ballast resister

jakemersing · Mar 28, 2011

ok i have a 1951 MH 30 with a negative ground 6 volt system to use a 12 volt battery i was told to unhook the generator then put the positive wire on the negative batt terminal and the negative wire on the pos terminal then reverse the wires on the coil but i want to install a ballast resistor where do you install it

Lou from Wi. · Mar 28, 2011

Jake, Every one I ever done,The ballast resistor was before the Distributor.Not saying its true for your application,it was on our 706,and OC46.Hope this Helps,
Regards,Victor

FORD 1710 · Mar 28, 2011

What you describe is a conversion between positive and neg ground not 6 to 12V.

To go from 6 to 12, you will need another generator, regulator, ignition coil. ( light bulbs and electric gauges if used ) if Supposedly a 6 starter will work on 12 but expect shorter life. A ballast resistor is there to limit current at low engine speeds so the points don't burn out.

BCnT · Mar 28, 2011

no matter what polarity the ballast resistor goes between the ignition switch and the coil...as far as shorter starter life,thats BS...i changed my '62 Ford 2000 over to 12 volts about 30 years ago...still using the ORIGINAL 6 volt starter that came on tractor new.

VicS · Mar 28, 2011

You will need to change the wires on the amp gauge,
or it will read backwards. The lights also. I
changed my WD45 22 years ago and the coil or points
have neither one have been changed. The secret is to
turn the key on and then start it. Not mess around
with the key on. It doesn't have a ballast resistor.

old · Mar 28, 2011

If all your doing is hooking it up to a 12 volt battery and not adding an alternator there is not reason to switch the ground. Yes your better off unhooking the generator and yes you need a ballast resister between the switch and the coil. I use O'Reilly's auto part #VR-1. Things like light would need changed but that is it. But if you want a 12 volt charging system and going with an alternator yes you need to switch the ground and the wires on the coil. But from what your saying is you plan to run it off the battery and charge it as needed Right????

Jon Hagen · Mar 28, 2011

If the tractor is already negative ground, you dont want to change that, negative ground has been the standard for 40+ years and if you intend to install an alternator, most are negative ground only.
If the tractor is already negative ground, their is no need to change wiring at the ignition coil or at the ammeter.
Install the ignition ballast resistor inline between the ignition switch and ignition coil.
For negative ground, connect the - coil primary terminal to the distributor.

Let us know if you intend to install a 12V charging system, we can give you directions on how to wire it or there are good diagrams on this site. Check the link.
12V conversion diagram.

Lou from Wi. · Mar 29, 2011

Sorry my mistake,it is from ignition switch to ballast res to coil to dist.Brain malfunction,
Victor

jakemersing · Mar 29, 2011

thanks for all the repliesi probable wont change the grond so i just split the wire going from the ign to the coil and connect the wire to the two terminals on the ballast resistor

Jon Hagen · Mar 29, 2011

yes, that is all that is needed to add the ballast resistor. Consider that the resistor runs very hot when deciding on a mounting spot.

If you intend to run the tractor on 12V with the 6V generator still in place, remove the wire / wires from the "F" post on the generator, or generator dasmage will result.

ballast resister

jakemersing

Member

Lou from Wi.

Well-known Member

FORD 1710

Member

BCnT

Well-known Member

VicS

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Jon Hagen

Well-known Member

Lou from Wi.

Well-known Member

jakemersing

Member

Jon Hagen

Well-known Member

Similar threads