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koates · 01-14-2021, 05:24 PM

Horses for courses. 12 volt armatures have more turns per coil and are a smaller gauge copper wire than a 6 volt armature. Like wise the field coils for a 12 volt gen have more turns and a smaller gauge wire than a 6 volt armature. The result here is if a 6 volt generator is used on a 12 volt system then performance will be compromised. Maximum safe rated amps out put would be reduced and it would take higher RPM armature speed to build up the required voltage for it to overcome battery voltage and commence charging. Now some people say their 6 volt generators work fine on 12 volts but all I can say is that they will work but not work as well as they should. Also if you leave the 6 volt field coils in the generator running on 12 volts then the field current will be double which will cause the 12 volt regulator voltage and current contacts to have a much reduced life. All in all not the best outcome for your charging system. Do what you wish. Regards, Kevin.

01-14-2021, 05:24 PM	#2
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,079	Re: 6 volt generator to 12 volt Horses for courses. 12 volt armatures have more turns per coil and are a smaller gauge copper wire than a 6 volt armature. Like wise the field coils for a 12 volt gen have more turns and a smaller gauge wire than a 6 volt armature. The result here is if a 6 volt generator is used on a 12 volt system then performance will be compromised. Maximum safe rated amps out put would be reduced and it would take higher RPM armature speed to build up the required voltage for it to overcome battery voltage and commence charging. Now some people say their 6 volt generators work fine on 12 volts but all I can say is that they will work but not work as well as they should. Also if you leave the 6 volt field coils in the generator running on 12 volts then the field current will be double which will cause the 12 volt regulator voltage and current contacts to have a much reduced life. All in all not the best outcome for your charging system. Do what you wish. Regards, Kevin.