12 volt conversion Yea or Nay?

[ajhbike]

Alternator-$60. Bracket (I am not a great fabricator). Light bulbs and I pout a key start because the starter had the wrong post for the pull rod and a solenoid. I had bought 2 regulators and all the OO cables. Love the 12 volt!

 

[tmays]

When guys are stating price difference, they are usually talking about 12v alternator conversion vs components on 6v system. Day in and day out, the components of a 12v alternator system are a lot more reliable than 6v component system. I have six volt on some of mine and I do that for originality only for shows. Yes, six volts will crank fine if done properly, but for tractors that I depend on to fire up because I need a job done, it’s 12v

so what problems have you had that you deem it unreliable?

I wouldn’t necessarily call them unreliable, if you have good components. But that’s the problem. Good components have to be ordered. Can’t pick them up at the local parts store. But with 12v conversion, you can. And good components for a 6v(or 12v for that matter) generator systems are quite expensive to repair. For the cost of rebuilding generator or buying good vr, you can do 12V conversion. Without the down time if you have to order 6V components. Of course, you can buy extra and keep them on hand. But if alternator goes bad, take it off, go to parts store, and you’re back in business. 6V has its place, don’t get me wrong, but like Gary said, everyone made the switch to 12V for a reason. The only good reason to keep a 6V system when it goes bad is originality

 

[jsfarmall]

hard to jump start without causing damage, repairs are expensive alot of times.

I do not really agree with the first one. You always have to be careful jumping a battery for safety and prevent damage.

I have seen the cost issue stated here many times but that is not my experience. The guy I used to rebuild a generator when asked told me the price was the same for 6 or 12 to do a complete rebuild including the bushings. Batteries, that are of similar quality and specs are about the same price. Last year I just purchased a 6 v and a 12 v from an interstate battery store both fit in the battery box and the prices were very similar. A quick check on Steiner site the regulators are exactly the same price. I do not know why people keep saying there is such a big difference. I have not seen it.

My issue is I have not found 6 v electromechanical regulators that a reliable. I have tried import, US made, from TM ( who I do not think sells them anymore because of the reliability issues) and Brillman.

I have switched to electronic regulators on the 6 v and put them inside the Delco housing. You can find them on British Car restoration websites.

My experience is the 12v systems have more reliable regulators but if anything goes wrong with charging on one of my 12-volt cubs it gets the one wire alternator and some times they get it if the hood is off for another reason.

To each their own. Your tractor your choice. I don't care about how a battery fits as long as it works. I can get 12v alternator and battery for 100 bucks. Led light bulbs for 16 for both which work on 6 or 12v. So 116 dollars vs 90 dollars for 6v battery alone.

 

[Jim Becker]

. . . If 6volts is as good as 12volts, the entire U.S. automotive industry would not have made the change in 1955 & 1956.

With the ever increasing electrical equipment and corresponding load on new cars, they either needed to keep changing to heavier wiring or increase the voltage. You can imagine the current draw of a 6-volt A/C clutch.

There have been discussions of moving cars from 12 volts to 42 volts. As soon as that happens is everyone going to convert again? It must be better.

The electrical load on my '49 Cub isn't any higher today than it was in 1949.

 

[LeoM]

I am a 12 volt advocate. The new 1 wire 35 amp alternator from DB Electrical, Chevy Mini Alternator Denso Street Rod Race 1-Wire 12180, requires a simple bracket modification and a 12 v coil, of course you need a 12 v battery. You eliminate the voltage regulator because the alternator has 1 built in. The alternator cost is $51. No need to modify the hood. I have installed the alternator on 4 of my cubs (only 1 was a 6 v Conversion) and will do the rest as I go along.