Do I have 6 volt or 12 volt starter?

[wfmdfm]

I picked up a 48 Cub. It runs great. It is in need of some electrical work. The lights, light switch, and generator are in a cardboard box. It has a mag. There is no wiring harness. It has a 12 volt battery connected to the starter. How do I determine if the starter is a 6 volt or 12 volt? Same with the generator. My guess is its a 6 volt with a 12 volt battery but how do I confirm that?
Wally

[Eugene]

Starter voltage. Either 6 or 12 volt will work - no change required. Only noticeable difference is that the 6 volt starter with 12 volt battery will crank the engine a bit faster.

Black identification tag = 6 volt. Red = 12 volt. No tag write down the numbers stamped on the generator or starter case. You can cross reference the numbers, either in the service manual or on the internet.

[ScottyD'sdad]

Wally, the 12 volt starters I've seen are larger diameter,than the 6 volt ones. These may be just from on the later models, I'm not sure. I have several tractors converted to 12 volts, with the original starters. Ed

[Arthur Luke]

From TM Tractors

6volt

12 volt

[Matt Kirsch]

It would be strange if you had a 12 Volt starter in that 48 Cub. You surely have a 6 Volt starter.

[Rudi]

Wally:

You are most likely correct in your initial assessments. Probably what has happened is that the PO simply converted over to a 12 volt battery. May have also changed out the bulbs to 1144's as well. If you want it more original, a 6 volt battery is relatively inexpensive. The genny and the cut-out should be 6 volt as well. Remember a '48 is positive ground and the ammeter may still be wired that way.

[wfmdfm]

Well thanks for the help here. There are black tags on the gen and the starter. The PO just used a 12 volt battery. I will put it back to 6 volts and make up the harness to fit. There is no amp-meter now or any lighting but plan to put it all back as it should be.
Wally

[Buzzard Wing]

The second clue after the size, is the switch. Factory 12v the switch is on the dash, so the 'hot' (big) wire is routed through the dash. 6V hot wire is much larger and would be tough to route 'through' the dash.