[AT] 12-volt conversion (OT)

[Dudley Rupert]

Given enough time, money and an over active imagination we can do most
anything to our antique tractors.  We can convert them to 12-volt systems
... heck; we can even convert them to 24 volt if the fancy so strikes us.

But, in their responses to this thread, Dean and Steve both asked the "why"
question which I've often asked myself.  I am curious ...can those of you
who have made the 12-volt conversion tell us the reason why you did it?  I
think all the six-volt tractors I have were initially introduced with "hand
starters" - i.e., crank or flywheel.  I expect these tractors to start, even
with a half dead battery, with just a couple of turns of the flywheel.  If
they don't I check corrosion/cables/points/etc but I've never seen a
need/reason to convert to 12 volts.  Of course, I can understand that if
you've added a bunch of lights or say a cab with a heater with a big blower
motor then you may need more current generation capability and that could be
a reason when going to a bigger generator to just go to 12 volt while you're
at it.

Thanks -
Dudley