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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
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12 Volt Conversion

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1934 Ford

12-31-2003 17:03:34




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I recently retired and purchased a 1948 Ford 8N to play with on my my daughter and son-in-law's 28 acre hobby farm. I used to drive an 8N on my uncle's farm when I was a kid and have always had a soft spot for this amazing little tractor. As a novice I have to ask a question. What is/are the advantages of converting to 12 volts. About the only thing I have read is that if you need to jump start another vehicle, having 12 volts in your 8N can be handy. What would the "Right reason" be to do this?
I enjoy this discussion board very much, a great service.

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Joe (IN)

01-01-2004 11:49:03




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 Re: 12 Volt Conversion in reply to 1934 Ford, 12-31-2003 17:03:34  
Congratulations on your retirement and excellent choice of a new toy! This topic often gets heated debates started and that is something that I never could understand. All arguements for and against a 12 volt conversion have merit. Some are a little weaker than others, but they all have some weight. Once you get past all the bickering, the simple truth of the matter is that unless you honestly intend to run implements that require a 12 volt accessory feed or you are afraid of the dark and need 1,000,000 candlepower worth of lights to see where you are going, you don't need 12 volts for anything. All four of my Fords are still 6 volts and I've never had any need for any more than that. Some complain that 6 volt lights aren't as bright, but mine are just as bright as my truck's. No you can't use your 6 volt tractor to jump start your wife's car after she leaves the dome light on all night, but a 12 volt battery charger with a start kicker is 40 bucks. A 12 volt conversion for your tractor is $200 by the time you buy a kit and a battery. You do the math. A non-functioning charging system alone doesn't warrant a conversion, either. The charging systems on these tractors are really simple and can be troubleshot in about 10 minutes with nothing more than a couple hunks of wire and a cheap voltmeter or a good working ammeter. Often it can be repaired for less than $30 worth of brushes and a new regulator - and much quicker and cheaper than you can do a conversion. Sometimes it's just a metter of a rusty or loose connection. The key to living well with a 6 volt system is making sure it stays in good shape. They aren't as tolerant of poor, dirty connections as a higher voltage. Whatever you do, don't convert just because your tractor is hard to start. Something else is wrong. A cold N in good tune will start in less than 2 revolutions of the engine on 6 volts. Only you can make the right decision for you. But as Dell always says, make sure that if you convert, you're doing it for the right reasons.

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Dell (WA)

01-01-2004 11:25:23




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 Re: 12 Volt Conversion in reply to 1934 Ford, 12-31-2003 17:03:34  
I've always said that I was a 12 volt advocate for the right reasons. That said, I haven't found the right reason for my eazy starting 6 volt '52 8N. And I know how to convert it right, the first time. And its not because I'm an "originality nut" eather. The EMF hasn't moved me.

Problem with 12 volt conversions, most are done for the "WRONG REASON".

When Ol'Bubba down at the local spittin'-n-whittlin' club sez: "yep, thats tha' thing too due, converter to 12 volts" and pulls 'nutter' swigg onnna the barley popps. And everybodys heads nodd in sage agreement. WRONG REASON!

Worst reason to convert to 12 volts: "its hard to start". Well yeah, wornout engines are hard to start. Engines that need a tune-up are also hard to start. 12 volts is just a bandaid masking a bigger problem.

'Nutter wrong reason: "starters bad". How do you know? To ears used to modern zippy starters on rice-rocket sewing machine engines, yep, N-Starters are SLOOoow, not necessarily bad.

Last wrong reason: the electrically challenged re-engineered 12 conversion. Because there is NO STANDARD WAY to convert 12 volts (I know of 7-ways), some shadetree mechanics figger a little of "plan-A" plus some of "plan-B" and I'll have a jim-dandy 12 volt conversion. I read and answer this problem all the time.

The ONLY TIME I would advocate a 12 volt system over 6 volt system, is when the economics of repairing a "BAD 6 VOLT" system exceeds the cost of a 12 volt conversion.

As I say, there's nothing wrong with eather system, and if'n you want to convert to 12 volts for whatever reason, thats OK by me, I just haven't found a reason for me.

Remember the 6 volt MANTRA: "keep 'em clean, bright, and tight". And don't be fer usin enny of them thar wimpy ferrin made battery cables. Gettcha sum 'mericun made 'arry chested one-aught (1/0) thick as yer thumb battery cables..... ...respectfully, Dell

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1934 Ford

01-01-2004 12:17:54




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 Re: Re: 12 Volt Conversion in reply to Dell (WA), 01-01-2004 11:25:23  
I appreciate the replies. I got exactly what I was looking for, constructive comments from people with experience. Where else can a person get this kind of help, this is great.
Regards
34 Ford



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RWK in WI

01-01-2004 06:55:49




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 Re: 12 Volt Conversion in reply to 1934 Ford, 12-31-2003 17:03:34  
I have several older tractors and all are converted to 12v. My reasons are:
I can use batteries in cars or trucks for a few years and then move them to tractors and put new ones in the vehicles.
I can jump start vehicles from the tractor and I can safely let others use the tractors for jump starting.
In the cold weather the tractors are often better starting at remote sites where there is no power for engine heaters.
I can use 12 V accessoreies and lights.
Many of the tractors have snowblowers an I like plenty of light when working at night.
I hope this is of help to you.

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Mike OH

12-31-2003 18:35:31




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 Re: 12 Volt Conversion in reply to 1934 Ford, 12-31-2003 17:03:34  
Well, the right reason for me was the 52 8N I bought to rebuild as a retirement project five years ago, came with a new 12 volt battery, coil, and a disassembled alternator. All of the wires were stripped from the alternator and everything was all botched up when I got it. In fact, it barely would run and then it was only off the battery. I decided it would be a challenge to do it correctly and that's exactly what I did. It surely was rewarding, and under the circumstances would do it all over again. Can't say it starts any earier than my 6 volt Jubilee, but the starter surely does turn over faster.
Good luck in your retirement.
Mike OH
'52 8N 515798

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raytasch

12-31-2003 17:54:34




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 Re: 12 Volt Conversion in reply to 1934 Ford, 12-31-2003 17:03:34  
Welcome to the world of retirement. The forum is a little quiet tonight and I usually don't get into the 6vs12 volt discussion but I'll make an exception. The only two reasons I would consider converting is if I had known major electrical system failure such that mandated a generator, regulator, and battery replacement. Then conversion would be economically sound. Second reason would be that I needed to run high demand 12 volt electrical accessories. That said, there is nothing inherently wrong with a 6 volt system. Problem is, most of these old systems have been misunderstood, neglected and misused over the past half century. I have two bone stock Ford tractors that do very well with 6 volts and two tractors with 12 volt systems, one a converted 850. Know what, they all work well. IMO, if your N is stock in all other respects it would be kinda sad to modify it. Dell will probably weigh in on this with his story of Bubba and barly pops. (G)
ray

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