8 volt alternator conversion

[Tom H.]

Hi everyone,

Enjoying the single digit temperatures here in Western Ma. Thought it would be a good time to upgrade my TO 30 to the late 20th century.

I have been using an 8 volt battery for about 5 years now with a tweaked voltage regulator that had been putting out about 9 volts. A friend had told me that 8 volt alternators with positive ground are out there and I finally picked one up and also the brackets. Installation is very easy and now I have a great charging system without having to change light bulbs or the coil, or add a resistor.

Here are a couple of pictures of the new and old stuff.


 

[Richard L]

Tom, when are you going to make a video and show us what those tracks can do in your weather out there?
 

[Tom H.]

Richard, funny I was just thinking about that today when I was pushing around a little bit of snow and watching the ammeter happily charging the battery. I will try to come up with one soon.

Tom
 

[Richard L]

Thank you Tom.
 

[Tony in Mass.]

Hey Tom, is that the tractor with the tracks? Do you have any pics of that?
 

[Inno]

That reminds me! I was driving north west of here the other day for work and I saw an old tractor on tracks moving some snow, looked to be a Ferguson of some sort. Have to try and remember where it was to go back and find it.
 

[Tom H.]

Here is a pic of my 1954 TO30 on 1952 Bombardier tracks and also my 1967/68 Melroe Bobcat. The snow fleet.


 

[Tony in Mass.]

Wow. Thanks, that's awesome!
 

[bobs old iron]

now you got my interest, where did you find/get a 8-v alt, how hard to convert, got more pics on how it looks/mounts on motor, did you have to do any special wireing/diswireing to hook-up..might look into it for my to-20,,,bob
 

[Tom H.]

A friend told me about a web site that offered 8 volt alternators. I waited for almost 2 years before going for it and then found the same alternator on ebay with free shipping. DB electric had the mounting parts for about $30, just needed the alternor to mount bolt and a 1/2" shim.

Wiring was simple. Take everything off the voltage regulator and put the NEG alt wire to your ammeter. Almost done. Just run your ignition (coil) wire to the same start switch post. I put my generator and voltage regulator in a box and shelved them. Also once the engine excites the alternator it will keep charging even at idle