Using 12V battery instead of 6 volt

[msjanket]

I was lucky enough to find an electric starter for my Cat D2 pony motor and am installing it now. The OEM for the starter battery was 6 volts way back when.
The unit has the Delco Remy starter on it and I'm wondering if I can get by OK using a 12V battery to power the starter in lieu of the 6 volt.

I've seen the use of 12V batteries preferable to 6 volt applications and things turned better, especially in cold weather.

What's the general feeling on these 2 situations and am I OK using the 12V rather than the 6?

 

[George2615]

I would think using 12V would be fine. I run my 49 Chevy starter on 12V (orig. 6V). Spins it over twice as fast for easy starts.
I did replace the 6V generator with a 12V alternator and replaced all the lights. I kept the original 6V heater motor and use a voltage reducer. I changed the ignition coil from 6 to 12V as well. There are a lot of 6V old classic cars and trucks now running on 12V. You will probably have to do the same.
6V wiring is heavier gauge than 12V so no problem there.

 

[Shaneard]

We have 2 Farmall Cubs I recently converted to 12V from 6V. Didn't do anything to the starter. One has a magneto so nothing done there. The other has a distributor so I put a resistor in the line feeding it and still have the 6V coil on it. I put a single wire 12V alternator on each of them. Wish I would have done it years ago. Cranks so much quicker and easier on both of them.

 

[boomer1025]

Instead of using a 12 volt battery use a 8 volt battery. Then you don't have to change anything else electrical.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Instead of using a 12 volt battery use a 8 volt battery.

Yes, and as an added bonus, if you need a replacement, you can find them in any auto parts store and even WalMart! And of course, your battery charger will work just fine on it!

:sarcastic:

 

[KYErik]

My old 1943 case tractor has a 6 volt starter, but we have been using 12 volt batteries on it since the 1980's. That 6 volt starter will be fine with 12 volts.

 

[Stimw]

Back in the 70's I had a VW offroad Dune Buggy and it was standard to use a 6 V starter on a 12 V system.
It helped the engine start easier when running hard in the woods.
As long as the rest of the system is up graded.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I was lucky enough to find an electric starter for my Cat D2 pony motor and am installing it now. The OEM for the starter battery was 6 volts way back when.
The unit has the Delco Remy starter on it and I'm wondering if I can get by OK using a 12V battery to power the starter in lieu of the 6 volt.

I've seen the use of 12V batteries preferable to 6 volt applications and things turned better, especially in cold weather.

What's the general feeling on these 2 situations and am I OK using the 12V rather than the 6?

If the pony motor has a distributor and a generator you'll need a 12V regulator for the generator and you need to put a ~ 1.6 ohm resistor in the primary ignition circuit