Hi, well this is the only tractor forum I'm a memeber of bought 3410 last year. I also was passed down a john deere A from father in law. If you can help I appreiciette it, if not I get it. Hooked up battery to start 1948 deere and the cables at post started smoking when engaging the starter. Battery hooked up correct as far as I know. neg cable little corroded, I cleaned the ground connect and still smoked. I'm almost positive my father in law told me it was converted over to a 12 volt system but not 100% confident in that. So I don't know if its a positve ground system or negative ground system of not. By the way tractor did start with neg ground hook up. What do you think I have going. Just a weekend warrior here, not a genius when comes to electrical or engines, but did get it running. Thx if can help.
1948 jd a
- Thread starter Haylough
- Start date
North Idaho Wolfman
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Sounds like it's a 6 Volt starter and you over powering it.
Post a picture of the alternator/generator and the starter.
Post a picture of the alternator/generator and the starter.
I converted my 8N to 12 volt, but the starter is still the original 6 volt unit. It just spins a bit faster than it did when pushing 6 volts through it.
It was also originally positive ground, and I changed that with the 12 conversion. The starter still spins the correct direction.
Some guys told me that if I over crank the starter it can be bad for it, but I have never had the need to crank it much. It always starts before the engine has cranked more than one revolution.
So smoke means it is getting hot, and that is because there is excessive resistance in the circuit.
Things I'd look for are corroded cables (peel the insulation back some, if there is green more than a 1/4 inch or so in get new cables), poor connections, worn brushes, or a shorted winding in the starter.
It was also originally positive ground, and I changed that with the 12 conversion. The starter still spins the correct direction.
Some guys told me that if I over crank the starter it can be bad for it, but I have never had the need to crank it much. It always starts before the engine has cranked more than one revolution.
So smoke means it is getting hot, and that is because there is excessive resistance in the circuit.
Things I'd look for are corroded cables (peel the insulation back some, if there is green more than a 1/4 inch or so in get new cables), poor connections, worn brushes, or a shorted winding in the starter.
Clean your cable ends and posts.
I converted my 52 cockshutt 40 to 12 volts and from pos ground to neg. the winding and design of starter determines rotation. The windings in a 6 volt starter are heavier than 12 volt starters due to the amperage demand. Lower volts equals higher amps.
When i converted mine i spoke with a well respected rebuilder and he said there was nothing to worry about.
I converted my 52 cockshutt 40 to 12 volts and from pos ground to neg. the winding and design of starter determines rotation. The windings in a 6 volt starter are heavier than 12 volt starters due to the amperage demand. Lower volts equals higher amps.
When i converted mine i spoke with a well respected rebuilder and he said there was nothing to worry about.
Yes, the ground cable was green for quite a ways, I'm going to replace both cables to start. I'm away from tractor for couple of weeks so cant post pics of alt and starter. Thx
We converted a Farmall H to 12 volt in the 80's. Same starter and it's still going strong. From your post, it sounds like it's the cables to me. Small world. I live in St Michael.