6 or 12 volt

[terry/mich]

i"m trying too figure out if i have a 6 or 12 volt system. i do have an altenator , i.m not sure if the altenator made in a 6 volt also. my tractor is in major rebuild stage, so i can"t test anything.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Alternators have been made in 6 volt but are rare. You could probably take the alternator to a car parts store and have them check it if it has an internal regulator. Or you could rig it up on the work bench with its regulator and see if it generates and what voltage it makes. Might need a touch from a battery to get it started, though the last time I checked a Delco self excited for me at about 1400 rpm alternator shaft.

Gerald J.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Do you have a 12V battery? Odds are your alternator is a 12V negative ground. They are the most common. make sure that you ground your battery appropriately

 

[terry/mich]

i looked at the battery, it looks like a 12 volt. but too be sure. i"ll take it in. i need too order new headlights,coil and conversion kit for points and condenser.

 

[Anonymous-0]

One other check. Look for numbers on the lamps. 6 volt lamps have different numbers than 12 volt lamps and 6 volt lamps burn out rapidly at 12 volts.

Points and condenser don't change for 12 volts, just the coil or the 6 volt coil needs a ballast resistor to work on 12 volts.

Gerald J.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Count the cells on the battery. If there ar 6 , it"s a 12v if there are 3, it"s a 6v. Or measure the voltage with a volt meter. if you don"t have one, you can get cheap analog meters for under $5 that can help you trouble shoot your tractor electrical system.

 

[terry/mich]

gerald and jerry, thanks for your help. its a 12 volt system. i counted the cells in the battery. i"m sure glad you guys are here too help!