[AT] 12-volt conversion (OT)

[Dean Van Peursem]

Dudley,

I too have difficulty making the change but we antique tractor owners in NW WA
state are a bit spoiled regarding the extreme cold temperatures that the guys
East of us have to deal with. But I still maintain a tractor properly tuned with
a good combustion chamber condition shouldn't have to make the change. The last
winter we spent in NW IA we had 26 days in a row where it didn't get above zero
and typical night time lows were -40. I had a 56 Ford Crown Victoria that stood
outside in that temperature every night and would start every morning but when
trying to start it, it felt like the crank was boring groves in the oil. Wiped
out the automatic transmission on that car due to getting stuck in a snow drift.
Panicked, because my wife was about to give birth to our second daughter and
traded it in on a new 62 Ford Fairlane. Got the new car home the day before.
This new car stood out all night and my wife told me at 6:00AM the next morning
that it was time to go to the hospital. Yep, that new sucker wouldn't start. I
was fit to be tied. I also now wish I had that 56 Ford Crown Victoria back. One
of my most favorite cars that I have ever owned. 

BTW, for some odd and unknown reason, our home address the next winter was Le
Mesa, CA. :-) 

Dean Van Peursem
Snohomish, WA

If we take the time to count our blessings we don't have time to complain.


-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Dudley Rupert
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 2:09 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] 12-volt conversion (OT)

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

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