12v conversion or new 6v battery

[esbrian]

My 6v battery will no longer start my 850 in cold weather, even when I keep it on a trickle charger. I can barely get it to turn the engine over before it stops trying and needs a jump.

I'm fine buying a new 6v battery (believe this one was on the tractor when I bought it 7 years ago) but should I consider a 12v conversion? I've generally been happy with the performance, just curious as to what folks think about the cost/benefit on the conversion versus maintaining it as-is. I have a new 12v battery I purchased for a car that got traded in before I could install, so that factors into the calculus...

 

[old]

I have not priced a 6 volt battery in years but I know I can buy a 12 volt battery from Walmart for under $60 and they last for a few years. 12 volt system also tend to be cheaper to keep working and now days it is hard to find some one who can fix a generator if one goes bad. But either way it would probably be cheaper to buy a 6 volt battery instead of switching to 12 volts but in the long run maybe cost more years down the road

 

[esbrian]

(quoted from post at 16:22:02 01/01/22) I have not priced a 6 volt battery in years but I know I can buy a 12 volt battery from Walmart for under $60 and they last for a few years. 12 volt system also tend to be cheaper to keep working and now days it is hard to find some one who can fix a generator if one goes bad. But either way it would probably be cheaper to buy a 6 volt battery instead of switching to 12 volts but in the long run maybe cost more years down the road

thanks for the input, Old. I am inclined to pick up a new 6v battery because I don't need another project, but sometimes I catch a little upgrade fever...

since it doesn't have trouble starting if I can get it to turn over a few times, I am assuming the rest of the system is in reasonably good shape and the only significant problem at this time is the battery.

This post was edited by esbrian on 01/01/2022 at 01:33 pm.

 

[old]

When you put in a new battery you may need to polarize the generator just a head up just in case

 

[RM-MN]

Remove the battery caps and check for liquid level. You may get by with just adding distilled water. The trickle charger or the generator when it is running will gradually boil out the water. Replacing it with distilled water might get you a few more years out of that battery. If not, distilled water is really cheap to try.

 

[Dean]

Most tractor supply type stores put storage batteries on sale for 15% off or so 3 or 4 times each year. Most stock 6V batteries that will fit your tractor.

Simpliest solution is to simply wait for the next sale and buy a new 6V battery.

Dean

 

[JK-NY]

If everything else in the charging system is good I would replace with 6v. If you have other charging system components that need
attention this might be time to switch.

 

[Indiana Ken]

Interesting, you have a 850 on 6 volts and the system has been working well. Working for what...50 years.....what benefit could you be looking for?

I have four tractors on 6 volts, if they come to me as 6 volts they stay 6 volts. I would suggest buying a replacement 6 volt battery and drive on.

 

[esbrian]

(quoted from post at 20:55:55 01/01/22)
Interesting, you have a 850 on 6 volts and the system has been working well. Working for what...50 years.....what benefit could you be looking for?

I have four tractors on 6 volts, if they come to me as 6 volts they stay 6 volts. I would suggest buying a replacement 6 volt battery and drive on.

I am perfectly happy with the 6v system, but since I have to spend some money either way, I figured I'd ask the question. I have heard people say "switch to 12v, you'll never look back," and I have heard people say "the system as designed works perfectly well, don't mess with it." So for me, now is the time to ask the question.

 

[old]

In your case I'd go with 6 volts till it doesn't work then make the switch. I switched all mine due to the fact it was do that or pay a lot of $$ to fix non working 6 volt systems

 

[Ultradog MN]

I see your quandry.
The fact that you have a spare 12 v battery
makes it a horse apiece.
On the one hand you could slip a new 6v
battery in it and hopefully be done for
another 7 years.
On the other hand, if you can build your
own bracket you could buy an alternator and
12v coil (or another resister) and do the
conversion for less than the price of a new
6V battery.
Over the long haul, 12v is a better, more
reliable system. Maybe it all boils down to
as you said, do you need the project right
now.

 

[Husker 50 8n]

I'm in favor of the switch to 12 volt. The tractor will start better (and quicker) almost anytime and especially in cold weather. If you
are not certain how to rewire the new system you can buy the kit online with a new wiring harness and schematic/directions. Pretty simple
and you've replaced the old wiring as well. I run a small 3 point sprayer that has a 12 volt pump so that gives me another reason for
switching. Bad part is lights need to be changed to 12 volt as well. I still have my Grandpa's 8n on 6 volt, but I don't depend on it in
the winter.

 

[esbrian]

(quoted from post at 05:14:55 01/02/22) I see your quandry.
The fact that you have a spare 12 v battery
makes it a horse apiece.
On the one hand you could slip a new 6v
battery in it and hopefully be done for
another 7 years.
On the other hand, if you can build your
own bracket you could buy an alternator and
12v coil (or another resister) and do the
conversion for less than the price of a new
6V battery.
Over the long haul, 12v is a better, more
reliable system. Maybe it all boils down to
as you said, do you need the project right
now.

Thanks all, I think I need my time more than I need a 12v upgrade right now!

 

[tractorguy2]

I would just buy a new 6 volt battery. Ford hundred series generally start easy on six if the starter, cables, and connections are good.

The one problem with 12v conversions that no one has mentioned. If the starter is not rebuild for 12 volts it sometimes will break the starter drive spring or
the gear on the drive.

I have two Case SC tractors. One on six and one on twelve. The six starts just as fast and easy as the one on twelve. At least three times now the twelve volt
SC has knocked out one of the two bolts in the starter spring. The six volt starter I have not touched in 25 years except to put a drop of oil in the oil
holes.

My 9n on 12 volts broke the start drive a few years back also.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

Have you taken the battery in to a trusty shop to be tested on their special machine under load? Next up is you need a FLOAT charger, not a trickle charger. DELTRAN
BATTERY TENDER makes a good device. Just because you applied a battery charger doesn't mean your battery is maintained properly with a full charge under load. Did you
test it? Second up is your wiring. Whether you have a 6V or a 12V battery does not mean the system is wired correctly for that setup. Each system has its own PROS and
CONS like others stated. 12V will get you a faster start -helps with a worn engine, brighter lights, option to run 12V attachments like a sprayer, and the option to add
an 8-TRACK player to the cab...; > ). The OEM 6V/POS GRN setup works fine too, and often, possibly in your case, it is mucked up wiring or something else in the system
that is causing your non-starting issues. Lighting connections are a top culprit to be wired wrong. #2 is lack of a belt tensioner on GEN or ALT -without one you will
never charge the battery. Whichever system you use, be sure it is wired correctly. Get the manuals and diagrams and don't guess. Get battery to a shop to be tested
first and if bad, trade in for a 12V or another 6V, your call. Your local trusty starter/alt shop usually stocks a good battery brand like INTERSTATE or DEKA. Leave
power disconnected until you have the wiring all corrected.

FORD TRACTOR 600/700/800/900 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6V/POS GRN:

FORD TRACTOR 600/700/800/900 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12V CONVERSION w/1-WIRE ALT:

FORD TRACTOR 600/700/800/900 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12V CONVERSION w/3-WIRE ALT:

Tim Daley(MI)

 

[Steve in IL]

Dad's 641 still has the original 6 volt system on it. Starts well in the coldest Ohio winters. I think starter might be untouched. Generator has been rebuilt at least once. Starter push button
replaced once. Battery, several times. Other than that, no issues. Pretty good for a 65 year old tractor. As others have mentioned, keeping wires/connections clean and tight is important.

 

[Two0aks]

My 2

Just this past Saturday I needed to start my TO-30 6volt, which in any other weather temp starts fine after I cleaned the terminals and new start switch. It always pops off and turns over quite fast.

However, it was 28 outside and barely over 32 in the barn, and was slow to turn over, so I just jumped it with a spare 12V battery. Pos to tractor grnd., Neg to starter Term. Turned over fast and fired right off.

The problem of converting for me as I see it is Auto Belt width .5" versus TO-30 belt width .812", and RPMs necessary to excite Alternator. I wouldn't normally need to start the Ferguson in winter, except I needed to get my NAA engine off the stand and onto my steel table.

 

[Lynn Patrick]

Something I have not heard yet is what is the condition of ALL components of the start/charging systems? If you need a battery it's one thing, but if the genny needs rebuilding GOOD LUCK!! In my area the nearest place I can get that done is over 100 miles away & costs as much as buying a complete 12v conversion kit including Battery!