[AT] 6V vs. 12V ignition question

[Kevin]

I have been running a Farmall 504 for the past 5 years on a Pertronix 
igniton.
And have never had a problem yet.
And I got it on ebay for $50.00

I am seriously considering going
to a Pertronix breakerless system,
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Sloane" <mikesloane at verizon.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2006 10:10 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] 6V vs. 12V ignition question


>I am no authority on this, but I will give you my 2 cents: The coils used 
>in most of the older ignition systems were designed for 6 volts, and when 
>the manufacturers (or owners) changed to 12 volts, rather than change the 
>coil, they just put a ballast resistor in series with the primary wire to 
>reduce the voltage to the coil.
>
> That being said, the condenser generally are not sensitive to something as 
> small as going from 6 to 12 volts, so I don't think that is your problem.
>
> If my all too frequent experience is any guide, I would look for corrosion 
> at the points - the current stuff coming in from abroad just isn't as good 
> as the points we used to get years ago (meaning they are crap, if you 
> really want my opinion). I have had points go to infinite resistance in as 
> little as a few months, if the weather is humid. The only quick cure is to 
> file the point with a good hard file, but that won't help their longevity 
> either, as it removes the supposedly corrosion resistant coating. Don't 
> count on the points "looking good"; you need a good voltmeter or ohmmeter 
> (depending whether you are measuring with the ignition on or off) to see 
> if they are making good electrical contact.
>
> One suggestion give to me is to put a piece of paper moistened with WD-40 
> in between the points when the tractor isn't in use. I keep forgetting to 
> try that. On my Ford 860, I am seriously considering going to a Pertronix 
> breakerless system, but I hate spending the $100 bucks just to fix a dirty 
> points problem.
>
> Mike
>
> Rick Weaver wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a problem, and I haven't been able to diagnose it just yet, but
>> wanted to ask a question.
>>
>> I have a 6V Ferguson TO-35 that is giving me fits.  I replaced the
>> condenser last week and it fired right up.  Now it doesn't even cough
>> and try to start.
>>
>> As I said, I haven't diagnosed anything (not even to see if the coil is
>> sparking).  And I'm at work now so cannot go tinker.
>>
>> The question is: is there a difference between the condenser for a 12V
>> system and one for a 6V system?
>>
>> The TO-35's went through a 6-12 V modification halfway through MHF's
>> production, and I wonder if NAPA's crossref doesn't take this into
>> account.
>>
>> Thanks for any help you can provide,
>> Rick
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>
>>
>
> -- 
> Mike Sloane
> Allamuchy NJ
> <mikesloane at verizon.net>
> Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
> Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>
>
> Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious
> enemy justice can have. -James Baldwin, writer (1924-1987)
>
>
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