M 12v with 6v stuff

[treesitter]

Greetings. A few months ago I acquired a 49 M, distributor ignition. The person I got it from said it is a 12v set up and had a worn out 12v battery, which needed jumped or charged about everytime I have needed to move the tractor since I got it. Which has only been a few times. About a month ago, in the evening I went to start it, flooded it, drained the battery, which didn't take long. At nearly dark, I put the charger on it and of course I thought I knew which was black/red, but suffice to say I should have used a flashlight. Of course realized mistake immediately but too late. Wouldn't even attempt to turn over; no pop at all. Assuming I fried something, I finally got around to ordering parts. I was hoping it would be the coil or condenser, but it needed more stuff anyway- new plugs, wires, rotor, dist cap. All were pretty bad. But the coil I took off is a 6v coil. So I ordered the same thing. The only thing in this arena I did not replace were the points, but I did buy a set. Put new condenser, coil, rotor, dist cap, plugs/wires on and the old battery back on after charging for a while. But apparently wasn't charged enough as nothing happened when I went to start it (metered it then and only 8v). Put the charger back on for while, came back and tried again and it barely wanted to turn (yes new battery is in order too). But I put my hand on the coil and it was hot. Nearly too hot to keep my hand on for very long. And here it now sits.

I am no expert by far on the electrical. I have a C and a Cub and both are still 6v systems. I have never looked to far into the 12v conversion stuff because, well, I had no reason to. Both the C and Cub work fine and I fully support "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

So I am wondering what I actually have here. Can this operate w/ 12v battery, 6v coil? It did until I mucked it up. Any thoughts? Need more info or photos? Anything helpful. Even negative criticism I suppose.

Thanks, Andy

[outdoors4evr]

A 6v coil can survive in a 12v system if there is a resistor in series to consume the "extra" 6V. Look to see if the coil has a resistor attached to the power lead.

[treesitter]

Update: after charging the battery more I just went out and it fired right up. But I would still like to figure out what I have. Need to get a new battery and see if the system is even charging correctly as I suspect it isn't. I suppose if it is, I'll just leave well enough alone. If it isn't, then I'll go from there.

[treesitter]

Thanks Outdoors4evr. I did not see a resistor in play in the system. Positive lead goes into the box where the light switch is. And of course the negative lead is screwed onto the side of the housing of the points etc.

This is the coil I put on. Identical to what was on it. Should I have bought a 12v coil? I just went with what was there....

https://www.steinertractor.com/ABC011-6 ... butor-Coil

[treesitter]

Perhaps I should have purchased this one?

https://www.steinertractor.com/ABC509-1 ... -resisted-

[Eugene]

You can purchase a Chrysler ballast resister from the auto parts store for a few dollars. Much cheaper than purchasing another coil.

The ballast resister is wired inline, between the ignition switch and the coil.

The ballast resister will drop the battery voltage to around 6 volts at the ignition points.

[Gary Dotson]

In hindsight, yes, you should have gotten the 12v. coil, but as Eugene mentioned, you can add a ballast resister and use what you have. You really need to look under the hood and see what's there for a charging system. Does it have an original looking generator or a more modern alternator. You need to determine if the tractor was completely converted, to 12v. or just had a 12v. battery installed.

[Eugene]

You really need to look under the hood and see what's there for a charging system. Does it have an original looking generator or a more modern alternator. You need to determine if the tractor was completely converted, to 12v. or just had a 12v. battery installed.

If the electrical system is still a generator and voltage regulator, you can easily and inexpensively convert to a single wire 12 volt alternator.