John Deere D (1948 12 volt)

[Basil Greenleaf]

When I bought the D it had one 12 volt battery installed. The manual calls for two 6 volt batteries. The manual is not clear on how to hook up two 6 volt batteries to make a 12 volt system. What is the correct way to turn two 6 volts into a 12 volt or should I stay with one 12 volt battery? Thanks for your help. Basil

 

[RandyB(MI)]

To stay at 6 volt you hook positive to positive and neg to neg,called "parallel" If you want 12 v out of two 6,s you hook pos of one to neg of other. Called "series" connection.

 

[David from Kansas]

Guess it just depends on if you want to keep it original. I have an AR with 2 6V batteries and it works OK but I am constantly cleaning the cables and battery hold-downs. Less problems with one 12V battery. Just be sure to get plenty of CCA. With 2 6V you just hook them up like the manual tells you to make it 12V.

 

[machineryman]

Batteries are hooked in parallel, same voltage more amps or series with higher voltage. When the old D came out single 12 volt batteries may not even have existed. I think 12 volt originated in autos around 1955.

 

[Jim in rush co]

You brought back some memories. Even with the 2- 6volt batteries they still didn't turn over that great. I stood on the ground many a time with right hand on starter button and left hand on the flywheel helping over compression.

 

[Basil Greenleaf]

That is great picture. I'm not sure how JD got away with putting the starter button and choke so far away from the seat. They should have taken a lesson from AC and used pull rods. I'm glad you shared the picture and the best of luck to you. Basil

 

[Jim in rush co]

I spent a lot of hours on that old D. I didn't find the old picture my Mom had taken until several yrs later, that is me 61yrs ago at 12 or 13. Had that old D ganged to a 50 when the 50 was about 1yr. old. I would take the D into town to the elevator in summer and they would use to move loaded cars of wheat, it was the largest tractor around back then.

 

[Basil Greenleaf]

I hope you didn't have far to go. Top speed of the D is 4.67 miles per hour. I was raised on Ford 8 N's. Farming 240 acres with my dad and brother. I knew how to set the points at 10 years old and keep on plowing or disking. In the thumb of Michigan most of the farmers had JD'S and we always knew when they went to the field. I am going to put a large 12 volt battery in my D to spin it over faster.