6v to 12v

General help and support for your Lindeman through 2010 John Deere crawler
Post Reply
ratskinner
40C crawler
40C crawler
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:03 pm

6v to 12v

Post by ratskinner » Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:41 pm

have a JD 40c and the 6v generator is bad .I looked at replacing it with a 12v alt but it looks like putting a alt in will require a lot of modification for a new bracket .Does anyone have photos of a new bracket e.Or does someone sell a 12 alt that will fit?Or
Can i rebuild the old gen myself ?For i have seen rebuild kit for sale on the net .
I know someone was switch one over and i like to see how they did it.
I have a 12v 1 wire GM alternator

User avatar
jtrichard
350 crawler
350 crawler
Posts: 1883
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:48 pm
Location: Joshua Tree CA

Post by jtrichard » Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:59 pm

GET RID OF THE GENERATOR they quit using them in the 60s for a reason ....i just did a conversion on a 8n ford the whole kit including a new alt. was only $20 more than having the gen rebuilt i have 3 2010s all have alt.
2010 with 622 dozer with mod. 35 ripper and a 2010 with 622 dozer bought in 1969 and a 2010 loader with drott and mod. 36 ripper

User avatar
scampr
440 crawler
440 crawler
Posts: 210
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:36 pm
Location: south/central NH

Post by scampr » Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:37 pm

i am a fan of keeping things somewhat original but alternators are better , but a generator system working properly is good too. Before i made the choice i would take yours apart.. they really are simple and most likely just needs brushes and maybe some end bearings. If the amature needs help then i would think deeper into it. The thing most people dont understand about gens are they need to be polarized and that usually is all thats needed.The regulators are more the issues or wiring.. the regulators can sometimes be saved to by simply cleaning the contacts in it too. If you do swap to a 12 V the most common is a delco 12 v internal regulator alternator. good luck and thats just my opinion and take that for what its worth.
scampr 440icd, 350B, 47 Farmall H, 55 Farmall cub and ashamed to have a Kabota too

User avatar
Lavoy
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10937
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:32 pm
Location: North Dakota
Contact:

Post by Lavoy » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:10 pm

These crawlers on 12 volts have a higher probability of breaking the nose cone off of the starter and/or screwing up the ring gear, so if you do it and don't convert the starter at the same time, be careful.
If I do one, I use a small automotive battery, less than 500CCA if you can find one and cheap cables no bigger than 4 gauge, this will cut down a little on the wind up before it slams the drive into the ring gear.
I have been on a 440 with a 1000CCA battery and big cables, it hit so hard when you pulled the starter rod I almost wanted to tie a rope to it so I could stand back 10 feet when starting it.
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com

Howard Yoder
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 353
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:53 pm
Location: Columbus Ohio

Post by Howard Yoder » Tue Dec 25, 2012 7:15 am

With what Lavoy just said I have one that I converted to an alt. and will not do any more unless I don't care about the machine. I have changed the bendix on it countless times and of course I'm sure by now the ring gear is a lot of the problem. I have seen other people change them and not have the issues I have had. But personally I have 3 that will start in the winter time on 6 volts. Just my 2 cents worth

boler76
430 crawler
430 crawler
Posts: 83
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 5:57 am

40c 6v-12v

Post by boler76 » Tue Dec 25, 2012 7:21 am

I have a 53 40c, my experience with it at 6v is all positive and my experience with using 12v without changing the starter to 12v is all negative, My opinion is fix the 6 v generator, as previous poster stated, not likely too much involved to fix it my 2 cents

User avatar
mapaduke@yahoo.com
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 420
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2009 6:27 pm
Location: Rochester N.H.

Post by mapaduke@yahoo.com » Tue Dec 25, 2012 8:19 am

If you convert to 12v remember to install a resister so you don't burn up the points.
nothing crawles like a deere

User avatar
Lavoy
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10937
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:32 pm
Location: North Dakota
Contact:

Post by Lavoy » Tue Dec 25, 2012 10:25 am

I think that in general the lion's share of 12 volt conversions are to "fix" an already existing problem. Like Howard, I have very little trouble starting a properly repaired and maintained 6 volt crawler. What I do like about a 12 volt conversion is the ability to run good halogen headlights and taillight. It seems like most of the time I move snow, it is unfortunately dark, and better lights are a bonus for me.
Sooner or later, I am going to send out a starter and have it converted to 12 volts, I am really anxious to try that. I think that is the ultimate way to go if one wants a 12 volt conversion and has no real interest in originality. You are starting to see the little alternators now in one wire configuration, and I think they are going to be easier to mount up than the 10SI Delco, and won't stick out so far to the side.
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com

User avatar
mapaduke@yahoo.com
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 420
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2009 6:27 pm
Location: Rochester N.H.

Post by mapaduke@yahoo.com » Tue Dec 25, 2012 3:56 pm

Has anyone tried using a 12v generator to keep the original look?
nothing crawles like a deere

whiteclipse16
2010 crawler
2010 crawler
Posts: 622
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:02 am
Location: Steubenville, OH

Post by whiteclipse16 » Tue Dec 25, 2012 9:59 pm

Like one of the previous posted said, most of the times I've ran into generator problems it's actually been the regulator.
The main problems with the generator is a broken wire with the field, grounded field, bad rubber insulator at the connection post.

My dad is actually converting his old Farmall C to a 6V alternator. It was cheaper than getting new bearings and armature in the generator and a new regulator.
I'll let you guys know how it works out when he gets everything back.
Ben

Great Grandpa's 1960 440ICD 602 blade
Between SN's: 455,633 - 456,801
Currently Rebuilding/Restoring

User avatar
DukeofDeere
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 443
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:12 am
Location: Hudsonville Michigan

Post by DukeofDeere » Wed Dec 26, 2012 6:47 am

I can tell you now the 6v when properly rebuilt works great for years!
My 420 has a rebuilt starter and generator 22 years old and still starts like a dream!!
I'm on my 4th battery.
2800 hrs. since I have owned it.
Lights are fair to ok. Settings are dim and dimmer:) Good thing snow is white.
Most important is keeping that regulator dry!

Duke

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 48 guests