converting to 12 volt

H

huntingpal

Well-known member
Would like some input from those that have converted to 12 volt. I am looking for all the info I can get as to which alternator to go with delco or hitachi. and also what other items will need to be replaced, like coil ect. Thanks for all input.
 
my 53 was converted by a previous owner. It has the single wire delco alternator, still had the original 6 volt starter, coil and points etc.

I understand the starter can take the 12 volts if you dont crank on it for an undue amount of time .

the only issue I have is the bracket wasnt changed and I had to rig up an offset to bring the alternator out enough to have proper belt tension.
 
Use a Delco 10 SI alternator. You can get them rebuilt and ready to go for $45 at Advance Auto Parts around here, and they will knock off some money if you bring a "core" in. I get the 3 wire alternator with the built in voltage regulator. I just re-wired a Farmall Super A last night with a homemade harness and hooked up a new Delco 10 SI alternator on it. Works great as it should!!

If you need help wiring it in, go to the website below and follow this diagram. ALthough it says its for a Farmall M tractor, it is also for ANY Farmall with the 12 volt conversion. Its really funny how simple it is once you do it. REMEMBER TO PURCHASE A ($.30 CENT ) DIODE FROM AN ELECTRONIC SUPPLY COMPANY, AND SOLDER IT INLINE WITH THE ALTERNATOR WIRE RUNNING TO THE AMMETER. It is used in place of the "warning light". Just my preference because it is hidden and everything looks original as far as wiring and up on the dash.

http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m46/ ... _22_08.gif
 
will the delco fit under the hood with no problems? I have read that the hitachi is smaller. Also will I have to replace the coil?? Thanks
 
You can either replace the coil with a 12V one, or else wire up an external ballast resistor is series with the coil.

A 12V tractor coil is usually just a 6V coil with an internal ballast resistor.
 
Here ya go, you'll want a Napa Delco 213 401 1SW it will kick in a lower rpm's than the 10SI so you won't need to change pulleys.
The Napa coil with built in resistor is IC14SB

There's plenty of room under the hood, you'll need to fab a different bottom mount but the top brace can be reused with a little bending.
 
I checked some prices today and it is better than I thought. Does the Delco you listed have a built in regulator or will I need to use the one on the tractor? Anything else need replaced while I am at it?? Thanks
 
huntingpal":16n2ixuj said:
I checked some prices today and it is better than I thought. Does the Delco you listed have a built in regulator or will I need to use the one on the tractor? Anything else need replaced while I am at it?? Thanks
Click to expand...
Regulator is built in... :lol: See, it's easier than you thought. :lol:
RUSTY2":16n2ixuj said:
Why are you converting?
seeing this on cubs disappoints me to no end
Click to expand...

Me too, when it's a botched up bad looking job.
My time is pretty limited so I need it to be ready and dependable, that's exactly what I've found the 12 volt system to be.... :{_}:
 
huntingpal":2hszimme said:
will the delco fit under the hood with no problems? I have read that the hitachi is smaller. Also will I have to replace the coil?? Thanks
Click to expand...

Check this out
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=47965

use the part #s Yogie gave you you will need a 26 series Battery I use a 26R

You will not regret doing it I am sure.

Boss
 
I am loking at the conversion to help my cub be more ready when I am. I work allot of overtime at my main job as well as run a taxidermy buisness in my spare time. With what is left of my time I have a wife and kids. And hunting allot. SOOO no spare time left anymore to tinker with the tractors. It needs to run when I need it to. The 6 volt batteries just don't seem to last a couple years (one I just got a hyear ago is junk now) tired of jump starting ect ect. Boss will take your advice and order your choice tomarrow thanks
 
the 59 is the one I am working with at this time. I will look at the 48 and the 59 and see what the diference is. Is it just the pulley size? Also will I need anything else besides the alternator coil and battery while I am at the Napa store?? Thanks again
 
PM sent. :D

Do you plan to attend the Tug next weekend ?
You can check one of mine out, ask questions.
We'll be switching one over Thursday if you would like to join in.
 
would love to come BUT i am covered up at work. at this time of year we are working 6 sometimes 7 days a week. so stuck there for the next couple months. :( :(
 
Some will be Politically correct police and have a stroke that you went 12.. Hey IH got smart and went 12 volt alternators too. Further a single wire is cheaper than a generator and regulator, more reliable and takes less maintenance. Guess what I did??? Sort of a no brainer!!!!!!!!!!!! I bent the bracket so that I could use the original belt but if that hadn't worked I would have used a shorter belt. Detroit went alternator, Japan went alternator, are they any better than you are????
 
On my '52 fcub the po had spaggetti wiring on a 10si alternator and i told him it wasn't charging when i purchased it. He insisted that it was. Of course when the new battery ran low i knew it wasn't charging. After removing all the extra wiring and putting a few wires in the right spot i had it charging in minutes. Now that my fcub is sick and in the ER room being overhauled i'm going to convert the 10si alternator to a 1 wire alternator and boost the output to 105amps. On my hobart welder thats gas powered i burned out something in the charging stator. Since i have a box of the 10si alternators left over from stripping all the early 70's GM trucks I grabbed one and changed it over to the 1 wire setup. Its awesome and works great. I can't wait to try it out on my fcub and my int154 with the fel/backhoe project tractor soon too. My int154 may get a bigger output since i plan on having it all lit up front and rear for diggin at night. I purchased a few kits from the net to change the 10si over to a 1 wire setup. One kit i got the upgrade stator too. I like having parts on the shelf so when things go bad i can repair it right away. Bill

Go to; http://www.alternatorparts.com then in the search box put in "10si one wire kit" a list will come up with the std 1 wire kit, 80amp kit and the 105amp upgrade with the 1 wire kit. Becareful they offer positive or negative ground with there kits too. You need to choose the one for your application. There affordable too. I'm running the std kit in my welder right now.

BTW; I grew up on 6 volts and if we keep them tuned to perfection and have a good battery and charging system it will turn over very slow but she will start in colder weather. On the other hand its nice to have 12 volts, more power and brighter headlites. I found the air port run way lights that have 30k of candle power and there the same input as my cadet/154 12v headlites. Great for driving thru the field at night looking for mountainlions.
 
If you turn the alternator upside down you don`t have to change the lower bracket a simple 2 in offset piece bolt to the adjuster arm and you done
 
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