Farmall Cub

I've decided to convert to 12V and been reading the posts on the Hitachi 14231 alternator and ordered it at O'Reillys, asking for an alternator for 1978 Datsun pickup. The parts guy said I needed to buy an external regulator to go with it but that seems to contradict everything I've read. Does this alternator have an internal regulator? If I had to buy an external, it wouldn't be worth it to use this alternator, the regulator they wanted to sell with it costs more than the alternator.
Gerry

This one is right up boss Hogs alley. I bet he will chime in on this.
I went with the one wire 10si, + universal bracket set and extra small pulley due to my 48 cub smaller generator fan pulley.
Dave

Vague memory. I think about that time that different models of the Datsun pickup used different alternators. I think my 1977 used an external regulator. If you have the number correct ( and it looks right to me) , that one has internal regulator. That number is not a Hitachi part number but is a number used in the rebuilding industry-- perhaps a Lester number.

Check Amazon and eBay for this alternator. Free shipping in some cases-- delivered to your door. No burn your expensive gasoline.

Just buy the Delco clone single wire alternator and be done with it. Under $50- most places. And it will fit under the hood of a standard Cub.

I put an Hitachi 14231on my cub a year or so ago. I did not put an external regulator on the conversion. The alternator itself is very compact, easy to install and does what an alternator should do.

Tom

I installed a hitachi alternator several years ago. I don't remember the part number, but there is no external regulator. I used a price of all-thread and jam nuts to attach it to the original generator bracket.

Follow the instructions here - 12 Volt Conversion with a Hitachi 14231 Alternator.

A couple of naive questions about this swap: Don't you need to change out the starter, as well? Or if you don't, and you hook the + to the starter terminal, won't the starter run backwards?

RustyKnuckles wrote:won't the starter run backwards?

No, the starter won't know the difference, it will still spin the right way.

Hmmmm...... Not sure I understand why the starter keeps turning the right way, but...

Anyway -
What happens if you run the 6v starter on 12v? Obviously shorter lifespan? Smoke and fire?

RustyKnuckles wrote:What happens if you run the 6v starter on 12v? Obviously shorter lifespan? Smoke and fire?

You will notice that the starter cranks over the engine faster. Other than that - nothing.

I have 3 tractors that were originally 6 volt. Owned some of these tractors for 15 or more years. Only had to repair one starter on a 60 plus year old tractor.

Also had one alternator fail in that time period. Alternator was on the tractor when I purchased it.

I posted this in the wrong section, please move.
Might be helpful for Cub also.
I did the conversion today on my SA using Hitachi 14255 alternator, just a little bigger and more current than the 14231, same connections, same price. I decided to go with this one since it's used on later vehicles, so I thought it'd be available longer than the older version. Also, at O'Reilly's, it comes with the connector while the 14231 doesn't. Both have internal regulators.

Gerry

Does the alternator charge and does the engine start and run?

yes, all works. Starter turns fast with a 12v battery, alternator charges. I mowed with it for awhile to test everything, no problems.
Gerry

I've used probably twenty 14231 alternators. $42 refurb on Amazon. you need a diode on L term as shown above 1N4004 will be plenty. I don't use the resister.. the internal circuit is plenty for current limiting.
The one wire NAPA one is a good as well.