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-   -   My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291994)

Cadillac Bill 12-23-2020 09:40 PM

My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

My friend BB has a 53 Mercury and thinking about upgrading to a 12v system.

Pros and Cons?

Your opinion?

Jack E/NJ 12-23-2020 09:48 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Tell your friend to google the keywords pros and cons to upgrade from 6 volt to 12volt system

8^) Jack E/NJ

Joe Immler 12-23-2020 09:51 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

I have had my restored 1941 Coupe for 30 years. It is 6 volt. I have had no reason to convert to 12 volt. I changed my tail lights to LED as they were very dim. Fabulous now.
I put my battery on a trickle charger when I put the car away for winter. I bought the battery new in 2013 and it is still just fine. If one cares for and maintains a 6 volt system
all seems well. The only reason I can see going to 12 volt would be to upgrade to a good radio or something.

whizzernick 12-23-2020 10:07 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

very easy to change to 12 v (I use original generator with cut out--My car is a 1933 ) generator charges 12v battery just fine I drove my 1933 roadster to grand national meet in 1983 (and many other meets ) YOUR 41 you might have to get a 12 volt gen and regulator . ( I think a late ford gen and regulator will work ( other barners would know )
I use original coil ( I just add a resistor to original resistor) I use 65 mustang resistor (must keep it FORD )
change all light bulbs
easy to change back --- + or - ground --- I keep battery tenders on most of the time.
The good (brighter lights ) easy to get a new battery---- easy to change back if you want--- easy on older wireing ( 12 volts is 1/2 the amps ) cell phone charger --- modern radio ( you can hid it )

skidmarks 12-23-2020 10:47 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

The only con, and ive had it happen a couple times. If you keep the 6v starter, putting 12v to it can break the bendix spring.
A big plus is 12v batteries are easy to get and tend to last longer and easier to jump start.

johndee138 12-24-2020 12:16 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Not to mention the aftermarket backup cameras, cigar lighter driven accessories, like a fan for the driver, phone charger, etc, etc.
I LOVE the cigar lighter driven rear view camera for my car, it is priceless and only cost $40 on amazon.
I also rigged up a 12v boat bilge pump fan to an intercooler submerged in an ice chest for the hot summer days. Poor mans air conditioning!
I did swap my starter for a 12v one, the 6v hit so hard on 12v that I was afraid it would break in the most inopportune time, like when the wife and I were off somewhere inconvenient

McMimmcs 12-24-2020 12:56 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ (Post 1966086)
Tell your friend to google the keywords pros and cons to upgrade from 6 volt to 12volt system

8^) Jack E/NJ

I agree and it will keep him busy a while !

51 MERC-CT 12-24-2020 01:51 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidmarks (Post 1966102)
The only con, and ive had it happen a couple times. If you keep the 6v starter, putting 12v to it can break the bendix spring.
A big plus is 12v batteries are easy to get and tend to last longer and easier to jump start.

And what accounts for all the bendix springs that have broken while the starter was being powered with 6 volts?

36fordguy 12-24-2020 02:08 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

easier to change to LED bulbs Better lighting and less power 36fordguy

skidmarks 12-24-2020 03:03 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT (Post 1966304)
And what accounts for all the bendix springs that have broken while the starter was being powered with 6 volts?

Age

Jack E/NJ 12-24-2020 04:38 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

51 MERC-CT>>>what accounts for all the bendix springs that have broken while the starter was being powered with 6 volts?>>>


skidmarks>>>Age>>>


My starter spent the first 21 years of its life cranking its 21-studder on 6v. Then another 3 years on 12v. Then it rested 48 years; it was incompatible with a SBC. For the last 10 years it's been cranking its 21-studder again on 12v. So if my calculations are correct, proof-positive that its bendix has lasted 8 years longer on 6v than 12v so far. 8^) Jack E/NJ

Strick 12-24-2020 04:39 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

sent you a PM about your friend's 53 Mercury

JM 35 Sedan 12-24-2020 11:50 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT (Post 1966304)
And what accounts for all the bendix springs that have broken while the starter was being powered with 6 volts?

Murphy's general laws

• Nothing is as easy as it looks.
• Everything takes longer than you think.
• Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
• If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong. Corollary: If there is a worse time for something to go wrong, it will happen then.
• If anything simply cannot go wrong, it will anyway.
• If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which a procedure can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop.
• Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.
• If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
• Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.
• Mother nature is a bitch.
• It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
• Whenever you set out to do something, something else must be done first.
• The Light at the end of the tunnel is only the light of an oncoming train.

Zeke3 12-26-2020 11:37 AM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan (Post 1966514)
Murphy's general laws

• Nothing is as easy as it looks.
• Everything takes longer than you think.
• Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
• If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong. Corollary: If there is a worse time for something to go wrong, it will happen then.
• If anything simply cannot go wrong, it will anyway.
• If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which a procedure can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop.
• Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.
• If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
• Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.
• Mother nature is a bitch.
• It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
• Whenever you set out to do something, something else must be done first.
• The Light at the end of the tunnel is only the light of an oncoming train.

And, by many reports, Murphy was an optimist.:)

Epper1 12-27-2020 01:25 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Had no problems with 6 volt starters changed to 12 volts

McMimmcs 12-27-2020 01:41 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epper1 (Post 1967230)
Had no problems with 6 volt starters changed to 12 volts

I changed 2 since June and both bendix springs broke.

VeryTangled 12-27-2020 02:48 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Hi Everyone. One consideration would be who is gonna help you when you have to do troubleshooting? The farther a vehicle is from stock the more variables are inserted, I feel.

Robz51 12-27-2020 04:55 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

My 52 merc has been 12 volts for 26 years. The engine has been 12 volts for 32 years and I've never laid a hand on the starter. Just my experience. Make sure you yse the correct resistors(regulator) for the gauges. I know there are merits to 6 volts and they can be reliable. Guess it's a personal choice.

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

estout81 12-27-2020 06:36 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

No difference in troubleshooting. Just different numbers on the meter.

JSeery 12-27-2020 09:10 PM

Re: My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by estout81 (Post 1967324)
No difference in troubleshooting. Just different numbers on the meter.

And to non-early Ford people the positive ground can be a challenge. :)


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