John Deere A ignition

[LWG]

Hi guys. I'm to get a 1948 John Deere A, that has been setting for fifteen +years, running to sell. It had a dead 8 volt battery in it and the generator says 12 volt. An 8 volt battery is expensive and harder to find than a 6 or 12. What would you do, put it back to the 6v, put in a new 8v, or upgrade to the 12? Thanks!

 

[Fixingfarmer]

12v cheap car battery will be fine

There’s a ton of room under the seat mine has a big tractor battery I woke up from a dead pair off the 8220. Anything with top post and around 500 cca and above which describes most decent car battery choices.

 

[a49deere]

Should have been 12v, positive ground originally. they used two-6v batteries in series to get the 12v for starter and lights. a 12v battery will work, make sure to hook positive to tractor frame.

 

[matthies]

Does it have a mag or distributor? The reason I ask is that since it had an 8V battery would need a resistor for the points if putting a 12V battery in. Wouldn't think an 8 volt would even spin the engine.

 

[LWG]

Does it have a mag or distributor? The reason I ask is that since it had an 8V battery would need a resistor for the points if putting a 12V battery in. Wouldn't think an 8 volt would even spin the engine.

It'a a distributor. I'm concerned that if I put a 12v battery in, I may cook the coil or something else that was set up for a lower voltage.

 

[matthies]

Get an ignition resistor and wire it in after the switch on the wire going to the coil. You will appreciate the 12 volts when starting.