6 0r 12 volt? h

need to put a batt in an old tract. don't remember if it is a 6 or 12 volt +or - grnd. What is the easiest and fastest way to know what it is?

tell us what make of tractor would sure help

USUALLY a 6v has 3 caps on top of the cells and a 12 will have 6 caps...

farmalls cub b h, do i look on the dist.?or what

If the old battery is in the tractor yet look to see what battery terminal is connected to the ground cable. Most of them were positive ground 6 volt systems. I'm not sure when IH switched them over to neg ground or if they ever did.

Batteries with 3 caps are 6 volt, batteries with 4 caps are 8 volt and those with 6 caps are 12 volts.

Easiest way to remember is every cell/cap is 2.2 volts to be exact. Just multiply each cap by 2 and you come up with the battery voltage.

Look at the end of the cable at the battery clamp. The + cable clamp will be open wider than the -. If you have a 6V battery handy, hook it up(after you determine polarity) and Turn on your lights, if your tractor has them, If it's 6V lights will be bright, if 12V lights will be dim.

If I understand your first post, there is presently no battery in the tractor. Your second post indicates a distributor, not a mag.

Here are some ways to determine 6 or 12 volt, + or - ground:

1. Does it have an alternator? If so it's 12 volts and negative ground.

2.Does it have a Delco generator?

If yes, does the F (field wire) on the generator go up to the light switch? If so it's probably 6 volt.

If the F (field wire) goes to a regulator, is the voltage and polarity stamped on the cover of the regulator?

Is there a tag on the side of the generator? Black tag is 6 volt, red tag is 12 volt.


3. If you have an ohm meter, measure the resistance across the + and - terminals on the coil. Less than 2 ohms it's a 6 volt coil, more than 3 ohms it's a 12 volt coil.


If it's a 6 volt coil is there a resistor (ceramic device about 1/2 in. square and 2 to 3 in. long)in the wire going from coil to switch? If so it has probably been converted to 12 volt.

4. To determine polarity or ground:

With battery connected and engine not running, turn on lights or ignition. Ammeter should swing slightly negative. If ammeter does not move jumper the wire between coil and distributor to ground (switch on). This simulates closed points and may be easier than removing distributor cap.
Negative swing, OK. Positive swing reverse the battery connections.

Wire from distributor to coil should match battery ground. (Positive ground, distributor wire connects to + on coil. Negative ground it connects to - on coil.)

If it has a generator I would polarize it when I get the battery in it's correct connection.

Bob

A,B,C and CUB WERE 6V POS GND

"easiest and fastest way" Hearing those words are often a warning.............
What voltage is on the generator's regulator?
What is on it for a coil and resisitor if any?
Any lights, check the lamps for voltage.
Operators or service manual will have the data and polarity.