 09-25-2004 18:30:16

12V makes an easier starting machine. Don't know about IH, but some AC tractors had 12v positive ground systems with generators, so they looked like the older 6v systems, but ran 12v. Might be an option.

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gwb

09-25-2004 18:50:24

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to F-Dean, 09-25-2004 18:30:16

It depends. If you want authenticity, go with
6 volt.

Otherwise, there were very good reasons why the civilized world went to 12 volt. It's a lot easier and cheaper to carry volts than amps, so all the wires can be smaller, the connections don't need to be nearly so clean, and of course parts are easy to come by.

Once you decide what's important to you, it's a no-brainer.

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teacher

09-26-2004 19:14:58

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to gwb, 09-25-2004 18:50:24

You don't mean "authenticity", you mean "originality"

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paul

09-25-2004 18:40:58

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to F-Dean, 09-25-2004 18:30:16

I always like to stick with the original, never saw a point to convert to 12v.

However, if you are starting with a crank machine, I suppose 12v is going to be cheaper & you'll be doing your own wiring anyhow so might as well.

--->Paul

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09-26-2004 19:09:01

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to paul, 09-25-2004 18:40:58

I recently converted my Fergie TO-20 to 12 volts. I wanted to keep it as original as possible, so I had the generator rewound to 12 volts, used a '57 Buick voltage regulator and rewound the starter to 12 volts. The electrical system was basically junk, so it needed fixed anyhow. I used two Optima 6 volt batteries hooked in series. I have more than enough juice, the lights are brighter, and it allowed me to install an Ignitor electronic ignition system. The old Fergie starts first quarter crank and the generator provides all that the old tractor needs. True, if being cheap is your priority, this is not the way to go. I have about $400 in the conversion. I wanted reliability and versatility while maintaining as much originality as possible. I am pleased with the results. Regards.....P

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RayP(MI)

09-26-2004 10:06:25

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Re: 6 volt vs 12 volt in reply to paul, 09-25-2004 18:40:58

Since I needed to replace much of the electrical on the last tractor I redid, it was easier to go 12 volt. Lights were easily available - And I could put on the flashing hazard warning lights the manufacturer never thot of in 1956! I could run 12 volt trailer lights, spot lights, brighter headlights, oh, and yes, starting is much easier with 12v. An alternator is far more dependable, and higher output than a generator. Depends on your perspective. If you want to keep yer tractor pure, keep it at 6 and follow the hints the other posters have given, else, bring it into the more modern era, and make it compatable with every thing else on the farm!

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