Am interested in converting a Ferguson model TO30 from 6 volts to 12 volts. Would like to find detailed instructions on how-to and also locate parts supplier. Have found a conversion kit from Yesterdays Tractors for $156 plus shipping....but that is a little steep for my budget. All info appreciated.

Bill Aldserson, WV

-- Billl...Alderson, WV (ewvaughn@mtneer.net), January 28, 2002

Answers

If the conversion kit contains battery, thats a good deal. You will have to replace alternator, voltage regulator, battery. You might do ok to swap an automotive setup system from the junkyard, thats cheap enough- I had a friend do that to an ancient backhoe. You will have to make some brackets, or have a welder do it, to hold the alternator in place. Chrysler 70s car and truck and van setups are easy to wire and seem to be the choice of windmill setups, etc. Make sure to grab all the wiring and the balast resistor, plus the external voltage regulator, cut the main wire running throught the fire wall to the voltimeter and install a round gauge.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), January 28, 2002.

Delco(GM) alternators have built in voltage regulators. I've been told that if you take a wire and run it from the positive lug on the alternator to the "field" connection on the alternator it becomes a one wire conversion by running another wire to the battery from the positive lug on the alt.

Has anyone ever done this? It seems like a cheap way to do the conversion.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), January 28, 2002.

First, don't worry about the expense. A 12 volt system will start the tractor so fast you will never regret one penny. Second, the very best way to keep your antique from looking rigged is to do what Iv'e done, have the original generator rewound for 12 volts. put in a new 12 volt battery, regulator and ignition coil. Total cost, about $200 well spent dollars. No one can tell it is not original. Save some of that beer money to do it the right way. You won't be sorry.

-- chris Vadas, PA (vadas@nfdc.net), January 29, 2002.

Chris has good advice if you want to make it look orginal,if you just want to go to 12 volt then you can get a alternator that has only one wire and it goes to the positive side of the battery and uses no external regulator.Also go to a 12 volt coil and keep in mind your electrical system is now negative ground not positive ground like alot of old tractors were until the mid 60's.Another way to go is get the generator and regulator off a Gleaner combine from the late 50's to the 70's,these had generators but were 12 volt.Some were negative and some were positive ground so check.Also you will find over a few years you will save the cost of the 12 volt conversion by not having to replace the 12 battery nearly as often as a 6 volt.

-- Gary (burnett_gary@msn.com), January 29, 2002.

The earlier Chrysler alternators are ok, in seventies they came up with some goofy setup with alternator hooked into heater blower wiring. GM alternators are lot easier. I even put GM alternator on my old Dodge pickup, just because it was easier than sorting out bunch screwed up wiring courtesy of local rat population.

To John: This is way I do it, but its not a one wire alternator. You need the sensing wire going to the alternator idiot light on GM, so you end up with a two wire alt using this shortcut. You can buy special one wire versions of GM alt from places like JCWhitney but I dont think its worth the extra money. I tend to prefer the 1970's and 1980's GM alt just because its so easy to wire and its plentiful and cheap although I have used older 1960's GM alternators and Ford alternators and even Bosch and Hitachi alternators with the external voltage regulator. Find a wiring diagram and its not that big of a deal to wire it.

Chris: Each to their own. If you want a show tractor, maybe yours is way to go although you would be deducted bunch points for not having original 6 volt system if its competition for original restoration. When I can make a perfectly working 12V charging system for price of junkyard GM alternator, a twelve volt coil/ignition resistor and a twelve volt battery, I'm not that worried about original looks. My old tractors dont look bad with GM alternator although I have seen some really sloppy looking conversions. I own a tractor for function only. Although with all the collectors anymore, one might want to hang onto any removed parts to pass on to next owner if want to resell it sometime.

To anybody who might want a more reliable 6V system, but want to leave it 6V, there are GM alternators sold with special voltage regulator limiting output to 6V.

-- Hermit John (hermit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), January 29, 2002.

First remove battery ground strap from frame and sand, scrape or grind surface for a clean ground contact. And older tractor will have a very bad contact at this point for sure. Many have brought starters, generators, batteries and regulators when all the unit needed was a clean frame ground. Oh yeah, you might clean the battery post at this time.

OK, Still want to change over? Go to salvage yard and purchase a GM internal regulated alternator.

Remove battery wire and Generator wire from voltage regulator and join together.

Find or purchase a small #57 inline bulb holder and bulb. You will need this to activate the alternator or it will not charge.

You will need to get a 3-prong key switch..one wire goes (acc) to inline light bulb to small wire on clip of alternator.

one wire goes from ign. switch to battery / ampmeter and from there to large wire / bolt connection on alternator. A loop wire from there goes to alternator clip.

Third wire from ignition switch goes through the ballast to coil.

The other side of Ampmeter wire goes to battery postive post.

You can keep the 9 volt original starter. All 6 volt lights will be replace as needed with 12 volt.

It works for me, I changed over 15 years ago with Ford tractor and the mind is a little fuzzy but this is basic.

JR

-- JR (jr3star@earthlink.net), January 29, 2002.

You can get a 8 volt battery from a battery shop. Ground the field on the generator so it generates full and you are done.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), January 29, 2002.