6 Volt Generator "TO" 6 Volt Alternator Conversion, Farmall M

Gary Farmall · Sep 4, 2012

I am a happy camper, converted my 1951 farmall m from 6 Volt Generator "TO" 6 Volt Alternator positive ground. one wire output, internal V/R.. Bought the alternator off Ebay. Link is Tractor 6 volt 60 amp 1 wire alternator Positive Ground Model A T GM w/ pulley | eBay

Also bought the amp meter off Ebay. link is 354473RH Amp Gauge Meter Ammeter with IH Logo for Farmall H M | eBay

I replaced the old wires with new, and it works great. I wanted to keep the tractor as original as possible I am extremely happy. If you update your wiring with 1 gauge to the starter and 10 gauge to the Alternator etc. it starts just fine and as with 12 volt system you don't have to worry about burning up your start motor. LOL IF ANYONE wants a schematic that I re-designed of one I acquired off the internet, and my pictures. Just let me know, as I went to a lot of effort making this happen. Also Steinertractor.com had the mounting bracket for the Alternator and I went to O'Reilly's to get a belt 1/2" longer and it worked perfect, as everyone says its alittle close to the shroud but that's next on my list for an adjustment. Gary

Soundguy · Sep 4, 2012

you can also have a generator converted to an alternator. many antique magazines have adds for people that rebuild them.. the new unit uses your or a core shell and new 'innards'.. thus it looks and fits exactlyu as oem using oe brackets and belts..

Gary Farmall · Sep 4, 2012

That's a great option, does that include the internal V/R ? if not that is the main reason I opted for the Alternator plus the 60 amp output is nice. I think I'll install an AHOOGA Horn on it also. LOL Gary

Soundguy · Sep 4, 2012

i don't hav e one of the adds handy so can't say if it is internal vreg or not.. will guess yes. even if it isn't.. no biggie.. it will be even MORE authentic..

woosh53 · Dec 8, 2014

would be very interested in the schematics and photos. I appreciate the offer. I am more interested in the wiring diagram, as I have a 6 volt Delco-Remy all ready to install. Thank you, Gary Farmall

Gary Farmall · Dec 9, 2014

It has been 3 years since I seen this Thread. Delco-Remy Alternator ?? or Generator??

Soundguy · Dec 9, 2014

Wow, zombie thread!

woosh53 · Dec 9, 2014

Alternator

Gary Farmall · Dec 9, 2014

I hope you can see where to cut & splice. Steiner Tractor Supply has the Alternator brackets, I tried to upload photos but was unsuccessful. Hope this helps. Gary

woosh53 · Dec 9, 2014

thanks much. Magnified image is perfect.

Gary Farmall · Dec 12, 2014

You are very welcome woosh53 hope it worked out fine for you as it did for me. Just ignore SoundGuy, should be SoundZombieGuy, master of the illiterate thread.

Soundguy · Dec 12, 2014

Why the personal attack? Dud it make you feel better to do so?

super55 · Dec 12, 2014

I don't mean to sound ignorant but whats the benefit of an alternator over running the old generator. The only thing I found after doing a little research is that you no longer would need a voltage regulator is that correct?

Soundguy · Dec 12, 2014

Alts need vregs too, but most of them are internal.

Benefits? Many alts can be excited as low as 400 rpm, .. Gennies are inefficient at low rpm.

Cheap 30$ 10si alt can be had in 30-50 ish amp and higher models. A ford Gen is about a 20 amp realistic max..

On the flip side gennies are more tolerant of things like accidental polarity reversals, alts cook in a second!

super55 · Dec 12, 2014

thanks for helping clear this up. When I went and re-wired my dad's 42 willys about 8 months back forgot to re-polarize the field on the V-reg and I think I may have done a costly mistake and fried it.

A 6 volt alternator might be a consideration but if I go that route I'm thinking I might as well go with a full 12v conversion kit with a new coil. I know all the lights are 12v so I shouldn't be burning any bulbs. The kit is cheaper as well than just a 6v alternator alone. I just finished watching some vids on it and a 12v conversion appears to be pretty painless.

I found a PDF on how to test voltage regulators on Jubilee/NAA on another site that I will use to test it. If it doesn't work than alternator conversion is on its way.

Soundguy · Dec 12, 2014

Be aware the generators come in 2 circuit types, A circuit and B circuit. The 2 are not interchangeable, and test differently.

Lol at the bad of the vreg. If it has a single bias resistor between the field tab and ground, it is A circuit. If it has a bias resistor between armature and field, it is B circuit. B circuit vregs may have a second bias resistor present. Naa are b circuit.

In general, polarity reversals on genny systems tend to weld field contacts, so you see high charge rates, thought could have damaged the cutout.

Standard testing involves jumpering out the cutout, is, arm to bat, if nothing, then full field while jumpers cut out.

B circuit full field jumping bat to field.

A circuit full field jumping field to ground.
See what you have before testing. A circuit was very popular before the 50's

Post back if you need help.

super55 · Dec 12, 2014

Thanks for the advice sound. It's going to be some time before I can get back to the jeep to work on it so Im going to do some more research on the unit. Before I tackle this task I will msg you up if I come across any issues.