6 Volt Complete Rewire

[LeoM]

I have a 1952 serial # 160546 Cub that I am starting to restore. When I bought it the generator was not installed and the former owner said the starter "dragged". The battery was connected with negative to ground. All the wiring was in poor condition. I bought a battery and had the starter rebuilt. I downloaded the electrical schematic and started to connect per the drawing. The engine turns freely using the starter. The tractor had an external coil installed. I am guessing that the magneto coil had failed. I bought a new coil from Case I H and the packing says " for 6 v without external resistor and 12 volt with external resistor". That sounds backward to me but I have temporarily connected the coil negative lead to the battery post on the starter and the positive to the distributor. I have a new rotor, set of points, condenser, distributor cap and plug wires to install. When I opened the distributor I found the pinon gear worn excessively so I have ordered a new 1. I also ordered a new voltage regulator and had the generator tested. It produced 20 amps when connected to a battery. My thoughts are that the way the battery was connected previously the voltage regulator could not have charged the battery and someone probably removed the generator thinking it was bad. Being that this is the first time I have done this I would appreciate some comments and/or suggestions.

[Eugene]

Battery powered ignition systems operate at 4.5 to 6 volts. The 12 volt with external resister, the resister acts as a voltage drop.

The regulator will operate correctly if the generator is polarized. Polarization matches the generator polarity to the battery.

[LeoM]

I've been told that an 8 volt battery will work on a 6 volt system. My past experience with a 6 volt system in the winter makes me want to try an 8 volt battery. Anyone have experience with this set up ?

[offrink]

The battery maybe 8 Volts but the cub won't charge to 8. Only 6. To fully charge you would have to hook up a charger to get a full charge which defeats the purpose.

[bob in CT]

I have fired my 6 volt Cub at near zero and it started on the first couple of turns. If it is in tune and you have compression, I don't think you have a problem in Central Florida.

Thanks for the reminder, though. I just pulled mine out out of the barn Cub and put it on charge in the warm garage. Bitter cold on the way.

[Eugene]

Suggest compression tests, dry then wet. Compression satisfactory, then check your magneto timing.

These tractors came with a hand crank to start the engine. The 8 volt battery will not improve engine starting.

[George M]

I believe that a 6 volt battery has a Positive ground... I am not sure if that applies to all the 6v batteries or has an effect, but the 6v Negative Ground Sounds a little funny to me... I'm not 'positive' I'm correct on this though.
George M

[Buzzard Wing]

Is it a distributor or magneto?? The coil sounds right for a distributor.

Personally I prefer to replace the wiring harness, much easier in the scheme of things.

[Jack]

[quote="bob in CT"]I have fired my 6 volt Cub at near zero and it started on the first couple of turns.

like bob said, my 6 volt fires right up and it is very cold here, -2 today

[Buzzard Wing]

The key to a good starting and running Cub is good electrical connections, good tune up, and good carb. If you don't have good electrical connections.... all bets are off.