Going 12Volt

[Anonymous-0]

I have a Jubilee NAA and am considering changing it over to a 12 volt system. What are the pros and cons to doing this. My 6 volt gen. has a broken mount on it so that is causing me to think maybe I should take this step. Any advise would be appreciated. John

 

[don't_no_nothing]

If your 6 volt generator is still working good, I"d replace the bracket or get it welded. That would be cheaper in the long run. If it ain"t broke don"t fix it kind of thing.

 

[HCooke]

Lots of posts on this issue in the archives. Convert to 12 volt - you need alternator, battery, and maybe new lights. Add it up vs fixing replacing the generator. There are more messages on this board re 12v conversion and ensuing problems than any other single repair issue.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Other than brighter lights, a faster spinning starter & the ability to operate 12v auxiliary equipment, a 12v conversion isn't going to make a poorly running tractor run better. From my experience, I've only found two reasons to convert to 12v: If you need to run 12v equipment (sprayers, pumps, lights, etc) or your N has poor compression (like less than 90 lbs) and you do not want to rebuild it, then a 12v conversion makes sense. Otherwise, some folks end up trading one set of problems for another. If the tractor is hard to start in cold weather (or any weather) they should find out why & fix it! These tractors have low compression, low HP engines and will start just fine on 6v.

There is nothing inherently 'wrong' w/ a 12v conversion. The problem is that there are about 6 different ways to convert the tractor to 12v, all of them work, and an infinite number of ways to do it wrong. If the owner has a basic understanding of tractor mechanics, he could buy a quality kit & do it correctly. Or, he could buy an alternator & fabricate brackets. Of course, if the owner had a basic understanding of tractor mechanics, he could just as easily fix the problem that he was trying to cure with the 12v conversion. Most problems we read about w/ 12v conversions are as a result of folks getting in over their heads trying to fabricate a conversion, using inferior kits or using kits w/ directions written in Chinese, or buying tractors w/ "Bubba" conversions and now the new owner is stuck with trying to figure it out. I can tell you that a wage earning mechanic known to many of us on this board summed up every conversion kit he was familiar with by saying that all are bad & some are worse. He makes his own for that very reason.

All four of my N's are 6v & they all four start the first time, every time, no matter what the weather. You will find that to be the case with folks who live in a lot of places much colder than VA.

Now before the 12v advocates give me a spanking, let me add that lots of folks around here have 12v conversions & are perfectly happy w/ them because the conversions were done correctly. 12v is also more forgiving of poor grounds/weak cables, etc than 6v, so keeping everything "clean, bright & tight" in the system is not as critical. 12v gives you twice as much current & a faster spinning starter. And, because 6v headlights are 35w & 12v are 55w, the headlights are brighter.

You will spend probably $160 for a kit. If you install it correctly you will have an easy starting tractor for a long time. And, the 12 conversion will have just about nothing to do w/ the good performance. What will make the real difference is the new wiring, cables, clean grounds & new battery.

Plenty of 6v tractors start just fine in MI, NY, WI.....and have been doing so for years. Because they have the correct size cables, good batteries, & clean, bright & tight grounds & connections. And, the correct gaskets in the distributor.
50 Tips

 

[Danny in CO]

I converted my 48 8N to 12 volts about 7 years ago and have not regretted it. Having said that, I agree with the others that if the only thing wrong with your genny is the braket, fixing that would be cheaper than converting.

Are there other reasons why you want to convert?

Danny

 

[Jim WI]

Fixing the bracket is gonna be cheaper than doing a conversion right. (BTW, my 2N is 12V.)

 

[Ultradog MN]

*12V spins your engine faster and starts it better in all conditions, especially if it is very cold or if the engine has marginal compression.
*12V with an alternator is far more reliable and uses a solid state VR instead of a decrepit system of points, coils and electromagnets to regulate the charging voltage.
If you don't think solid state is better show me a flat screen TV or Cell phone that uses tubes and I'll buy you a cup of coffee.
*12V is more forgiving of dirty contacts on/in the entire wiring harness.
*12v is the industry standard and has been for nearly 50 years. That's longer than 6V ever was and getting longer every year.
*12v allows you to run sprayer pumps, flashing lights, winches and a host of other modern accessories on your tractor.
*12V lights are brighter.
*A 12v alternator will easily put out more amps than an old fashioned generator and vr.
*An alternator will charge at an idle. Generator usually will not.
*A 12v system is safer, ie: Most people know how to jump a 12v negative ground car, truck or tractor. How many people know how to safely jump a 6v positive ground tractor with a 12 battery without something exploding in their faces?
*6v requires big hairy - big as your thumb wires and cables throughout the system.
*12v batteries are to be found just about anywhere and are cheaper than 6v and are usually maintenance free.
*12v lets you convert to electronic ignition easily.
* And last but not least, who needs an odd ball 6v tractor? Like, what kind of battery is in your car, your boat, your RV, your classic car or even your 4 wheeler or snowmobile if you got them? Why have that odd ball? And yes in a pinch a snowmobile or 4 wheeler battery will start and run an N just fine. BTDT

 

[36 Coupe]

Utra has been drinking again.My 6 volt 600 starts fine.

 

[36 Coupe]

Tip 51 Never spend money you dont have to .Dont buy a hula hoop because your neighbor has one.

 

[36 Coupe]

Dufus is too dumb to fix the 6 volt parts so he spends 200 bucks on new 12 volt parts.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Tell me which of my points are incorrect and I will change or delete it from my list.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 18:54:26 07/30/10) I have a Jubilee NAA and am considering changing it over to a 12 volt system. What are the pros and cons to doing this. My 6 volt gen. has a broken mount on it so that is causing me to think maybe I should take this step. Any advise would be appreciated. John

This is not the standard P.O.S. front mount coil set up some folks are stuck with that have their very own set of issues mainly being the owners are to stupid to convert it correctly,,, so it builds a good flowing of shepherds...

Yer NAA will convert EZ,,, and be better,,, far better off....

You would probably be better off on the Ford board,,,, were they are not stuck with tractors that have issues converting.... like yours

 

[souNdguy]

if it's a working system.. i think I'd fix the bracket.

if it's not a working system, you got a couple options. get the vreg and genny from a diesel 01 and go at it.. or get the conversion bracket set and hang a delco 10si on it.

soundguy

 

[37john]

This is a tractor that I am restoring. It always starts good on 6 volt so I'm not against repairing the gen. and leaving it at 6 volt. I just wanted to get a feel from you guys what would make the tractor a better tractor in the long run- 6 or 12 ? I guess being able to hook up 12 volt accessories to it has some appeal to me.

 

[souNdguy]

and you can jump start stuff with it.. etc.

if 'restoring' it.. I'd go with a 12v genny from an 01 diesel.. so it will look the same 'cept the battery.. etc..

soundguy

 

[36 Coupe]

I would say half of them are BS not advantages.My sprayer has its own battery.If Dufus cant care for a 6 volt system he cant do any better with 12 volt.

 

[Ultradog MN]

LOL
Well then if only half of them are BS as you say then I will assume the other half are correct.
Still plenty of reasons to convert don't you think?
And since you are too scornful to tell me which ones to delete I guess I'll just have to keep posting the entire bunch of them every time the subject comes up.

 

[lha]

My '41 9n starts,charges,runs well on 6v+g.A pretty good percentage of the posts here are about 12v conversions.Nuff said.---lha

 

[pikewi]

I new your post would start something.
I think you should split the difference and convert to 9 volt LOL

 

[jon]

12 volt conversions are a great way to meet a lot of members on the board. They always seem to keep coming back wondering why their tractor won't start/charge/run etc. :lol:
On the bright side there are many great minds here that will give knowledgeable advice regardless of which way you go.
Your needs, your tractor, welcome aboard.

 

[Tom Jubilee]

I have a 12 Jub 12v. Works great. I got it with the 12v so cannot compare to a 6v. so all I can say is my 12v works well for me

 

[36 Coupe]

put some numbers on them.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 22:02:16 07/30/10) Utra has been drinking again.My 6 volt 600 starts fine.

A outhouse works just find and severs the need,,, I sure nuff enjoy the luxury of a inside chit house.... So much I installed one in my shop 8)

I enjoy hear'n a 6V grunt to life,,, always have my fingers crossed tho,,, I have a 6V VW bug in storage for a customer and lite it off once in awhile,,,, if it does not lite off rite quick I artificially inseminate it,,, I dread have'n to take the special precautions of charging/jump'n the battery.... When the time comes for her to put it to use I spec shes not gonna be able to put up with this,,,, and to think I could have converted it she would have paid up no problem....

It does have a extra power wire he husband added under the engine cover to power up the starter from the engine side and the air cleaner is left loose to force feed it fuel,,, just some of the ways to work around 6V issues,,, it starts just find when you go the extra mile...

My 850 sets in front of it,,,, good thaNG ITS 12V,,, I don't think I could deal with two sub par 6V systems at a time....

I opened my first shop in 1979,,, the first piece of equipment I brought was a mega bad arse battery charger,,,, went thru a partnership break up in 2000,,, re-opend as a sole proprietorship,,, the first piece of equipment I brought was a mega bad arse battery charger....

To things need to operate good,,, the staring system and the brakes,,, one can deal/live with issues that happen between the two,,, gotta start it and stop it,,, if either can be upgraded to a more efficient system its not throwing away money...

I do miss all the money I made on no starts,,,, all the money I made on tune ups,,, those were the days,,,, I had the 50/500 rule,,, at 50K it would cost $500 to tune it up,,, rebuild the carb and fix oil leaks,,, those were the days..... then came the feed back carbs,,, rules changed,,, 80/800 rule,,, some 80/1000 rule,,, then some dufuss added fuel injection,,, just make sure the oil plug does not leak you are good to go....

 

[Devious]

Yessiree HoBo I have wished for an outhouse to be near lots of times in the last few yrs. I would bet you are glad it is that close also. That need becomes greater as time goes by. I tell my folks it is a sign of being a gentlman and not P--s--g on their cars tires. Dell taught me that. Devious

 

[Ultradog MN]

Good post Hobo
I went out with friends for burgers and a beer last night. Sitting in front of the bar were half a dozen Harleys. One of them was an older one - still had spoke wheels and drum brakes with mechanical linkage. The others had modern mag style wheels and hyd disc brakes.
I got to thinking about all the improvements made to autos, bikes and tractors over the years - stuff we take for granted now as normal.
I also got to thinking about this board and all the hostility to going 12V. I wonder if the 6V folks here would say that drum brakes are as good as disc brakes and spoked wheels are as good as mags. Sure the old stuff is adequate - gets your arse down the road and stops it when it needs to. But is it as good? Does the old Harley really stop as well? Do the spoke wheels never need truing? Are the old systems as reliable, safe and maintenance free?
I don't think so.
And as for you spending money on your tractor -
heck I could care less about that issue.
You'll see a guy spend hundred$ on some original lights or some NOS doo dad and folks here will ooh and aah over the thing. Yet the same folks will wince and cry when it comes to spending $50 on a 12V conversion or $100 on EI - both of which actually make your tractor Better. That's the part that makes no sense to me.

 

[jdchet]

[b:114044fe9b]Here's my 2 cents.........[/b:114044fe9b]

(quoted from post at 17:48:45 07/30/10) *12V spins your engine faster and starts it better in all conditions, especially if it is very cold or if the engine has marginal compression.
[b:114044fe9b]Not a big fan of covering up another problem like a worn engine with 12v conv. Use money towards fixing the problem correctly the first time![/b:114044fe9b]
*12V with an alternator is far more reliable and uses a solid state VR instead of a decrepit system of points, coils and electromagnets to regulate the charging voltage.
If you don't think solid state is better show me a flat screen TV or Cell phone that uses tubes and I'll buy you a cup of coffee.
[b:114044fe9b]I'll give you this one, especially if your 6 volt system is all effed up anyway! However as far as tubes versus solid state you will find most electric guitar players will dispute the solid state is better than tubes argument![/b:114044fe9b]
*12V is more forgiving of dirty contacts on/in the entire wiring harness.
[b:114044fe9b]But 12v won't forgive forever! No substitute for proper care![/b:114044fe9b]
*12v is the industry standard and has been for nearly 50 years. That's longer than 6V ever was and getting longer every year.
[b:114044fe9b]They also got away from flathead engines too, but i don't think we're all gonna start popping OHV or OHC engines with fuel injection in our N's for that reason.[/b:114044fe9b]
*12v allows you to run sprayer pumps, flashing lights, winches and a host of other modern accessories on your tractor.
[b:114044fe9b]Totally agree with this reason![/b:114044fe9b]
*12V lights are brighter.
[b:114044fe9b]Can't argue with this one either![/b:114044fe9b]
*A 12v alternator will easily put out more amps than an old fashioned generator and vr.
[b:114044fe9b]But the original 6v generator takes care of the normal needs of the N just fine![/b:114044fe9b]
*An alternator will charge at an idle. Generator usually will not.
[b:114044fe9b]See above[/b:114044fe9b]
*A 12v system is safer, ie: Most people know how to jump a 12v negative ground car, truck or tractor. How many people know how to safely jump a 6v positive ground tractor with a 12 battery without something exploding in their faces?
[b:114044fe9b]Agreed, but anybody doing anything on or around these or any farm tractor should be careful about safety! You can blow up a 12 v battery too![/b:114044fe9b]
*6v requires big hairy - big as your thumb wires and cables throughout the system.
[b:114044fe9b]I think they look cool! JK![/b:114044fe9b]
*12v batteries are to be found just about anywhere and are cheaper than 6v and are usually maintenance free.
[b:114044fe9b]I've never had a problem finding a 6v battery and don't find them to be all that much more $ than 12v.[/b:114044fe9b]
*12v lets you convert to electronic ignition easily.
[b:114044fe9b]I am not a big fan of 6v electronic ignition so if IE is your deal then by all means go 12v. [/b:114044fe9b]
* And last but not least, who needs an odd ball 6v tractor? Like, what kind of battery is in your car, your boat, your RV, your classic car or even your 4 wheeler or snowmobile if you got them? Why have that odd ball? And yes in a pinch a snowmobile or 4 wheeler battery will start and run an N just fine. BTDT
[b:114044fe9b]I like oddball[/b:114044fe9b]!

color=red:114044fe9b][/color:114044fe9b][b:114044fe9b][/b:114044fe9b]

These are my own opinions and of course everyone has the right to disagree. I find part of the charm of these tractors is listening to them groan to life with their 6 volt systems. However these tractors are different things to different owners! My point is make sure you have a truly good reason to convert YOUR tractor to 12v!

JD :roll:

 

[36 Coupe]

You can paint your A blue since it yours but I dont want to see it.It wont work any better but may prevent sun burn.My Indian Chief stopped fine in the 50s and never lost it brakes because some fluid leaked out.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 15:56:45 08/02/10) [b:cb2cda01c3]Here's my 2 cents.........[/b:cb2cda01c3]

(quoted from post at 17:48:45 07/30/10) *12V spins your engine faster and starts it better in all conditions, especially if it is very cold or if the engine has marginal compression.
[b:cb2cda01c3]Not a big fan of covering up another problem like a worn engine with 12v conv. Use money towards fixing the problem correctly the first time![/b:cb2cda01c3]
*12V with an alternator is far more reliable and uses a solid state VR instead of a decrepit system of points, coils and electromagnets to regulate the charging voltage.
If you don't think solid state is better show me a flat screen TV or Cell phone that uses tubes and I'll buy you a cup of coffee.
[b:cb2cda01c3]I'll give you this one, especially if your 6 volt system is all effed up anyway! However as far as tubes versus solid state you will find most electric guitar players will dispute the solid state is better than tubes argument![/b:cb2cda01c3]
*12V is more forgiving of dirty contacts on/in the entire wiring harness.
[b:cb2cda01c3]But 12v won't forgive forever! No substitute for proper care![/b:cb2cda01c3]
*12v is the industry standard and has been for nearly 50 years. That's longer than 6V ever was and getting longer every year.
[b:cb2cda01c3]They also got away from flathead engines too, but i don't think we're all gonna start popping OHV or OHC engines with fuel injection in our N's for that reason.[/b:cb2cda01c3]
*12v allows you to run sprayer pumps, flashing lights, winches and a host of other modern accessories on your tractor.
[b:cb2cda01c3]Totally agree with this reason![/b:cb2cda01c3]
*12V lights are brighter.
[b:cb2cda01c3]Can't argue with this one either![/b:cb2cda01c3]
*A 12v alternator will easily put out more amps than an old fashioned generator and vr.
[b:cb2cda01c3]But the original 6v generator takes care of the normal needs of the N just fine![/b:cb2cda01c3]
*An alternator will charge at an idle. Generator usually will not.
[b:cb2cda01c3]See above[/b:cb2cda01c3]
*A 12v system is safer, ie: Most people know how to jump a 12v negative ground car, truck or tractor. How many people know how to safely jump a 6v positive ground tractor with a 12 battery without something exploding in their faces?
[b:cb2cda01c3]Agreed, but anybody doing anything on or around these or any farm tractor should be careful about safety! You can blow up a 12 v battery too![/b:cb2cda01c3]
*6v requires big hairy - big as your thumb wires and cables throughout the system.
[b:cb2cda01c3]I think they look cool! JK![/b:cb2cda01c3]
*12v batteries are to be found just about anywhere and are cheaper than 6v and are usually maintenance free.
[b:cb2cda01c3]I've never had a problem finding a 6v battery and don't find them to be all that much more $ than 12v.[/b:cb2cda01c3]
*12v lets you convert to electronic ignition easily.
[b:cb2cda01c3]I am not a big fan of 6v electronic ignition so if IE is your deal then by all means go 12v. [/b:cb2cda01c3]
* And last but not least, who needs an odd ball 6v tractor? Like, what kind of battery is in your car, your boat, your RV, your classic car or even your 4 wheeler or snowmobile if you got them? Why have that odd ball? And yes in a pinch a snowmobile or 4 wheeler battery will start and run an N just fine. BTDT
[b:cb2cda01c3]I like oddball[/b:cb2cda01c3]!

color=red:cb2cda01c3][/color:cb2cda01c3][b:cb2cda01c3][/b:cb2cda01c3]

These are my own opinions and of course everyone has the right to disagree. I find part of the charm of these tractors is listening to them groan to life with their 6 volt systems. However these tractors are different things to different owners! My point is make sure you have a truly good reason to convert YOUR tractor to 12v!

JD :roll:

Bububububububbubu but lotta hog wash their,,, why no admit you do not know how to convert and just happy try'n and keep yer sub-par P.O.S. 6V run'n on cheap chines parts

 

[jdchet]

[b:05d601979c][i:05d601979c][color=darkred:05d601979c][/color:05d601979c]All the 12 volt stuff is "Made in the USA"? Wow! Who knew? Gotta move that reason right to the top of the list! LMAO

JD :? :lol: [/i:05d601979c][/b:05d601979c]

 

[Ramrod]

My NAA is 12v and I love it. I mow at night and before dawn, so bright headlights is a good thing, but not enough. I added 12v front and rear work lights and now I can see everything around me. A 12v Interstate battery is another good thing, as a good 6v battery is hard to find and pricey. Do battery tenders even come in 6v? How about charging your cell phone? I added satellite radio to my NAA, couldn't do that with a 6v system.

My tractor has to work for a living, so 12v makes good sense. I also work on a 6v 8N, but it seems so much more complicated than my 12v NAA with all the voltage regulators and resistors and stuff.

 

[Ramrod]

WOW! I have been away from this forum for a long time after getting my NAA project under control...

You guys have gotten GRUMPY.

This a lotta rubarb over 12v or 6v...

 

[jdchet]

Like I said before...........if a 12volt conversion is good for [u:4897b04aa9]YOUR[/u:4897b04aa9] tractor and the way [u:4897b04aa9]YOU[/u:4897b04aa9] use it then, by all means, go for it! Just don't be converting it for the wrong reasons! If it's running fine on 6 volt and it "ain't broke,don't fix it"!
I was just kinda being a "Devils Advocate" with Ultradog's list. It's his tractor, his reasons, and if they work for him or anyone else that agree's with him, great!

JD 8)
Liking his POS 6volt 8N that starts everytime winter(in NY) or summer.