Alternator or Generator

[Anonymous-0]

Yesterdays Tractors dot COM…

I am in the process of restoring a 1947 John Deere D tractor, s/n 172483. The tractor has a starter and lights, but the generator is gone. I have been looking for a generator. I would like to get a new wire harness, light switch and starter switch. Alternator or Generator is the question. I have located a place online that has new wire harnesses available. Q.1, Should I be looking for an alternator, and how big? Originally the tractor is a 12v system (using two big 6v batteries). Q.2, (IF), I can find two 6v batteries should I use them, OR should I go for one 12v battery, and the alternator OR would an alternator be able to charge up two 6v batteries (IF) I can find them?

I will appreciate any counsel you can give me.



Sincerely,

John I. Pyke

Beverly and John Pyke
[email protected]
It doesn't matter where you go in life...
It's who you have beside you!!

 

[Mike (WA)]

I'm all for alternators on older "working" tractors, but just seems like it would look out of place on a vintage D. I'd go with a generator- pretty much any Delco would work, with a compatible voltage regulator. Don't know why anyone would have 2- 6 volts on a gas rig- some say that two 6 volts in series will give more cranking amps than a single 12, which is important on a diesel, but I've had both setups on my Oliver diesel, and couldn't tell a nickel's worth of difference- so I'm back to a single 12. Pretty much any battery will have enough soup to start your D- I'd just measure the battery box and get one to fit. If you do go with an alternator, get a Delco 10 SI series- 37 amps is plenty. DON'T go with a "one wire"- I don't think your D will rev high enough to "excite" it to produce juice.

 

[Bob]

If originality is NOT important, use a 10SI Delco alternator. since the orignal generator wasonly capably of 15 to 25 Amps, ANY alternator will be bigger than that. Put the smallest pulley you can get on the alternator to get it's speed up.

You can use 2 BIG 6 Volt batteries in series, or two high CCA 12 Volt batteries in parallel... either will work.

 

[kendak]

don't know what the "D" turns but one wire alt. works good on my 820D, 730LP,730D,720LP, 60gas , 630LP, [3] "A's",530 gas & last but not least my WD-45 puller....Auto Zone for $67....Kent

 

[Leroy]

John Deere used from factory 2 6 volt batteries on the A, G, & D series as there was not a big enough 12 volt avaible at that time to handle the load and 2 6 volt gave lots better performance. And that D will only run at about 900 RPM, way to low for an alternator and on the D's that I have seen the generator does not mount to drive of the fan shaft but from someplace by the govener case, do not know if that would be a faster drive. 6 volt are common to get, they are a group 1 that you want and not a group 2 as the 2 will not fit the boxes.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thank You!!!!!!!