6 volt or 12 volt

[ScottyD'sdad]

12 volt conversions are for quitters, unless you need it for some kind of accessory.

Al

I'm not a quitter, just a cheap old coot! Replacing the generator and regulator, with a new part, costing half as much as a generator rebuild, and a battery for half the cost of a 6 volt battery, and the battery has a 5 year or better warranty, instead of a 1 year warranty. Not easy being cheap, but somebody has to do it!
Ed

[Super A]

12 volt conversions are for quitters, unless you need it for some kind of accessory.

Al

I'm not a quitter, just a cheap old coot! Replacing the generator and regulator, with a new part, costing half as much as a generator rebuild, and a battery for half the cost of a 6 volt battery, and the battery has a 5 year or better warranty, instead of a 1 year warranty. Not easy being cheap, but somebody has to do it!
Ed

Batteries are almost exactly the same price down here, 6 or 12. Last one I got for about $75 because I had a coupon from Tractor Supply. I usually average 5 years out of a 6v battery. But 12 is better than 6 because it's 6 x 2!

Al

[1954Frank]

I like 6 volts but I certainly understand the appeal of 12 volts. And alternators. And electronic ignition. My 6 volt experience is limited to 2 old Chevy trucks and a Allis Chalmers tractor. Most troubles I had were with bad connections and 1 bad regulator. And not understanding how the light switch cutout worked on the AC.

[inairam]

It depends on how you enjoy the hobby. I am not a purist. I like LED lights, electronic ignition, stainless steel bolts in high corrosion areas, modern multi-weight oils, real seals in the hydraulic pump, alternators in the 12ver for the generator, powder coat paint where I can and anything.

I just think there needs to be a reason to switch and easy of starting is not one of them.

My tractors are all workers not for shows. I tell them when I get them _ " I will take care of you but If you do not start reliability you will become a parts tractor and you know what that means!" That seems to do it. My 6 volters start fine.

There are some posts on the site about using 8 volts batteries in the 6 volter to help with starting and ideas about adjusting the regulator. My point is if you are going to do all of that effort and cost why not really go through and tune up the cub and use a multi-weight oil and it starts fine. They were 6 v from 1947-64 -17 years out of 32 years.

I can start my 6 volts in 2nd gear with the pto engaged to a mott mower do demonstrate a point.

[BIGHOSS]

6 volt=original......12 volt=dependable

[tmays]

12 volt conversions are for quitters, unless you need it for some kind of accessory.

Al

I'm not a quitter, just a cheap old coot! Replacing the generator and regulator, with a new part, costing half as much as a generator rebuild, and a battery for half the cost of a 6 volt battery, and the battery has a 5 year or better warranty, instead of a 1 year warranty. Not easy being cheap, but somebody has to do it!
Ed

Sounds more like good sense to me

[T-Mo]

My '47 was converted to 12V by a previous owner, while my '50 is still 6V. I haven't noticed any significant differences in how each one starts versus the other one. Unless I have a reason to change, the '50 will stay 6V, while the '47 will stay 12V.

[Urbish]

If you converted to 120,000V, you wouldn't need wires anymore. Zap zap, zoom!

[SONNY]

I gotta have 12-v to run my sprayers! ---plus the newer cubs are already 12-v,----IH finally got smart! ---My spray cub is a 72 or 73 year. Best spray tractor around, easy to get where the big boys only dream of going!

[pickerandsinger]

If you converted to 120,000V, you wouldn't need wires anymore. Zap zap, zoom!

.....You're more right than you know..."Hot Sticking" 115,000 volts can draw an arch starting about six feet from the conductor when picking up a few miles of new line (no load)........I prefer 12 volts now a days....

[T-Mo]

Hmm, it appears most of the posts here is advocating 12V, but the poll as of 7:10 am CST on a Tuesday morning, July 2, is showing a slight nudge towards 6V.....

[Scrivet]

I was going to vote, but I don't see "I don't give a volt" as a choice.

[DickB]

My vote for 6v just nudged this group ahead by one vote. It is a challenge, being a non-mechanical, non-electrical kind of grease guy who loves his Cub. I was initially attracted to the Cub due to it's design...and I'm still liking it. Once onboard, I got infected by that '50s design idea that included everything great about the Cub. The 6 volt system was just part of the package...and I hope to keep it that way.

Not that I have not had challenges in the 6v world...I sure have. Generator, lots of voltage regulators, batteries, ammeter...it is a bit of a circus now and then. What keeps me safely in 6v-world is this: a voltage maintainer for the battery that is on full time when the Cub is parked in the barn. That "wisdom" came from the fellow who sells USA-made VRs...he said it is key to VR survival. And, for winter starting, there's additionally an oil pan heater and a water line heater...both go on about 40 minutes before I want to plow snow. With all this "bracing" of the old fellow, the Cub, 6v and all, moves about with it's 1950s great looks and cool work ethic of "can do" intact. I rest my fragile case. Vote 6v!

[clintmo]

I'm really surprised at how close the vote is. And how entertained I am by watching it.

I voted 6v, by the way. I like original. However if I didn't have this forum and Cubfests (and Gary Dotson, specifically) I'd probably go 12v.

Clint

[grnspot]

My 61 Lo Boy had been (poorly) converted to 12V before I got it, so it made more sense to by "mini" alternator & finish the conversion. Otherwise, I would have left it 6V. I have three other small 6V tractors that will stay that way!