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grandpa Love

grandpa Love

Well-known Member
I have a '39 H and have burnt up 2 tractor supply starter switches in about 30 start ups. Not a fan of them. Hard to get your foot in there to push. My question is can I add a solenoid and key switch like I have on all 4 Ford tractors? Generator doesn't work so will be swapping it to an alternator. My thoughts are wire everything just like the Fords. Thoughts?
 

Yes. My 1940 M has a Ford car/truck solenoid mounted on top of the starter. At one time it had a key switch, but I removed that and now use an original style push/pull, on/off switch with a push button start switch.
 
My 400 has the solenoid located on the starter from the factory. You could do that or use the remote solenoid like ford used. If you get the correct solenoid you can use the by pass starting system that provides 12 volts when starting.
 
(quoted from post at 05:13:43 10/27/20) Go to CaseIH and get a good one, branded my palm with one of those POS switches from TSC.
Click to expand...

The ones at CaseIH are the EXACT SAME as the ones you get from TSC, only they come in the more expensive CNH packaging.
 
Yes, there is absolutely no reason not to.

Dad did that conversion to the Super M 40 years ago. We've been through several solenoids in the ensuing years, but after converting the tractor to 12V the solenoids seem to hold up better.
 
Guess I must of got the last good one since it lasted more than the 2 starts I got from the TSC one.
 
Learned about starter switches several years ago when someone stole the original (with 3/8" studs) off my H. I think they new what they were doing.
I replaced with the currently available switch with 5/16" studs. I checked it out and I believe the newer switches are only rated for 100amps with a 200 amp rating for 2 seconds or something like that.
I too have thought about a solenoid. Have also thought of moving the switch to the bottom panel and installing a foot actuator on steering post.
If you are converting to a 12 volt system, you may be able get by because the 12 volt system will require less stater current. In theory, a 12 volt system will require half the starter current.
 
YES its cheap easy and straightforward to use an electric solenoid to replace an old mechanical push starter switch, just get the right voltage and if I were doing it I would use a higher amperage switch like say a 200 or even 300 amp versus an only 100, although sure a lower will work. If you Google 12 volt starter solenoids (assume you're converting to that???) there are a gazillion choices out there...…..

John T
Solenoids
 
John T most of our Fords came with a bird's nest of wires. I've used the same alternator, solenoid and key switch on all of them. Was hoping it was a simple thing to do on the H. Sounds like it is.
 
(quoted from post at 09:37:11 10/27/20) Learned about starter switches several years ago when someone stole the original (with 3/8" studs) off my H. I think they new what they were doing.
I replaced with the currently available switch with 5/16" studs. I checked it out and I believe the newer switches are only rated for 100amps with a 200 amp rating for 2 seconds or something like that.
I too have thought about a solenoid. Have also thought of moving the switch to the bottom panel and installing a foot actuator on steering post.
If you are converting to a 12 volt system, you may be able get by because the 12 volt system will require less stater current. In theory, a 12 volt system will require half the starter current.
Click to expand...
hat "half starter current may hold true if you switch to 12v starter, but NOT if you stick with 6v starter operated on 12v. I have measured it on my FarmallSMTA! You did say, "in theory'.
 
(quoted from post at 07:07:48 10/27/20)
(quoted from post at 09:37:11 10/27/20) Learned about starter switches several years ago when someone stole the original (with 3/8" studs) off my H. I think they new what they were doing.
I replaced with the currently available switch with 5/16" studs. I checked it out and I believe the newer switches are only rated for 100amps with a 200 amp rating for 2 seconds or something like that.
I too have thought about a solenoid. Have also thought of moving the switch to the bottom panel and installing a foot actuator on steering post.
If you are converting to a 12 volt system, you may be able get by because the 12 volt system will require less stater current. In theory, a 12 volt system will require half the starter current.
Click to expand...
hat "half starter current may hold true if you switch to 12v starter, but NOT if you stick with 6v starter operated on 12v. I have measured it on my FarmallSMTA! You did say, "in theory'.
Click to expand...

CORRECT! Many people who didn't take the elective courses which cover basic electricity and Ohm's Law (i.e. Physics) get this wrong.

It's basically double the voltage, DOUBLE the current when the load (the starter) remains the same. That's why you don't want to crank incessantly on the starter in a 12V conversion situation.
 

Not an H, but my MM 445 was switched over by the previous owner, so I know it's possible. Not sure if they changed the whole starter or just the solenoid.
On this tractor they mounted the solenoid remotely and ran a cable to the starter.


mvphoto64035.jpg
 
Yep those old rats nest of wires especially when any colors have long faded makes tracing difficult. However if you just rewire the basics of a starter solenoid its still pretty simple.

Take care now

John T
 
Yes you can go with a solenoid set up but the problem is where you buy those starter buttons. TSC has from the land of almost right. Go to O'Reilly's and get one and it will last. I have them on my BA and my VAC and one or 2 others from O'Reilly's and there 5-10 years old
 
Everyone is on a kick how everything sold buy every manufacturer is all built the same because it says china well it isn’t
 
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