24 volt system

[Dieseltech]

Just brought home a 1964 3020D Power Shift with the original electrical system. Question, while it starts and runs fine the red gen light is on at low idle/800 RPM, but goes out above 1000. It does have a JD exchange tag on the generator, and the starter has been apart and cleaned to hopefully stop the right battery slow drain. I'd like to leave the system as is instead of changing to 12 volt long as it works. Is the gen light on at low speed common on the 24 volt system? I'm in the habit of bumping up the idle speed a bit now every time I start it.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

par for the course on those both with generator and converted to alternator.

Little red light was there on the 4020 at startup for my whole childhood every day feeding cows and pigs.

I’ve seen a rather complicated master switch plan that does work. 2 switches one off left post of left battery and one off of the right post same battery. Worked slick I guess other than he spent a lot of time running those cables up to where the switches were reachable.

Trickle chargers are your friend.

Have replaced alot of those skinny batteries for people most often on gas tractors actually with just the one battery.

both grandpas had 2 different plans on different battery setups if you do decide you want that and batteries that work for 10 to 15 years instead of 5 to 7. You can spend a lot of time messing with that 24 volt system and spend a lot of time making everything right and still unless you are trying for originality (and nothing wrong with that at all don’t get me wrong) there is no benefit.

I just about fell down when I saw that tech has arisen back on a yellow painted fendt tractor about 10 years ago in electronic transfer switch form. With wonderful warning stickers how not to jump it so you don’t fry an ecm. Of course it was on the lowboy stuck around zero degrees deader than a post… Lord help us. Germans do have slightly better weather patterns than us for the most part and sometimes they forget that…if you are jumping a tractor over there you have a problem needs dealt with. Over here it’s a cold Tuesday…

 

[Tx Jim]

Ditto what Fixingfarmer stated concerning dim voltage indicator light at lower engine rpm's .

JD 24 volt systems were needed back in the 1960's.

As long as the 24 volt system is operating as designed I'd leave it 24 volts. But the 1st time an electrical problem arose I wouldn't hesitate to change to 12 volt system.

 

[m16ty]

I’ve got a 730d and just reworked the electrical system. I stayed with the 12/24 system. The tractor will start much better with 24v, especially when it’s cold out.

 

[JD Dave]

Red genlight is normal at start. My 4010 does that. No problems. Everything was gone through a few years back and we have no trouble with it. It's good once in a while to trickle charge left and right batteries to assure they're equal. A lot of people nnalert and moan about 24 volt but if it's up to snuff and one has a basic understanding of it, it'll be just fine.

 

[m16ty]

Red genlight is normal at start. My 4010 does that. No problems. Everything was gone through a few years back and we have no trouble with it. It's good once in a while to trickle charge left and right batteries to assure they're equal. A lot of people nnalert and moan about 24 volt but if it's up to snuff and one has a basic understanding of it, it'll be just fine.

Yes, it took me a little head scratching to figure it out on my 730, but it's not that complicated once you understand how it works. I personally don't understand why people want to convert to 12v, I'd change it to all 24v before I did that.

 

[farmer52]

Not to hijack this thread....I own a 1968 3020 Diesel with 24V system. When I am not using the tractor, especially during the winter, I connect battery maintainers to the batteries. I disconnect the cables on each battery and then connect the maintainers (one per battery).

Can I use one maintainer and leave the battery cables connected? Or is there a better method to use the maintain the batteries? TIA

 

[JD Dave]

The method I use is to leave the battery cables connected and charge/maintain each battery indivdually at 12 volts OR use two chargers simultaineously. Another option is charging across both batteries with a 24 volt maintainer/charger. In both cases the cables can remain connected.

 

[Dieseltech]

Not to hijack this thread....I own a 1968 3020 Diesel with 24V system. When I am not using the tractor, especially during the winter, I connect battery maintainers to the batteries. I disconnect the cables on each battery and then connect the maintainers (one per battery).

Can I use one maintainer and leave the battery cables connected? Or is there a better method to use the maintain the batteries? TIA

I'd say no, as the left battery is Positive ground and right is Negative ground. Best keep doing what is working like you have been. If the Right battery loses charge SLOWLY over time take the starter apart and clean all the brush dust out. That stopped the slow current leak on mine when I did that.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

If you are willing to look for a caterpillar 24v maintainer you could hardwire it in across both batteries and then just have to plug it in. That is the most likely to give you the best results and keep it simple

One of my shop teachers told the story of an old guy who liked the small skinny batteries because he would tip them out and take battery box and all down to the basement for the winter where he had the trickle chargers that technically is best keeping it warm and cozy and full of water.

Nowadays people are a bit more concerned with fire they do create methane gas id rather have that outside and not have 12 batteries cooking downstairs.

 

[Jim.ME]

If you are willing to look for a caterpillar 24v maintainer you could hardwire it in across both batteries and then just have to plug it in. That is the most likely to give you the best results and keep it simple

One of my shop teachers told the story of an old guy who liked the small skinny batteries because he would tip them out and take battery box and all down to the basement for the winter where he had the trickle chargers that technically is best keeping it warm and cozy and full of water.

Nowadays people are a bit more concerned with fire they do create methane gas id rather have that outside and not have 12 batteries cooking downstairs.

Lead-acid batteries create methane gas? I always understood they produced primarily Hydrogen and oxygen. Methane was associated with lithium-ion thermal issues I thought.

 

[miangus]

It is normal for the factory 24-volt system to have the gen light on at low RPMs. My 1964 3020 has done that since it was new, just idle it up a bit. Since it is a diesel although the light is on unless you have the headlights on it is not running the battery down.

 

[Tx Jim]

Can I use one maintainer and leave the battery cables connected? Or is there a better method to use the maintain the batteries? TIA

No as others stated each battery would need it's own 12 volt maintainer

 

[m16ty]

Not to hijack this thread....I own a 1968 3020 Diesel with 24V system. When I am not using the tractor, especially during the winter, I connect battery maintainers to the batteries. I disconnect the cables on each battery and then connect the maintainers (one per battery).

Can I use one maintainer and leave the battery cables connected? Or is there a better method to use the maintain the batteries? TIA

No, you can’t leave both batteries connected and charge them both at the same time, unless you have a 24v maintainer. Charging or maintaining really doesn’t work well at 24v. You are better off to charge/maintain each battery separately, that way it keep both batteries in balance.
If the batteries ever get out of balance, your tractor charging system will always be overcharging one battery and undercharging the other one. This causes the batteries to not last very long.

 

[farmer52]

Thanks everyone for your comments/suggestions. I currently disconnect the cables and use two (2) 12V maintainers. I will continue this practice.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

Lead-acid batteries create methane gas? I always understood they produced primarily Hydrogen and oxygen. Methane was associated with lithium-ion thermal issues I thought.

Whoops you are correct hydrogen. Still boom. My bad though.

I had been getting rid of a couple first generation computers and lithium tools last week and had been to the landfill where they have a separate recycling area and had methane on the brain.

 

[Lumbersawyer]

When my 4010 was still 24 volts, I bought a 24-volt wheelchair charger. I still have it. I have the 24-volt generator and starter in my garage but I'm much happier with the 12-volt alternator and starter. I kept both batteries in parallel. I am odd I know, but I don't like 6-volt stuff either.

 

[61-4010]

Love the 24v system on my 1961 4010. Provided you keep it maintained, it will serve you well. I use a 24v BatteryMinder on mine at all times. I do not disconnect the batteries. Just make sure to check and fill the battery levels periodically. Having to buy a new set of batteries for her in the next couple weeks as they are spent after 10 years. Current ones are NAPA 500 CCA but I see that JD has StrongBox 620 CCA. But the JD are $100 more than NAPA. Decisions decisions!

 

[farmer52]

Do you have a Rural King nearby? That is where I buy my batteries (lower price, better warranty). Good luck!
I may invest in a 24V charger/maintainer.

 

[Northvale PA]

My two cents, my 4010 starter broke and a 24v replacement cost as much as a new 12v conversion kit. So I changed it to 12v and couldn’t be happier. Starts better and the lights are brighter.