This site uses cookies to maintain login information on FarmallCub.Com. Click the X in the banner upper right corner to close this notice. For more information on our privacy policy, visit this link: Privacy Policy
NEW REGISTERED MEMBERS: Be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folders for the activation email.
6V to 12V conversion
Forum rules
Notice: For sale and wanted posts are not allowed in this forum. Please use our free classifieds or one of our site sponsors for your tractor and parts needs.
Notice: For sale and wanted posts are not allowed in this forum. Please use our free classifieds or one of our site sponsors for your tractor and parts needs.
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2015 10:26 pm
- Zip Code: 41539
- Tractors Owned: 1959 Cub
- Location: Kimper, KY
6V to 12V conversion
I read about converting from 6V to 12V. What's that all about? I like the idea of keeping things as original as possible, but wonder about the advantages.
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 4974
- Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:34 pm
- Zip Code: 36558
- Tractors Owned: Cubs: (3)'49's, (1 is for parts), (1)'57 IH Cub LoBoy w/FH, (2)154 Number Series Loboys, (1 is for parts), '76 Longstripe w/FH, Mowers: C-22, Bush Hog 412, Pennington 59, Woods RM42CF, Woods 42, assorted FCub plows, planters, discs, etc. OTHERS: '49 AC B & Ind. Sickle mower, '61 AC D12 Ser 2, '52 8N, '56 Ferguson 35 Deluxe, '47 & '49 Avery V, '53 MM BG (offset), '51 JD M (regular), '56 JD 420C, with Blade and fire plow, '85 JD 850 (Yanmar) w/72" belly mower, '76? Yanmar 2TR15 1500 & Bush Hog SQ42S-2 mower, '78? FORD Dexta, '86 FORD LGT14D & 48" Mower, (2)Cub Cadets & Mowers (MTD), (4) Sears Surburban's, other MTD mowers, Jeeps & other misc. "treasures"
- Circle of Safety: Y
- Location: AL (Southwest)
Re: 6V to 12V conversion
JMHO, converting to 12v gives a more reliable and dependable starting with an engine that has some age/wear on it that might not be tuned to specs. Others might offer their opinions. Stan
Stan in LA (lower AL)
USAF & Reserves, Reg ARMY, ARMY NG (AL)
USAF & Reserves, Reg ARMY, ARMY NG (AL)
-
- Team Cub
- Posts: 11817
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 8:02 pm
- Zip Code: 80501
- Tractors Owned: Cubs, MH Pony, Shaw, Allis G, 1934 Silver King, JD LA and LI, Gibson D, David Bradley Tri-Trac
- Circle of Safety: Y
- Location: CO, Longmont
Re: 6V to 12V conversion
If you have failing parts on the 6V system, it is probably a lot cheaper to switch to 12 V. All mine that came 6V are still that way and hand cranked to start too.
Bob
Bob
"We don't need to think more,
we need to think differently."
-Albert Einstein
we need to think differently."
-Albert Einstein
- Super A
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 5228
- Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2004 10:53 am
- Zip Code: 28521
- Tractors Owned: Collector of Super As, Corn Pickers, and a buncha other junk. Even a Cub now and then...
- Circle of Safety: Y
- Location: NC, Jacksonville area
Re: 6V to 12V conversion
You don't have to search many of my posts to find out I strongly dislike 12 volt conversions. Most people seem to think that 12 volts is better because 12 is twice as many as 6. All you need for a 6 volt system to work properly is 1. good battery cables, at least 2/0, those thin NAPA cables rated for 12 volts won't work, others with more electrical knowledge can explain but basically you need more cable pushing 6v than 12. 2. Good electrical connections. Clean, bright, and tight. If it hasn't been touched in 50 years (or even 20 or 30) it probably needs attention. 3. A functional generator, starter and regulator. Regulators can be tricky but if you buy a good one like an Echlin from NAPA they tend to work. If the generator and starter haven't been touched in 30 years, they need to go to a good starter and generator shop for cleaning and servicing.
If you have these three things your Cub will start reliably and charge its battery, not only that but it will "spin" when cranking just as fast as 12v. It is easy to just slap in a 12v battery and a cheap GM alternator on and "mask" the issues I just mentioned but IMO it's sloppy. And don't get me started on conversions where someone cuts the hood....IMO there's a special place in hell reserved for them, right between Osama and hitler!
For the record there are a couple reasons I would support 12v conversion. First if you need to run a sprayer or some accessory that requires 12 volts, or you want more/brighter lights, etc. or if your charging system is just so totally shot it doesn't make financial sense to keep it 6v. But whatever you do, DON'T believe the hooey some folks spout about 6v systems being harder to maintain, less reliable, won't start their tractor so they can push snow at the south pole, etc. My Cub charges and starts reliably on 6 volts and all I have to do is climb on and pull the starter rod. (Also don't believe what some say about 6v batteries not lasting either. I average 5 years out of mine, and I am terrible about keeping the water checked in them!)
Al
Al
Al
If you have these three things your Cub will start reliably and charge its battery, not only that but it will "spin" when cranking just as fast as 12v. It is easy to just slap in a 12v battery and a cheap GM alternator on and "mask" the issues I just mentioned but IMO it's sloppy. And don't get me started on conversions where someone cuts the hood....IMO there's a special place in hell reserved for them, right between Osama and hitler!
For the record there are a couple reasons I would support 12v conversion. First if you need to run a sprayer or some accessory that requires 12 volts, or you want more/brighter lights, etc. or if your charging system is just so totally shot it doesn't make financial sense to keep it 6v. But whatever you do, DON'T believe the hooey some folks spout about 6v systems being harder to maintain, less reliable, won't start their tractor so they can push snow at the south pole, etc. My Cub charges and starts reliably on 6 volts and all I have to do is climb on and pull the starter rod. (Also don't believe what some say about 6v batteries not lasting either. I average 5 years out of mine, and I am terrible about keeping the water checked in them!)
Al
Al
Al
White Demo Super A Restoration Updates
Let us pray for farmers and all who prepare the soil for planting, that the seeds they sow may lead to a bountiful harvest.
Celebrating 75 years of the Super A: 1947-2022
Let us pray for farmers and all who prepare the soil for planting, that the seeds they sow may lead to a bountiful harvest.
Celebrating 75 years of the Super A: 1947-2022
-
- Team Cub Mentor
- Posts: 20336
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 9:52 pm
- Zip Code: 65051
- Circle of Safety: Y
- Location: Mo. Linn
Re: 6V to 12V conversion
I changed my last 6 volt Cub (machine on the place) to single wire 12 volt alternator when it's battery died. Having all machines 12V, it's easier to jump start or swap batteries.
I have an excuse. CRS.
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 1654
- Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:19 am
- Zip Code: 00000
- Tractors Owned: '48 trimmed dash high crop cub , '78 3/4 cub , lo-boy/59 mower , '64 "galvanized" cub , cub-6 toolbar , sicklebar mowers , 54 blade , plow , mott mower , early belly mower . . international 1010 pickup with 345ci v-8 .
- Circle of Safety: Y
- Location: louisiana
Re: 6V to 12V conversion
hello all from the deep south , ( I am still alive ) I have two long stripes ( factory ) , 60's loboy (factory) , '63 12v conversion , and a '48 with magneto that was stock before starting the restore that would hand crank first time . my favorite one is the one I am about to climb up on , coppersmythe.......................................
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2015 10:26 pm
- Zip Code: 41539
- Tractors Owned: 1959 Cub
- Location: Kimper, KY
Re: 6V to 12V conversion
Thanks to all. My '59 starts very well with the new 6V battery I just installed. I've got some rewiring to do on the headlights and tail light - hope they work. If not, I suppose I can deal with that.
I get the feeling my next post will be what to do about the hydraulics not working. Once I figure out how to get what I believe is the hydraulic fluid plug (1 1/8" bolt?) loosened to see if its got fluid, we'll see if that is the problem. Of course, if it doesn't have fluid, I'll have to assume it went somewhere, so I foresee more work in my future.
I get the feeling my next post will be what to do about the hydraulics not working. Once I figure out how to get what I believe is the hydraulic fluid plug (1 1/8" bolt?) loosened to see if its got fluid, we'll see if that is the problem. Of course, if it doesn't have fluid, I'll have to assume it went somewhere, so I foresee more work in my future.
- bob in CT
- Team Cub Mentor
- Posts: 6018
- Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:34 am
- Zip Code: 06040
- Tractors Owned: 77 Cub (red); 74 Cub; 52 Cub; 50 Cub ( post-demo)
- Circle of Safety: Y
- Location: CT, Manchester
Re: 6V to 12V conversion
Grandhose wrote:Thanks to all. My '59 starts very well with the new 6V battery I just installed. I've got some rewiring to do on the headlights and tail light - hope they work. If not, I suppose I can deal with that.
I get the feeling my next post will be what to do about the hydraulics not working. Once I figure out how to get what I believe is the hydraulic fluid plug (1 1/8" bolt?) loosened to see if its got fluid, we'll see if that is the problem. Of course, if it doesn't have fluid, I'll have to assume it went somewhere, so I foresee more work in my future.
Start another thread on that one, it may be a long one!
I just rebuilt 2 touch controls and two pumps and I have one more set to go once all the garden prep work is behind me. Can't say I am an expert- the first one bleeds down - and the second one is about to be painted as part of a restoration project before it is installed. Plenty of resources here to guide you through it.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: ghanlin and 21 guests