[AT] 12-volt conversion (OT)

[Mike Sloane]

I will give you my reasons for doing the conversions: when faced by the 
prospect of replacing the battery, generator, lights, and regulator on a 
"project" tractor, it was actually cheaper to just convert it to 12 volt 
alternator. Several of my "bargain" tractors came to me in that state. 
The second reason was that I used to plow two miles of private lane, 
first with a Farmall Cub and then with a Ford 860. I found out that 
neither tractor would start when the temperatures got down into the 
teens, and even when they did start and run, the drain from the lights 
would get ahead of the generator unless I kept the engine running at 
high speed. (and even then, the 6 volt lights were nothing to write home 
about.) Converting to 12 volt alternator gave me sure fire starting and 
bright lights.

On the Farmall 340, the battery is hung out behind the seat with a long 
cable to the starter. I did everything I could to get the starter (which 
was checked by a shop and found to be good) to spin over quickly on 6 
volts, even in warm weather, and finally just gave up. Converting to 12 
volts made all the difference in the world.

The third reason for wanting 12 volt negative ground is so that I could 
install a Pertronix electronic ignition. Every tractor I have converted 
has had more power, started better, and ran smoother after the 
conversion. And I never will have to screw around with those crappy 
Chinese points again (and on the Farmalls, it is especially difficult, 
owing to the position of the distributor).

Mike

Dudley Rupert wrote:
> 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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