12 volt convert kit?

[Willman]

Has anyone used the 12 volt conversion kits from Genesee Products?
I am thinking of converting my Allis CA to 12 volt.
The Genesee kit contains a new Alternator, coil, volt meter and wiring harness plus the alternator mounting brackets.
All for approx. $230.

 

[Soundguy]

No knocking genessee, as I've only heard good things about them.. however.. you could do it yourself for less. Pretty easy to find barrrels of GM10si 3 wire alternators at junkyards.. for 25$ a pop.. that and some kustom bracketry, or even a bit of work on a universal bracket from an auto-motive chain store. Get a true 12v coil, like a napa IC14sb for 15$. If you have an ammeter, you can leave it.. it will work fine.. or if you want a volt meter.. get it.. about 9.99$ for a sunpro model.

Your oem wire harnes, if in good condition, will still work with a cut ans splice or two.

10s1 3 wire has a charge stud, #1 and #2 terminal. Jumper #2 to charge stud. Hook charge stud tot he wire that used to go to your gennies -vr -'bat' connection.. or the bat side of a cutout, if your model had a cutout only.

Hook a wire from the switched side of the ignition, thre a trailer marker lamp with a 194 bulb in it, to the #1 terminal.. that way when yuo turn on your ignition and start the tractor, you will excite the #1 terminal.. etc.

Probably do it yourself for 60$ if you got the alternator, a new coil, and a top bracket, and cobbled up a bottom bracket, and the trailer marker lamp... etc.

your call..

Soundguy

 

[Willman]

Thanks for the info Soundguy.
I do have the ability to piece & wire everything from scratch.
I've been wiring & fabricating for years.
I guess its the factor of saving money or saving time /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I have seen the bulb system used before or a diode of proper value could be used.
Years ago I changed out the original cutout with a 6 v voltage regulator.
Now its time for a new battery & the regulator is not functioning, so if im going to buy a new battery & reg. I might as well do the 12 v conversion.

 

[Soundguy]

That's usually what lots of people do.. when it comes time to repair the charge system.. the cost of a battery, genny, and regulator, if they are truly bad, is more money than simply getting an alternator and battery.

So.. did you try to repolarize the charge system.. many times there are simple ways to check gennies, and regs. Gennies can be motor tested, and regs can be tested with a battery and battery charger and vom.. etc.

Yep.. the bulb, or a diode works fine. i actually prefer the diode.. but most people don't like working with discreet electronic components. Heck.. a 2-5 ohm power resistor would work as well.. etc.. the electrons don't care..

Soundguy

 

[KJO]

Good luck on the 12 volt conversion. I have a AC C which has been converted over years ago using a 12 volt generator rather than the alternator. It spins over pretty good compared to what it use to do. Magneto was replaced also with a distributor (I think it came from a CA) ...Delco Remy anyways. My generator looses the polarity every so often so I have to bump it with a jumper at the regulator...otherwise..it works very well.

 

[Willman]

Well between last night & tonight I got the old girl running.
Had to put the charger on for a few hours & then use the 100 amp booster and she barely turned over but she did start.
Getting about 7.5 volts from the genny, no charge indicaton at the amp gauge.
Put a jumper from armature lug to Battery lug on regulator and the amp gauge jumped to life giving me 7 - 7.25 volts at the battery.
Bad regulator.
I found a old regulator in the barn that I changed out a few years ago because I thought it was erratic.
I put that regulator in and it seems to be charging fine.
At about 1/3 throttle I am getting 8-8.25 volts at the generator and 7.5 -8 volts at the battery showing about 10 amps on the gauge.
With the lights on about 7-7.5 volts, with the reg. jumping to about 20 amps for a moment and returning to aprox. 10 amps again.
Lights off the reg. will fluctuate between 0 amps to 10 amps.
I dont think I will be able to bring the battery back to give any kind of cranking power so that will have to be replaced any way if I stay with the 6 volt system.
If this regulator seems to stay working OK I will just get a new 6 volt battery and stay original for a while longer.
The old battery is 4 years old and thats about the life I get out of one anyway.
I was sort of torn between converting and staying original as I am somewhat of a purest and like equipment kept the way it was built if possible.
The only down side to 6 volt systems is when you may need to get a jump start in the field. In the past I had to haul the portable generator and battery charger/booster out to the field to start the tractor.
Well for now at least I will put my shopping list of required 12 volt conversion parts away with the tractor manuals for future use.

 

[Soundguy]

Glad you got it running. As for jumps.. It's very easy to jump a 6v tractor with a 12v battery or booster pack. Turn on ignition, and hope there is enough battery power for sparks. Hook up jumper cabled to donor battery/pack, then hook them up to the starter directly.. make sure tranny is in neutral about 6 times as the starter will spin over as the last cable is connected... This is a common thing. Don't hit the start button .. this will keep the 6v and 12v battery isolated and everything happy..

Soundguy

 

[Willman]

Thats somthing I didnt think about when it comes to jump starts.
As long as the 6 volt battery is isolated (starter contact open) it should be ok.
I think I would hook the stater up first and then touch to the donor battery for the start, would keep you away from the tractor somewhat.
(Remembering the positive ground on the tractor)

This cannot be done on a Allis CA because of the starter switch mounted on top of the starter.

I also agree to check the shifter a few times just to be sure you dont get run over, could ruin your whole day.
I would also think that in most cases a "dead" battery has enough juice to fire the coil, just not enough amps to crank.

 

[Soundguy]

The positive ground issue isn't a big deal... most of these old starters spin the same direction reguardless of the polarity hooked up.

I've jumpe dmy allis G off.. it has the same rocker ont he starter.. it's a bit tricky, but involves clamping the jumper cable to a screwdriver to make the starter connection..

Soundguy