12 volt bat 6 volt gen

Some below said the generator was constant watts. That's NOT TRUE. Its good for the same current no matter the voltage. The current capability is dependent ONLY on the wire size in the armature. It heats the same from 30 amps load whether the output is 1 volt or 40 volts.

A generator with cutout in the regulator tends to discharge when running just a little below its minimum charging speed. The relay cutout can take as much as 10 amps discharge current before it cuts out. That reduces charging productivity.

An alternator uses silicon diodes to rectify and they also serve as efficient cut out to make sure the alternator never discharges (other than filed current so long as all the diodes are good).

Many tractor generators were selected based on the tractor starting only a couple times a day and running for half a day before the next start. Like the JD 4020 gas with a 20 amp generator and the 4020 diesel with a 10 amp 24 volt generator. I know a one wire alternator works much better on my 4020 gas. Instead of a year or two battery life with regular needs for charging to get it to start after sitting. With the alternator the battery isn't being abused and acts like it will last a long time. I put a small diameter pulley on the 10SI so it spins fast and once it starts charging it will charge as slow as the engine will run.

Gerald J.

Many people like to convert to a 12v alternator, but I find those to be such a rat"s nest of miss-wiring as to be unrelaible, and much prefer sticking with the original 6v setup. Unless you need to run a planter, baler, or sprayer monitor - then you need the 12v. But just my personal preference, to each their own.

--->Paul