Should I switch to 12 volt?

[jdp8402]

I'm trying to decide if I should go to 12 volt or not. What all needs to be switched if I decide to do it. I switched my Farmall H over and all I had to change was the bulbs and coil. I replaced the coil because I didn't want the resistor. The reason I'm thinking about switching is because the generator needs rebuilt and if the battery dies on me somewhere no one drives a car that runs on 6 volt for a jumpstart. I would also want it to be a negative ground. What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Jeff

[Patrick L.]

Well, its not hard or expensive to rebuild the generator.

These monsters can be jump started with 12v. Just don't leave the jump cables attached any longer than necessary.

If you want negative ground, thats easy to do.

I see very few good reasons to switch to 12v.

[johnbuckley]

I went 12v several years back and never regretted it

[Willie Krash]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Well, its not hard or expensive to rebuild the generator.

These monsters can be jump started with 12v. Just don't leave the jump cables attached any longer than necessary.

If you want negative ground, thats easy to do.

I see very few good reasons to switch to 12v.

And an alternator looks ugly, doesn't look right at all.

[J Franklin]

Rebuild the generator and you're good to go!

[Patrick L.]

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Originally Posted by Willie Krash

And an alternator looks ugly, doesn't look right at all.

Yep ! I could say something else about them, but, it won't go over well here.

[23hack]

Why not make it 110 ? Then you can plug it in anywhere, even Costa Rica !

[jdp8402]

I know that it might not look the best. I did it to my tractor when the battery was dead one day and I burned up a $200 generator trying to jumpstart it from a 12 volt system. I will admit that I had jumped it before from 12 volt with no problems, but it just takes that one time to cost extra money. Does anyone have a reason other than appearance why a person shouldn't convert to 12 volt?

[Patrick L.]

' Appearance ' ? One doesn't have to use an alternator on 12v. The generator is just as happy on 12v.

[Ed H.]

Change the fields and brushes, and you have a 12 volt gen.

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by jdp8402

I'm trying to decide if I should go to 12 volt or not. What all needs to be switched if I decide to do it. I switched my Farmall H over and all I had to change was the bulbs and coil. I replaced the coil because I didn't want the resistor. The reason I'm thinking about switching is because the generator needs rebuilt and if the battery dies on me somewhere no one drives a car that runs on 6 volt for a jumpstart. I would also want it to be a negative ground. What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Jeff

What's that funny looking lug wrench for besides wheel nuts? Or you can just push start it, when I was younger I was pushing it a lot!

[29 model-a]

Whts the crank hole in front of the engine for again? Haha

[Classiccanuck]

if it ain't broke...............

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by chamokie

Change the fields and brushes, and you have a 12 volt gen.

You do not need to change anything internally on the generator. You do need to rework the cutout to close at 13V or switch to a diode cutout configured for negative ground (positive output) like the Model T's use for a diode conversion. Then re-polarize (flash) the generator. You could also use one of the Funprojects 12V neg regs. but your max amperage output is limited to much less and you need to polarize the gen before installing it or it will go poof!

[1929]

I did not have any reason to switch, I stayed with the 6.

[TinCup]

6 volts has worked for 80 plus years.

[updraught]

Originally Posted by 23hack

Why not make it 110 ? Then you can plug it in anywhere, even Costa Rica !

110 is old fashioned. The lights look dim and the hair dryer runs cool.

Everyone uses 240.

[captndan]

OK I've two A's One is a 6v alternator the other is a 6v generator. No reason to change either one since they both work. My criteria is (tractors) if the cost to rebuild a 6v generator exceeds the cost ($35) I go with the 12v negative ground alternator. Yes 6v positive ground worked for many years but all manufacturers did go with 12v negative ground.

[RonC]

Cars originally went 12 volt due to greater demand for more amperage. 6 volts is more than adequate for the model a unless your loading up assessories. Its easier to push start your car in 3rd than it is to jump it.

[Mike V. Florida]

Unless you're going to add 12 volt accessories (and maybe not even then) there is no reason to go to 12 volts. Save your money for gas and drive the car.