Farmall B battery cable question

JonBB · Aug 5, 2015

Hello,
First time on this forum. I just got a 1945 B Farmall. It is a 6 volt system. It turns over very slow and takes a long time to start. I noticed the battery cables and starter and switch get very warm/hot so I have to stop and let it cool down. In reading some other notes on the internet, I think I have determined that the battery cables are not heavy enough. It appears that I need to go with at least 00 cables. Anybody else gone through this or know if I am on the right path? When it starts it runs great! From what I have read, once you do this, the engine will turn over easily. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/comments.
JonBB

boggen · Aug 6, 2015

check spark plugs
check disturber cap (or what ever it is called mangento?) the points can get worn down and you get less spark
carb work might help.

stay away from any sort of "fuel boosters, or carb cleaners, etc.." the old engines were made to run gas from the old days, i have noticed some issues with the old 1954 allis chalmers CA tractor, if i add stabil or other gas preservative to the gas, it causes issues in also starting up. i don't remember the full explanation, but fuel boosters and preservative stuff causes fuel to require a little more compression / spark to get a combustion going. that extra compression / spark = more power. but harder starting... i took me 3 to 4 tank fulls of gas before i realized what was happening. once i put fresh gas in with nothing in it. bam bam ready to go!

TractorData.com Farmall B tractor information
it looks like engine might run on kerosine wow! might want to check of better folks in the know. to see if there is a needed adjustment to tractor.

on the old allis chalmers, i need to keep an eye on the "generator" aka not an alternator it is a generator. and make sure it stays greased "meh" forget type of grease to use right off. to make sure bearings stay in good condition.

back check between battery, to what ever cable that connects to tractor chasis, and then point between that and starter. rusted / bad connections could cause some issues. same with corroded battery ends.

also double check there are no nicks in the battery cables. i had a couple issues were wire was almost completely cut through the rubber coating on cable! one was from vibration and just simple rubbing, and another was wire some how managed to get up on a sharper edge.

Farmall45b · Aug 6, 2015

I had a 1945 Farmall B that I restored before my first Kubota. A 6 volt system requires much heavier cables than a 12 volt system as there is twice as many amps flowing through them. You either have a cable or battery problem. You could do a voltage drop test to determine if it is the cables, which I am happy to explain if you want, but an easier way might be to just add a jumper cable in parallel to the existing cables and seeing if it cranks over better. Keep in mind that if the battery is weak it will decrease cranking speed causing the starter motor brushes to remain in contact with the armature longer and current draw to increase dramatically.

DJ54 · Aug 6, 2015

If they are automotive type/size, like 4 gauge, yes, they are way too small. I prefer 1/0 cable. The last set I had made, NAPA was out of 1/0, but had 2/0, so had them make a set out of that. Pricey, but man it really turns it over..!!

Depending on how big of a hurry you are in, I found a place online in Florida, that makes up Marine type cables, in various gauges, 1/0 included, for a lot less than can be made locally. Bad thing is, I didn't save the link. They are pre-made in various lengths, and looked to have very nice HD ends, and shrink wrap.

JonBB · Aug 8, 2015

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate you taking time to make some suggestions. I have checked out the battery cable a little more and I'm pretty sure that is going to be the problem. If not, I'll try some of the other ideas you had. Thanks again!

JonBB · Aug 8, 2015

They look like automotive cables. I don't know how long they have been on there but the first thing I will try is putting on 2/0 cables and see if that fixes it. I'm pretty sure that is the problem. Thanks for the reply and advice!

JonBB · Aug 8, 2015

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to replace the cables with 2/0 cables and see if that will do the trick. The cables that are on there now look like automotive cables. They are pretty light weight. I appreciate your reply!

RickB · Aug 8, 2015

Clean the battery posts and opposite connection points well. Clean the contact parts of the new cables prior to installation.

DJ54 · Aug 8, 2015

1/0 will be plenty heavy enough, and a bit cheaper. 2/0 are pretty stiff to bend..!! To save you some sticker shock, those 2, 2/0 cables from the local NAPA were $80 and change... But, VERY nice..!! As I reckon' they should be, LOL...