Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Duke
The reason that the manufacturers changed to 12 volts is to save money. By using a higher voltage they could use smaller wires. It is as simple as that. MONEY.
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The 12 volt conversion by the OEM seems to be a few factors, as well as negative ground. Interesting subject for trivia maybe. I've read it was because in part - 1956 or thereabouts, due to higher compression engines becoming widespread. Six volts just didn't have the oomph to reliably turn over the larger engines. Vehicle accessories started to take off in a big way postwar and placed increasing demands on the electrical systems. Wire size played a role too - copper is viewed as a precious metal by the accounting department apparently. Semiconductors and alternators replaced generators, transistors replaced vacuum tubes in radios, making a negative ground system the better choice.