I just gots-ta know why switch to 12 volts?

There are reasons for converting but cold weather starts ain't among them.

YOur mileage may vary

It is easier to jumpstart the tractor if it has 12V.
It is easier to use the tractor to jumpstart my old truck, if the tractor has a 12 battery like the truck has.
It is easier to find 12V accessories, such as: sprayer, lights, DVD player, travel fridge (for to keep the drinks cool....)
I seem to remember that I needed 12V to use the Pertronix ignition. 12V systems get bj8nmt all spun up and animated.
My generator was all worn out and needed rebuild, and I decided I liked an alternator better than Thomas Edison's original DC Generator. The tractor does not start any better or run any better with 12V. But I like it, and that's all that matters to me. I am now going to do some bush hogging on my NAA, and I will watch "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" on it's 12Volt DVD system, while I drink cold ones from the 12V travel fridge, while I talk on my hands-free cell phone (12V) and shave my face with a 12V Norelco, and use my laptop to surf the internet, and I use a 12V GPS system to make sure I don't get lost on my 6.5 acre Bar B Ranch. (It's a thousand feet from one end to other, after all, and there are no trees to use as landmarks!) All while riding on my NAA. I will be very busy out there. Very busy. I love 12V.....

The way I see it???

It's like going to walmart to buy software for a Apple computer when the rest of the real world has uses PC's LOL

My laughing might vary and I laugh for all the right reasons !!

ROFL

Have a good one.

later"Belch"dave

Steveo

Some switch to be able to run 12 volt attachements/implements such as sprayers. Good reason

Some switch because the 6 volt system is hard starting. Bad reason! Fix what's wrong with the 6 volt system!

Having said all this, I converted my 48 8N to 12 volts last November and am very pleased with the conversion. Did I have to? No! My wiring was bad and I was going to re-wire and I needed a new battery. I had a spare 12 volt battery and an alternator. So I did it because it was cheaper than buying a new 6 volt battery. Could I have just re-wired and bought a bew 6 volt battery? Sure. My choice!

Danny

One of my two six volt 8n's missed a start last winter in the banana belt of Montana and it wasn't the tractor's fault. [Details on request]

Like Dell I can imagine situations where converting makes sense but no where near as many situations as there are conversions out there.

YOur mileage may vary

As far as a 12 volt, it is more forgiving (other than able to power 12 volt accessories). It spins the starter faster. An alternator (if you use the GM) has an internal regulator that does not have points or settings. It just works. Once set up, it will run longer without preventive maintenance. The higher voltage is more forgiving of loose or dirty connections.

Is one better than the other? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If your 6 volt system works or can be made to work easily, why change? On the other hand, if it is shelled, and you have a working tractor, generally, and I say generally, a 12 volt system will give you less grief.

Remember there are exceptions to every rule. I once worked for a company whose only work rule was "All rules apply except when they don't".

JU

12-volt pro: no maintenance, cranks/starts better in the cold, you can jump start your wife's car. Also, I tend to get behind on cutting the grass, the 12 volts gives me lots of light for mowing at dusk.

If I was gonna restore mine, I'd go back to 6-volts for the originality, but for an everyday worker, I like the 12 volts.

I am a 12 volt advocate for the right reasons, that said, I haven't found the right reason to convert my eazy starting 6 volt 52 8N to 12 volts and I know how to do it right.