Model A 12 volt conversion

[MikinInd]

I have a 1944 John Deere model A that I'm considering doing a 12 volt conversion on. What all will this entail on this tractor? This tractor has a distributor from a later model tractor installed instead of the factory mag. I'd like use a 12 volt generator over an alternator to keep it looking more original if that's possible. Pros or cons of this? Even though this tractor isn't very original it would save having to fabricate a way to mount an alternator. Will I need to keep it a positive ground system? Thanks in advance!

 

[jerry-ohio]

You can use positive ground with a generator. Not so with a alt. Either use a 12 volt coil for dist. or get a resistor that cuts voltage to 6 volts going to coil. Change bulbs to 12 volts.

 

[Bob]

"You can use positive ground with a generator. Not so with a alt."

WHY would you say that? (+) ground alternators are readily obtainable, if (for some reason) 12 Volts (+) ground with an alternator is what he would like to do.

 

[old]

There are 12 volt generators so if yo want to stay that way you can. That said it is not all that hard to mount an alternator on most tractors. Most you can use all tread and use the generator mount turn up side down. Of course you would then need to wire it up.

 

[Mitch D]

I just converted a Farmall M for a customer. Kept the original generator and put new parts on the inside to make it 12 volt. Place resister ahead of the coil (Personaly prefer "12v no external resistor required" coil) and change bulbs. Sure helps them crank over better.

 

[Old weldor]

Why are you concerned about making it look original when it's got the wrong seat on it?

 

[jerry-ohio]

I said that because most alts. used on todays cars and trucks are neg. ground. I was trying to save him the expense of burning up a alt if not hooked up properly. Sure, you can buy anything. What would happen if some one who didn't know the difference hook up a battery.

 

[MikinInd]

Mostly because I don't care for the look of an alternator on an old tractor like this. I'm well aware that the seat is incorrect for the year but I'm going to keep this tractor as it came from the last farmer that used it years ago. It may not be "factory authentic" but it is "farmer authentic" and I like it that way. Plus that seat is much more comfortable lol.

 

[pete 23]

You John Deere guys get on each other just like the Case and IH guys do. Funny.

 

[FBH44]

I did a 12V conversion on my red tractor, and it starts much better and has never failed to start. But I'm not sure I'd do it again. The old problem was the starter would sometimes just "Chunk" and stick, and not start, and I'd have to unbolt it, jiggle it, and reinstall. Would always start then. Howevber, what it does, and what worries me, is that the 12V SLAMS!!!! that starter into the flywheel!! Always starts, ahd has for many years, but the SLAM worries me.

 

[504]

My Dad put GM generators on our JDs in 1960,worked fine.

 

[James Howell]

Thought that our 43B was the only wartime tractor without a pan seat.

 

[MikinInd]

I'm not certain how this tractor came to be this way as I did not get much history on it. Aside from the seat this tractor has a radiator with a water pump and has been converted to a gas only tractor with a gas manifold and carb. They even removed the inlet for the gas starting tank and sealed the hole in the hood.

 

[Rich'sToys]

I'm curious as to how they mounted those seats to those tractors. When I got my '42 A it had one of those seats on it. They had welded two pieces of channel iron to the top of the rockshaft and bolted the seat to that. I might have left it, except that the whole casting around the rockshaft got cracked when they welded it. So as long as I had to replace the whole thing anyway, I put the original style seat back on it.

 

[J.Wondergem]

(quoted from post at 09:48:15 03/08/15) I did a 12V conversion on my red tractor, and it starts much better and has never failed to start. But I'm not sure I'd do it again. The old problem was the starter would sometimes just "Chunk" and stick, and not start, and I'd have to unbolt it, jiggle it, and reinstall. Would always start then. Howevber, what it does, and what worries me, is that the 12V SLAMS!!!! that starter into the flywheel!! Always starts, ahd has for many years, but the SLAM worries me.

I think the new style starter drive will fix that.

 

[MikinInd]

They welded up a homemade seat support to fit the newer battery box and seat that uses the original seat mounting bolts on this one.

 

[James Howell]

Take a look at the photos below of the battery box "mounts".

Hope this helps.

 

[Rich'sToys]

(quoted from post at 22:45:44 03/08/15) Take a look at the photos below of the battery box "mounts".



Hope this helps.

That's the way they had done it on my A. Only problem was, as I mentioned, the whole casting on mine had cracked where they welded it. Otherwise I probably would have left it.