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All this talk about 12v conversions.....

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6N's Short

06-06-2005 19:14:55

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What is involved on a 1944 2N to convert? I have to tell you that I am fundamentally opposed to taking original parts off the tractor and pitching them. On the other hand, I have a Farmall from the mid 50's that was converted by someone and you never tried a more reliable starter. Sat all last winter and when I pulled the starter last week it fired on the second crank. So do I have to replace anything serious on the tractor?

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Bruce (VA)

06-07-2005 12:29:23

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

Just for grins..... .scroll up the page to the post from Ken H, "8N will not stop running after the key is turned off". Read that, then ask yourself if you are planning to convert to 12v for the right reasons!

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6N's Short

06-07-2005 13:57:12

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to Bruce (VA), 06-07-2005 12:29:23

Yeah, it sounds fun. It works now and I am going to leave it at that. Think I'll get one of those VR's that look like the old cutout relays, though.
I'll miss the rustic look of that piece of bark holding the CR closed but the boiling battery will be a thing of the past!

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Rick H. Ga.

06-07-2005 09:57:01

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

My 49 8N is still 6 volt and my 53 Jubilee is 12 volt because it had the 12 volt conversion on it when I got it.

The 8N cranks just as well as the Jubilee although the Jubilee turns over faster.

There have been some good arguments here for the 12 volt conversion but I wouldn't alter a good 6 volt system just for the sake of a 12 volt conversion.

Rick

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gshadel

06-07-2005 07:45:19

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

I am pretty happy with my 6V system, but I had decided a while back if I ever needed to replace my generator, I'd go ahead and upgrade to a 12V system. 12V gives you more power for better lights, bells and whistles, sprayer pumps, etc. All those things run in the 12V world. I'd like to be able to run some of that stuff. The price to buy a remanufactured generator, is about the same as a full 12V conversion.

Conversion to 12V for reliability alone is an expensive option where a few bucks to upgade your battery cables, clean-up wiring terminals, etc. should help make a 6V system reliable. I've added electronic ignition upgrade to my wish list though. I hate messing around with points. New technology can be a good thing!

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corvette8n

06-07-2005 07:41:25

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

So far my 6 volt original 8N starts just fine and that is with one cell that is marginal according to the specific gravity checker.
Of course I baby this 8N and keep it in a garage, right now it only does minimal work like dragging logs and hauling brush in a carryall box.

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Bruce (VA)

06-07-2005 05:16:09

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

The shift to 12v took place with the increase in compression & HP of engines in the 50's; 6v would not spin a high compression engine fast enough. Well, the N engine remains a 23 HP low compression engine & 6v will start a well maintained engine at below 0*. Notice I said well maintained..... if you let the battery go dead, the wires corrode & the engine wears out & loses compression, 6v won't start it whereas 12v will. That seems to be the reason for most conversions: a band-aid for a worn out or poorly maintained engine. I own 3 n's, all of them 6v; two of them have been totally rewired & one has a rebuilt generator, a new v/r & one other has a rebuilt starter. My point is that you can fix the 6v & maintain it & it will work fine. On the other hand, if you need to run 12v equipment, or do not have the bucks/time/whatever to rebuild a low compression engine, 12v makes sense. Also, and probably the most important reason.....it's your tractor & your money! As to what's needed & how to do it, there is a lot of information in the archives & plenty of folks around here who have completed succesful conversions. One last thing..... .the local tractor dealer, who makes his living working on old tractors, will not work on a 12v conversion unless he did the conversion himself.

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Dan Hill

06-07-2005 04:15:23

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

I think 12V conversions are done by people who dont have the smarts to fix the 6v systems.They try to use 5 year old batteries, wont maintain the charging system and cuss the tractor when it wont start.The last three 12v converts I looked at have rat nest wiring and were done by people who didnt know what they were doing.A Farmall B had the 6v generator in place with no belt on it.The battery was resting in a side saddle affair with nothing to hold it in place, not even the usual bungee cord. The starter was from an Allis Chalmers I think with one bolt holding it on.I guess they used it till the battery was dead and then towed it back to the battrey charger.An 8n Ive worked on for a friend this winter Has a turn start ignition switch that defeats the nuetral only start switch.The old switch is bad, probably why it was converted to 12V.The battery has to be disconnected when the tractor isnt running because it will go flat over night.I dont have much time to spend on it now but plan to replace the nuetral switch and put the original type ignition switch back in place.My friend is in his 80s I am worried that he may start the tractor in gear.The tractor has the usual bungee cord holding the battery in place.I have replaced the 10 amp ammeter as it was pinned at full scale when the tractor was running.The insulators on the old meter were cracked with pieces missing.

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Tom in MS

06-07-2005 04:12:31

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

I grew up on a 2N and remember when my Dad bought it 40 years ago. Still 6V and cranks before the engine turns a complete revolution. I put 12V on mine only because it had nothing when I bought it.
Lots of folks will tell you that sometimes a 12V system is added to try to overcome other problems.
6V will work forever on a tractor that is properly tuned.

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BOB061

06-07-2005 01:53:45

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

I just changed my 8N over to 12 volt last week. I had to many 6 volt issues in the short time I had the tractor and wanted a little more dependability. The biggest challenge for me was 3 tries to get a belt that would fit. Tractor now starts faster than you can release the starter button. For me it was a change for the better. I need something to work and work well more than I need originality, I have enough vehicals to keep running.

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ken powell

06-06-2005 22:23:57

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

My 44 has not been converted... my thought is...if it's not broke...dont fix it.

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Michael SWOK

06-06-2005 21:32:23

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

When I first got my 8N I too was recruited by the Dark Side, who tried to convince me that a 12v conversion was "normal" and "that everyone was doing it". After researching it I discovered there were several different way to do it and that only added to the confusion. After I got a few repairs under my belt and became familiar with the tractor, I decided that I preferred the original system. Besides the mechanical issues, I never really liked the looks of most (nearly all) conversions.

It's really just a personal preference. My 8N is mostly original and runs very well. I have had electrical issues, but those are mostly caused by an aging wiring harness and wear and tear.

There is a good article in the N-Newsletter on a 12v conversion on a 9N that uses a Nippon Denso alternator. It might be something for you to consider.

A copy of the article can be purchased from the N-Newsletter at www.n-news.com. It is in the spring 2003 issue (Vol. 18, No. 2, pp 3-6.

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jwm

06-06-2005 20:36:30

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to 6N's Short, 06-06-2005 19:14:55

The whole world went to 12 volts because it is better. It"s the natural progression of science and machinery, and life. As far a converting your tractor, it"s not a big deal. The main thing you change is the battery to 12 v and the generator to an alternator. On the left side of this page look under articles and there you will find several articles about the 12 v. conversion process. It"s easy to do. James

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6N's Short

06-07-2005 07:30:11

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Re: All this talk about 12v conversions..... in reply to jwm, 06-06-2005 20:36:30

Thanks to all for a lot of great input but this response is the one that sold me. I heard it said somewheres "when everybody else is running it's time to walk". I'm gonna try to stay original and keep my 6V system.

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