Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

I recently purchased a 52 Ford Customline which is predominantly original. How do I verify if it is still 6 volts? The battery is 6V--the headlights are 12V--and the headlights don't work, but the taillights do.

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

If the battery is 6V odds are it is all 6V and that is the reason the 12V headlights don't work. 6V battery will have three filler holes.

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

Do all your gauges still work?? Does it start and run......OR h.ave you tried turning it over IF it doesn't run??? IF your starter turns.....There is your answer

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

Put a voltmeter on the wires feeding the headlights?

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

To be a 12-volt system, It has to have a 12-volt generator or alternator and a 12-volt battery. Conversion requires replacement of all bulbs from 6-volt to 12-volt. Electric motors for the heater and the horn vibrators may need voltage dropping resistors. The gauges and the ignition coil also need voltage drops such as runtz type constant voltage regulator devices and ballast resistors respectively. The runtz product is what Randy Rundle calls his CVRs at the 5th Avenue Internet Garage web site. A person can purchase these or make them yourself if you know how to solder. Randy also carries the dropping resistors but he's not the only source. It takes a while to do a complete conversion. Working on the dash components are the hard part. Old radios with a standard vibrator will work on negative ground systems but they will need a voltage drop as well. Solid state radios are polarity sensitive.

All of the bulbs of 6-volt origin have a 12-volt counterpart that will fit in the sockets and headlamp buckets. A person just needs to know what part numbers to look for. Find out what kind of generator or alternator it has and that will likely be the best clue as to what the current status is. There are also converted alternators for 6-volt positive ground or ones that are made to look like a generator so look carefully.

The previous owner is the one to ask about this stuff. If he doesn't know then find out who did his work for him and ask them.

FYI: 12-volt lamps and bulbs will be very dim on 6-volt source. 6-Volt bulbs will quickly burn out on a 12-volt power source.

Welcome to the barn.

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

look at one of the tail light bulbs. should have some markings on it

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

1954 was the first year for 12 volt cars. It's fair to understand the ignition systems went 6 volts for years after.

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

C'mon Tink! If you ever get hooked-up on that internet thing that Al Gore invented, it will be easy to see that 1954 is NOT the correct answer for the year that everyone switched to 12v. DD

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Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

1956
Charlie ny

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

You could look at the voltage regulator. If it looks relatively new it might have 12V or even 16V written on it.

Mart.

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

First year for 12V was 1956.

Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?
 

Had a neighbor in 1961-62 that had a '55 Ford sedan, the battery/electrical in the car was 8v.