Cub generator questions

[amtrac]

Having problems with my 1950 cub generator system so I am researching the possibility of replacing the generator/voltage regulator with an alternator. I have been told a Delco Remy 10SI will fit under the hood without having to cut the hood. Can anyone verify this? Question #2: If I obtain a Delco 12V 18 amp alternator and convert it to 6 volt positive ground with a kit (that is readily available), will the amperage output change to around 36 amps? If so, is that enough amps to run the Cub's three lights and the ignition system or should I go to a higher amp alternator to start with? I have a 1931 Ford Model A that was having generator problems so I installed a Nurex one wire alternator 6V pos ground. The alternator is so much better than the generator and I have had no issues with it. Want to hear some opinions from others who may have done this procedure on a Cub. Ron

 

[Charlie M]

I have a 47 Cub converted to 12 volts when I got it. Wiring was a mess and alternator was not working. I bought a mini1-wire alternator from Steiner (maybe this site has it, don't know) along with the bracket and everything hooked up perfectly. Lights were already 12 volt. It does crank the motor like crazy and maybe too fast for the mag on mine as it doesn't start the tractor as quick as one might expect. I don't know if the 10si will fit under the hood but definitely no reason to cut the hood to get an alternator in there.

 

[Red Dave]

Having problems with my 1950 cub generator system so I am researching the possibility of replacing the generator/voltage regulator with an alternator. I have been told a Delco Remy 10SI will fit under the hood without having to cut the hood. Can anyone verify this? Question #2: If I obtain a Delco 12V 18 amp alternator and convert it to 6 volt positive ground with a kit (that is readily available), will the amperage output change to around 36 amps? If so, is that enough amps to run the Cub's three lights and the ignition system or should I go to a higher amp alternator to start with? I have a 1931 Ford Model A that was having generator problems so I installed a Nurex one wire alternator 6V pos ground. The alternator is so much better than the generator and I have had no issues with it. Want to hear some opinions from others who may have done this procedure on a Cub. Ron

I have no experience with putting an alternator on a Cub, but what you describe sounds reasonable. And yes, if you halve the voltage you should theoretically increase the ampere capacity by double.

But, if your Cub uses a magneto for ignition, you really shouldn't need to change the polarity or voltage of the alternator, just change the light bulbs to 12 volt bulbs. The starter will work just fine on 12 volts and it won't care about the polarity. If it is battery ignition, all you would need to do is add a resistor in the coil primary circuit, or replace the coil with a 12 volt coil in addition to changing bulbs.

 

[Rodney51Cub]

I have Delco alternators on both my Cubs. When I got them the 6 volt systems were in very bad shape so I went with an alternator and all new wiring. Yes the Delco alternator fits under the hood.

 

[grandpa Love]

I have a 47 Cub converted to 12 volts when I got it. Wiring was a mess and alternator was not working. I bought a mini1-wire alternator from Steiner (maybe this site has it, don't know) along with the bracket and everything hooked up perfectly. Lights were already 12 volt. It does crank the motor like crazy and maybe too fast for the mag on mine as it doesn't start the tractor as quick as one might expect. I don't know if the 10si will fit under the hood but definitely no reason to cut the hood to get an alternator in there.

Cranks like crazy,but doesn't start as quick as one might expect?? All my Cubs,6 volt or 12 volt,will fire up so quickly you can't let go of the starter button or rod fast enough. Good tune up, valves and timing perfectly adjusted..... happy Cubs start fast

 

[used red MN]

I don’t think you’ll find an 18 amp 10si alternator. Common amp ratings were 37, 63 and 80. Whichever one you get it will provide all the power the lights on your Cub will ever use. I personally agree with just changing it to 12 volt negative ground. Take the money you would spend on the 6 volt positive ground alternator conversion kit and use it to buy 12 volt light bulbs.

 

[crsutton81]

Having problems with my 1950 cub generator system so I am researching the possibility of replacing the generator/voltage regulator with an alternator. I have been told a Delco Remy 10SI will fit under the hood without having to cut the hood. Can anyone verify this? Question #2: If I obtain a Delco 12V 18 amp alternator and convert it to 6 volt positive ground with a kit (that is readily available), will the amperage output change to around 36 amps? If so, is that enough amps to run the Cub's three lights and the ignition system or should I go to a higher amp alternator to start with? I have a 1931 Ford Model A that was having generator problems so I installed a Nurex one wire alternator 6V pos ground. The alternator is so much better than the generator and I have had no issues with it. Want to hear some opinions from others who may have done this procedure on a Cub. Ron

I converted my youngest son's '53 Cub over to 12v. We used the Mini alternator and brackets from Brillman. This site may have something similar. Seems like it was about a 36 Amp alternator. No hood cutting or other major changes had to be done for it to install. He has the original 3 12v headlights, plus he also added a flood light under the floorboard for nighttime cultivating after school hours. There has not been a problem whatsoever with keeping things charged up even while using all 4 lights.

 

[amtrac]

I have Delco alternators on both my Cubs. When I got them the 6 volt systems were in very bad shape so I went with an alternator and all new wiring. Yes the Delco alternator fits under the hood. View attachment 79994

Rodney, Thanks for verifying that the Delco 10SI alternator will fit under the hood. I have access to an 18 amp alternator. Now I have to check and see if a 12 volt battery will fit in the box. Then modify the cables. Change the bulbs, get a resistor so on and so forth. Seems easier just to convert the 10SI over to 6 volts and be done with it. Ron

 

[560Dennis]

Stay with the generator , find a good shop and have your generator rebuilt . As soon as I see an alternator on a tractor , I know it has issues.
Look at Some of post on YT and see the issue that are posted .

 

[used red MN]

As soon as I see an alternator on a tractor , I know it has issues

In MY opinion that line of reasoning is flawed. The problems have way more to do with the installer than the machine. You know generators and how to maintain them and keep them working, the majority of tractor hobbyist do not. If you don’t want modernization on your tractor that’s fine. Many like internally regulated alternators because if they are installed and wired right they are nearly plug and play… set it and forget it.

 

[amtrac]

Stay with the generator , find a good shop and have your generator rebuilt . As soon as I see an alternator on a tractor , I know it has issues.
Look at Some of post on YT and see the issue that are posted .

Dennis: Thanks for your response, but why do you think a tractor has issues when you see an alternator? Generators and Voltage regulators are 100 year old technology. I restored a John Deere 40, changed it over to 12V with an alternator and have had absolutely no problems with it over 10 years now. My shop guy rebuilt the starter to 12V because it was slamming the Bendix gear into the ring gear too hard and peening the teeth on the gear. I don't care to make all the necessary changes to my Cub in order to change it over to 12V. Seems like a simple solution to my charging problems and regulator problems can better be addressed by chucking the gen and VR and installing an alternator, properly wired and modified to 6V pos grd. My shop guy says he does this all the time with older tractors.

 

[560Dennis]

Dennis: Thanks for your response, but why do you think a tractor has issues when you see an alternator? Generators and Voltage regulators are 100 year old technology. I restored a John Deere 40, changed it over to 12V with an alternator and have had absolutely no problems with it over 10 years now. My shop guy rebuilt the starter to 12V because it was slamming the Bendix gear into the ring gear too hard and peening the teeth on the gear. I don't care to make all the necessary changes to my Cub in order to change it over to 12V. Seems like a simple solution to my charging problems and regulator problems can better be addressed by chucking the gen and VR and installing an alternator, properly wired and modified to 6V pos grd. My shop guy says he does this all the time with older tractors.

Thanks for sharing your comment asking why I feel there issues when I see an alternator. I Offer this as article as a reference to answer that . That way you can decide What to do . YT offers in resources some very informative articles.share this link

Converting Your Tractor From 6-Volt to 12-Volt

forums.yesterdaystractors.com

My comments for you to consider

I also found it interesting the experience you had with your 40 .

Comment on the conversation of a 60 cu inch 6.5 to one compression engine to 12 volt is only done to mask other issues ,non maintenance or misunderstanding of the cub process of generating,starting engine and use . I see no advantage to the conversion ,waste time and money .
this comment is a red flag of caution that evidence of issues ,and I feel, will devalue that cub on its resale.something's Beware of tractors with fresh paint and alternator is my advice ,buyers

Im believe , your headed the way of a 6 volt positive grounder Alternator. I have no experience with that set up for the model A mention.

I have a Delco 10si 6 volt positive ground alternator on my Farmall super C . The alternator low cost at AZ ,and the conversion to 6 volt ground on eBay . Cost is comparable to the cost of have the generator professionally rebuilt and a new voltage regulator.
Comments I can think of now is. The difference is I must rev engine to 1400rpm to excite to charge. Diameter of pulley Will improve your response .Also the cheap lamps from suppliers in new head lamp assemblies burn out fast with . Something to consider. there Are more, would like to install large design fan pulley for fast excite. Don’t know what’s available for cub. Don’t know if that really an issue to u , I have the set up sheet for the Delco I can share with you if you wish , my pleasure !

Whatever your choose i ,good luck , and I’m convinced you will be happy with your choice.

Century old technology : alternator on my 1924 Fordson f ignition system.
tip if you have the professional generator rebuilt take the regulator with you so the entire system can be confirmed satisfactory.

 

[amtrac]

Thanks for sharing your comment asking why I feel there issues when I see an alternator. I Offer this as article as a reference to answer that . That way you can decide What to do . YT offers in resources some very informative articles.share this link

Converting Your Tractor From 6-Volt to 12-Volt

forums.yesterdaystractors.com

My comments for you to consider

I also found it interesting the experience you had with your 40 .

Comment on the conversation of a 60 cu inch 5 to one compression engine to 12 volt is only done to mask other issues ,non maintenance or misunderstanding of the cub process of generating,starting engine and use . I see no advantage to the conversion ,waste time and money .
this comment is a red flag of caution that evidence of issues ,and I feel, will devalue that cub on its resale.something's Beware of tractors with fresh paint and alternator is my advice ,buyers

Im believe , your headed the way of a 6 volt positive grounder Alternator. I have no experience with that set up for the model A mention.

I have a Delco 10si 6 volt positive ground alternator on my Farmall super C . The alternator low cost at AZ ,and the conversion to 6 volt ground on eBay . Cost is comparable to the cost of have the generator professionally rebuilt and a new voltage regulator.
Comments I can think of now is. The difference is I must rev engine to 1400rpm to excite to charge. Diameter of pulley Will improve your response .Also the cheap lamps from suppliers in new head lamp assemblies burn out fast with . Something to consider. there Are more, would like to install large design fan pulley for fast excite. Don’t know what’s available for cub. Don’t know if that really an issue to u , I have the set up sheet for the Delco I can share with you if you wish , my pleasure !

Whatever your choose i ,good luck , and I’m convinced you will be happy with your choice.

Century old technology : alternator on my 1924 Fordson f ignition system.
tip if you have the professional generator rebuilt take the regulator with you so the entire system can be confirmed satisfactory.

Your insight is very much appreciated. My Cub has a "new" wiring harness, maybe 15 years old, looks professionally produced. All the wires are in good condition and verified as being correctly wired. New ammeter last winter now shows no movement either way no charge, no discharge, maybe an import. (?) I am on the third VR the present one guaranteed to be functioning correctly by my electrical shop. Cost me $130, IIRC. The generator was also bench tested and pronounced good by the same shop. Weird as it may seem, the original IH 6V coil, it's replacement, and now the Ford Model A coil get hot, however the Ford coil not so much. In my un-professional analysis, either the generator or the VR is malfunctioning, so that is why I am leaning towards the alternator. Just getting tired of messing with it as I did with my Model A car. Sure would like for someone to suggest a probable cause as I really would like to keep the original 6V gen system, but not as it is in it's current state.

 

[560Dennis]

Your insight is very much appreciated. My Cub has a "new" wiring harness, maybe 15 years old, looks professionally produced. All the wires are in good condition and verified as being correctly wired. New ammeter last winter now shows no movement either way no charge, no discharge, maybe an import. (?) I am on the third VR the present one guaranteed to be functioning correctly by my electrical shop. Cost me $130, IIRC. The generator was also bench tested and pronounced good by the same shop. Weird as it may seem, the original IH 6V coil, it's replacement, and now the Ford Model A coil get hot, however the Ford coil not so much. In my un-professional analysis, either the generator or the VR is malfunctioning, so that is why I am leaning towards the alternator. Just getting tired of messing with it as I did with my Model A car. Sure would like for someone to suggest a probable cause as I really would like to keep the original 6V gen system, but not as it is in it's current state.

Am , three VR , throwing up a red flag I had fr on the Farmall C s for forTy years , tied with something right now .
let me think on that

Real quick thought the vr regulator postive ground ? I smoke one once when I was a pup , I didn’t know !
Mine says positive ground on the back .
Check with yt or Brillmans
sorry your having issues trobles