YT Tractor part review? 12 volt conversion

[JDEM]

I just bought a 12 volt conversion kit from Yesterdays Tractors. $86 for a new alternator, brackets, resistor/wiring, etc. This for a Ford Jubilee. In the past I have always done my own conversions using Delco or Hitachi alternators. But, the "well is running dry." I am out of old alternators and I am not longer finding the old SI series alternators for $10 at my local junkyard.

So this time - instead of trying to find a Delco somewhere, or a Hitachi from a 80s Subaru - I tried one of these kits from YT Tractor.

Every bit is from China. Alternator is a brand new clone from China and a copy of the Delco 10SI. Even the steel brackets to mount it are from China. I decided to take apart the new alternator to see what it looks like inside. I have to say - the build quality is excellent. I also checked the fit of parts and the OEM Delco parts swap right in. I cannot see inside the solid-state regulator or the rectifiers - but what I see is absolutely excellent. Assembly was great also. All the bolts properly tightened.

So, we'll see. For $86, I think the kit is a bargain. Brand new alternator with charge-specs that exceed the original Delco 10SI. Mounting brackets, wide-groove belt pulley, wire harness and ignition resistor.

So, not a complaint. I am complimenting YT Tractors. Looks like a great parts kit and the price was one of the best I could find.

 

[fastfarmall]

I am glad you'r satisfied, but it seems to me the diodes are bad in every alternators i have bought, in the last 6 years ! They last from 3 to 10,000 miles ! I usually get about 180,000 miles, out of alternators if i buy a new vehicle.

 

[Bob]

With the large rectifier and big cooling holes, your OEM alternator looks more like a 12SI than a 10SI.

The rectifier and cooling holes in the chinalt look like those in a typical OEM 10SI.

 

[john in la]

I agree with Bob.
The one on the left is a 12 SI and the one on the right is a 10 SI.
You can always find a problem with apples if you compare apples to oranges.

 

[JDEM]

In the photos, there is a Delco 10SI, a 12SI, and a 10DN - to be precise. I guess I should of been more specific. Good catch.

My main point with my post is the apparent built quality of the Chinese unit.

I am wondering why the Chinese chose to make a 10SI sort-of clone instead of a 12SI that is a bit more efficient.

That said, the specs on the Chinese 10SI seem to exceed the original Delco 10SI.

I cannot find my spec guide for the SI series. As I recall, I think the 10SI starts to charge at 1600 RPM. This Chinese model claims a start-charge speed of 1200 RPM. Also claims 87 amps at 6000 RPM. Cannot say I have tested it to find out though. My main interest would be the low RPM charge.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 14:37:02 05/18/19) In the photos, there is a Delco 10SI, a 12SI, and a 10DN - to be precise. I guess I should of been more specific. Good catch.

My main point with my post is the apparent built quality of the Chinese unit.

I am wondering why the Chinese chose to make a 10SI sort-of clone instead of a 12SI that is a bit more efficient.

That said, the specs on the Chinese 10SI seem to exceed the original Delco 10SI.

I cannot find my spec guide for the SI series. As I recall, I think the 10SI starts to charge at 1600 RPM. This Chinese model claims a start-charge speed of 1200 RPM. Also claims 87 amps at 6000 RPM. Cannot say I have tested it to find out though. My main interest would be the low RPM charge.
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto23486.jpg">

ever liked those Chinee ammeter hookups that read only alternator and not any loads.. Prefer Net reading myself.

 

[JDEM]

You kind of lost me. What "Chinese ammeter hookup" are you referring to?

 

[JDEM]

On autos - I have had zero issues with Chinese alternators. But do they last as long as OEM? I have no idea. I have never owned a new car or truck in my life and never will. Seems like a suckers game to me unless you have money to burn. I buy most of mine with 200,000 and then use them another 200,000 miles, or more. I only get rid of cars and trucks if they rust out. Otherwise I would likely keep forever.

Back when I was a full time mechanic and we fixed our own components - I certainly had to replace many a diode-trio in Delco 10SI and 12SI alternators. Also quite a few isolation diodes in Motorola alternators on Deere tractors. All USA stuff.

My Chevy Tracker is in reality a 2001 Suzuki. I got with 180,000 miles and the OEM alternator failed right after I got it. It failed due to a bad bearing, not a diode/rectifier. I replaced it with a Chinese alternator and it has 275,000 miles and it fine.

I am sure not all Chinese alternators are the same, just as not all USA built equipment is the same.

 

[john in la]

JMOR
I see several things wrong with that wiring diagram.
Red wire (short) is hooked to wrong side of ammeter.
Using orange wire creates a dead short.
And what is the point of having a one wire alternator if you got to do #10 each time you start the tractor.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 19:16:01 05/18/19) JMOR
I see several things wrong with that wiring diagram.
Red wire (short) is hooked to wrong side of ammeter.
Using orange wire creates a dead short.
And what is the point of having a one wire alternator if you got to do #10 each time you start the tractor.

hose Chinee diagrams cause a lot of trouble over the years. Not all of them are the same, but all seem to have errors in them. That is originally why I did those conversion kit pictograms for Barkley. So he had something right to put in the kits & cut back on all the users trouble phone calls for help.

 

[W_B]

I bought and installed the YT kit for my 8N a year ago. Zero issues with it. OK, not zero, the belt supplied was too short, but my old one works fine. Used JMOR's diagrams to wire it (thanks JMOR for drawing those up!). Worked first time, and every time since.

 

[kcm.MN]

...But the Delco has that nice 'rusty' patina! :wink: *lol*

 

[Will Herring]

Man, I wish they had those brackets around when we did the upgrade to my WD about... 15 years ago. Glad to hear such a positive parts review!

 

[Married2Allis]

Did you the free egg roll with your purchase?

 

[Gene in Mi]

(quoted from post at 18:07:45 05/18/19) I just bought a 12 volt conversion kit from Yesterdays Tractors. $86 for a new alternator, brackets, resistor/wiring, etc. This for a Ford Jubilee. In the past I have always done my own conversions using Delco or Hitachi alternators. But, the "well is running dry." I am out of old alternators and I am not longer finding the old SI series alternators for $10 at my local junkyard.

So this time - instead of trying to find a Delco somewhere, or a Hitachi from a 80s Subaru - I tried one of these kits from YT Tractor.

Every bit is from China. Alternator is a brand new clone from China and a copy of the Delco 10SI. Even the steel brackets to mount it are from China. I decided to take apart the new alternator to see what it looks like inside. I have to say - the build quality is excellent. I also checked the fit of parts and the OEM Delco parts swap right in. I cannot see inside the solid-state regulator or the rectifiers - but what I see is absolutely excellent. Assembly was great also. All the bolts properly tightened.

So, we'll see. For $86, I think the kit is a bargain. Brand new alternator with charge-specs that exceed the original Delco 10SI. Mounting brackets, wide-groove belt pulley, wire harness and ignition resistor.

So, not a complaint. I am complimenting YT Tractors. Looks like a great parts kit and the price was one of the best I could find.
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What is the purpose of the new pulley? I am guessing it goes on the new alternator is so the new alternator works with the old wide belt.

 

[HFJ]

(quoted from post at 15:33:56 05/20/19)

What is the purpose of the new pulley? I am guessing it goes on the new alternator is so the new alternator works with the old wide belt.

u are guessing correctly. 5/8" belt versus 1/2".