John Deere b 6 volt

[kRM1976]

How hard would it be to convert from 6 volt to 12 volt?

 

[old]

How hard would it be to convert from 6 volt to 12 volt?

Not hard at all and if it has a mag instead of battery ignition even easier. Install and alternator and 12 volt battery and wire it up. I prefer a 3 wire alternator like what was used on say a 1980 Chevy pickup no power anything no A/C

 

[Janicholson]

As old indicates. I will ad that reversing the leads on the coil so negative goes to the points is good. So is reversing the leads on the ammeter. Bulbs need to be 12v, and the coil needs a resistor on its input from the switch. 60 Chevy Bellaire resistor will do. Ask if you need a diagram or directions beyond these. Jim

 

[560Dennis]

I recommend fixing the issues with the 6 volt system instead.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

I recommend fixing the issues with the 6 volt system instead.

I don't. Because you're always fixing on the 6 volt system. It just never seems to end. You get everything working perfect, and the next day the ammeter needle starts twitching, or won't indicate charge anymore.

For the cost of having the generator serviced, which is well over $100 these days, you can purchase a 1-wire Delco 10SI style alternator from your favorite source and a Group 65 Value battery from Walmart, and you're 90% of the way to a conversion.

The most difficult part of the conversion is mounting the alternator. I don't see a conversion bracket specifically for a B, but someone might know of one. You might have to fabricate something, or perhaps some creative use of all-thread is in order.

 

[560Dennis]

I don't. Because you're always fixing on the 6 volt system. It just never seems to end. You get everything working perfect, and the next day the ammeter needle starts twitching, or won't indicate charge anymore.

For the cost of having the generator serviced, which is well over $100 these days, you can purchase a 1-wire Delco 10SI style alternator from your favorite source and a Group 65 Value battery from Walmart, and you're 90% of the way to a conversion.

The most difficult part of the conversion is mounting the alternator. I don't see a conversion bracket specifically for a B, but someone might know of one. You might have to fabricate something, or perhaps some creative use of all-thread is in order.

Majority of issues discussed are related to faults in 12 conversion issues .

 

[Rich'sToys]

I'm the last person in the world to care what the correct police may or may not think.
But having said that, there's something about an alternator on a 2-cylinder John Deere that just doesn't look right.

 

[Loosehandle]

How hard would it be to convert from 6 volt to 12 volt?

I have a late B that still has a generator and a 8 volt battery, charges just fine. It's more important to make sure you have a magneto instead of the lame distributor that looks like a magneto.

 

[ss55]

How hard would it be to convert from 6 volt to 12 volt?

Easy, John Deere B's larger brothers A and G were 12 volt.

 

[John T]

When I was a used dealer and farmer back in their day I sae tons of original 6 and also 12 conversions. I like original if it’s a show piece but if it’s a daily driver and you live in the north I suggest conversion. If 6 you need a big strong battery and huge cables and a with a well tuned decent engine they can start in cold temps no problem, if a problem find and fix it !!!

I saw several damaged starters with 12 on a 6 starter but in that case smaller cables and/or a smaller 12 volt battery reduces problems. Still I converted several to 12 left the old starter no problems.

If you like originality get a big battery and big cables and have it well tuned you willl be fine but if you have to use it daily in cold climate I’d convert

John T

 

[Jim.ME]

Majority of issues discussed are related to faults in 12 conversion issues .

Like anything if the conversion is not done right, to me that is the fault of the person doing it, not the conversion. JMHO

To go along with what Barnyard posted, I changed my 6-volt units to 12 for the charging system (alternator), better lighting options, cost and quality of the 6-volt batteries, the ability to use them to jump something if needed and less risk of damaging something if they needed to be jumped. Some have been going 20 years now with no issues (batteries have been lasting 8 years or better) where the charging systems were worked on once a year it seems, or the battery failed every 2-3 years.

Also, I understand the use can play a part. Just for show original is preferred. To count on working I will go with 12 volt with a 3-wire alternator. The option of getting a generator built into an alternator is there if one wants.

 

[560Dennis]

I'm the last person in the world to care what the correct police may or may not think.
But having said that, there's something about an alternator on a 2-cylinder John Deere that just doesn't look right.

Totally agree with you . As soon as I see that alternator and rat nest wiring job you know whoever did the shoddy workshop. your know they never did anything to correct the original issue . For some reason they thinks that a 12 volt battery and alternator with solve all the problems.
I walk away anything that has them . It still won’t charge or start.
deduct 1500 off cause that what your going pay parts and labor to get it going.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

Some of them you can use the existing generator bracket if you move it below the frame same angle so it’s level then add a sacrificial half moon wrench to the tensioner. Works pretty slick mount a couple washers in the correct spot and a carriage bolt to hole the old belt tensioner mounts to keep it out of the way of the belt.

I’d suggest a 3 wire myself and a brillman wiring kit.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

I recommend fixing the issues with the 6 volt system instead.

Totally agree with you . As soon as I see that alternator and rat nest wiring job you know whoever did the shoddy workshop. your know they never did anything to correct the original issue . For some reason they thinks that a 12 volt battery and alternator with solve all the problems.
I walk away anything that has them . It still won’t charge or start.
deduct 1500 off cause that what your going pay parts and labor to get it going.

12V generators are easy enough to find... he wouldn't need to mess with the wiring at all. Change the reg and he's done. At least maintain the visual appeal, but it's less work to fix what he has.

 

[Dan in Ohio]

Won't be converting any of my 6V tractors to 12V until I can no longer easily find good 6V batteries and that day could come sooner than I think. The other reason is four of my 6V systems are pony start diesels.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

Won't be converting any of my 6V tractors to 12V until I can no longer easily find good 6V batteries and that day could come sooner than I think. The other reason is four of my 6V systems are pony start diesels.

You are right on about that. A couple of the local battery places don’t sell 6 volt motorcycle batteries anymore so even the little dirt bike has gotten converted.

However it’s safe to say 6 volt tractor batteries are probably going to be around for a good long time yet and would be one of the last things to go someone in China would build them usually they are still at the low end of everyones battery price point

It’s just nice to be able to run all the little accessories with them. And I have actually had to jump the zero turn and the wife’s car with the super c both in places I didn’t want to go with the pickup and before boosters were as rediculously light weight as they are now.

I mean what am I going to do pull the lawn sprayer with the pickup like a heathen?

I used to strap a seperate battery to the unstyled b and run stuff but it’s way simpler to just bite the bullet and do it.

70 years grandpa ran his battery only on his b since they added the starter hooking a trickle charger to it every 3 months or so the thing never had an alternator just a starter. Spent more in batteries than 10 alternators cost because he’d forget to charge it and it sat for 6 months over each winter usually dead next spring good and froze but that’s besides the point.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

When I was a used dealer and farmer back in their day I sae tons of original 6 and also 12 conversions. I like original if it’s a show piece but if it’s a daily driver and you live in the north I suggest conversion. If 6 you need a big strong battery and huge cables and a with a well tuned decent engine they can start in cold temps no problem, if a problem find and fix it !!!

I saw several damaged starters with 12 on a 6 starter but in that case smaller cables and/or a smaller 12 volt battery reduces problems. Still I converted several to 12 left the old starter no problems.

If you like originality get a big battery and big cables and have it well tuned you willl be fine but if you have to use it daily in cold climate I’d convert

John T

John T
I damaged 6v starters using 12v battery on both my Jubilee and Farmall C.
I was able to buy a 12v starter for my Jubilee.
No 12v starters available for my 1950 Farmall C.
So I use a lawn mower battery and never damaged another starter .
Also use 10g wire instead of battery cables. That took the sting out of using a 6v starter on a 12v battery.
If you don't damage the starter or the starter teeth you don't need a mower battery.
My Farmall C has a Mag. Good chance a JD B has a mag so it's easy to add a 12v alternator and 12v battery.

 

[John T]

John T
I damaged 6v starters using 12v battery on both my Jubilee and Farmall C.
I was able to buy a 12v starter for my Jubilee.
No 12v starters available for my 1950 Farmall C.
So I use a lawn mower battery and never damaged another starter .
Also use 10g wire instead of battery cables. That took the sting out of using a 6v starter on a 12v battery.
If you don't damage the starter or the starter teeth you don't need a mower battery.
My Farmall C has a Mag. Good chance a JD B has a mag so it's easy to add a 12v alternator and 12v battery.View attachment 111867

Likewise I saw several damaged 6 volt starters when 12 volts were applied be it starter drives or gear teeth even cracked nose cones. Years and years ago when I converted I used smaller batteries and lighter cables however typically a two cylinder deere needs bigger than a lawn mower battery and 10 gauge cables even if many other tractors csn work that way, no two are alike. Yep jd bs may be a mag or distributor ???

Keep healthy

John T