Farm Equipment - Starting a 6 volt tractor on 12 volt

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Starting a 6 volt tractor on 12 volt

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=205284
Printed Date: 05 Feb 2025 at 3:45pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Starting a 6 volt tractor on 12 volt

Posted By: Thad in AR.
Subject: Starting a 6 volt tractor on 12 volt
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 5:45am

Guys I need to get my C high crop running and move it. It’s been sitting in my shop for several years.
I need to start it and run it but do not wish to buy a 6 volt battery at this point.
It is magneto fired. Can I start it with a 12 volt battery and not hurt the generator?

Replies:

Posted By: AaronSEIA
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 5:49am

I'd take the wires off the generator. Then you'd be fine.
AaronSEIA

Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 6:09am

You will be fine. I have a 6 volt WD that is my "parade tractor". it still has the 6 volt generator, but I have used a 12 volt battery for many years. The generator is more of a fan belt tightener at this point.

I charge the battery a few times through the year. The generator does still put out some charging.

Posted By: Dennis J OPKs
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 6:47am

I've never needed to but have been told-don't grind the 6V starter too long at a time on a 12V battery. Otherwise, it's fine. Don't turn on any lights if you have them on a 12V battery.

Posted By: DaveKamp
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 8:21am

Change the bulbs to 12v, slap an alternator on it, drop in the 12v battery, connect it as negative ground and live on.

All my B's, WD, and WCs run 12v batteries on the original 6v starter. It has been my experience that the 12v battery will throw the engine over with more authority, but you certainly won't 'hurt' it. The Delco motor is series-wound, as the motor speed increases, it's internal inductive reactance (of the armature) conveniently limits current flow, so it cannot overload or overspeed. What you MIGHT find, is that years of use has made the starter helix and pinion worn... having a sprightly start might reveal that age, so popping the unit out for a cleaning and inspection would be wise.

On my 'big red' JXLD (338ci inline six) driven generating plant, Hercules spec'd the unit with 24v start. When I went to convert it to 12v, the same part number was identified for 12v... and 8v.... and 6v.....

Would I want to start it on a 6v? Not unless I was to use really short, really fat cables... but in looking around, I found many cases where they DID. The starter simply didn't care- it was built to handle the current of a low-voltage start, and it limited it's current based on cranking load and speed. That big beastie doesn't crank hard... it's just big... with a big generating head connected.

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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.

Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 8:24am

starter will work fine on a 12v battery... 6 v generator will put out about 18v max when not connected to a battery.. I use one to charge a 12v system with a voltage regulator instead of the light switch... that being said, just take the "A" wire off the generator and tape it up.. No problem !!

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Like them all, but love the "B"s.