The Ford Barn

russcc · 10-04-2015, 08:44 AM

I have converted a 8BA 6 volt generator to 12 volts by using the original 6 volt armature and the later Ford 12V case/field coils & end plate. How can you go about converting the earlier 59 type 6 volt to 12 volts. This for a '40 coupe that was converted to 12V and has a alternator which is out of place on a stock '40. I know I could go back to 6 volts with the correct regulator, generator, replace bulbs and remove resistor, but I would prefer to retain the 12 volts if possible. Thank you Fordbarners. See you at Hershey. Weather is looking good for Tuesday & Wed. so far.

JSeery · 10-04-2015, 10:13 AM

Several ways to do it, depends on how much money you want to spend and what the amperage output requirements are. The 6 volt generator will output 12 volts with the correct regulator, but at reduced amps. You can also rework with later parts to create a 12 volt generator or you can purchase conversion kits. Another way to go is an alternator built inside of a generator housing. E. J. Whitney is one source, but there are others (NOT cheap!).

"The E. J. Whitney Company has been converting vintage automotive generators to alternators for a few years with great success.

We primarily do flathead Ford generators from the model A thru 1953 (seven models). The early models had a cutout relay on top of the generator which we convert and install on the new unit so it hooks up just as Ford intended. We also do Delco Remy. The focus of our design is to reuse as much of the original generator as is practical to preserve that original look.

All of the units we produce are 40 amps which are more than cars of this age ever had to begin with. All internal parts are new first quality alternator parts from a major manufacturer. Our alternators are capable of putting out over one hundred amps on the test bench but exceeding forty amps for an extended time would overheat the unit."

Whitney Co., Inc., E. J. 529 S. Raymond Ave., Fullerton, Ca 714-773-1611

Andy · 10-04-2015, 11:30 AM

I did it the same way you did the later gen. I bought a 56 gen and used the case. I bought a matching regulator and after a minor adjustment, works great. I am using a coil and resister from same era.

scooder · 10-04-2015, 03:18 PM

As Andy said, same as you did with the 8BA, the 59A generator will bolt to the front of the later 12 volt case.
Martin.

russcc · 10-04-2015, 06:52 PM

Thank you. That's good news, as I can get another '56 Ford 12 Volt generator from the same source as the one for the 8BA.

richard crow · 10-04-2015, 07:53 PM

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i onced had a 40 ford that i convered to 12v. all i did was use a 12v voltage regulator on the orignal 6v gen it worked fine.i know all you guys will say bull

JSeery · 10-05-2015, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard crow

i onced had a 40 ford that i convered to 12v. all i did was use a 12v voltage regulator on the orignal 6v gen it worked fine.i know all you guys will say bull

Nope, it will work fine, just at a lower amperage output. Been done hundreds of times I'm sure. I noted that in my first post! All generators put out far higher voltage than the system requires, that is one of the functions of a regulator, to keep the voltage in the correct range.

flatheadmurre · 10-05-2015, 09:24 AM

And the fields arent designed for the higher voltage...but if they are enough oversized to take the increased power dissipated in them without overheating it will work just fine.
The power of a motor or a generator is constant.
Thats the reason you burn a starter with a weak battery, when the voltage goes down the current goes up to maintain the power and something designed to handle 100amps dont like 200amps.
Same works with the generator you raise the voltage out you cant get the same current out without burning the unit.
Its designed to handle just so much power you push it harder it overheats and the insulation goes bad.

neildavis · 02-19-2025, 10:25 AM

Can you get a 6 volt generator to charge 12 volt battery by changing the cutout switch on top of genarator

Tim Ayers · 02-19-2025, 01:04 PM

Russcc:

Try to find my previous post about this conversion here or on the HAMB. I use Delco12V remanufactured generators to do it this conversion. It's quite simple and works great.

I get the Delco remans from RockAuto for around $80 including the core charge.

If you can't find it, I'll try to search for it and link it later.

Tim

Edit: I see this a zombie post back from the dead. LOL

10-04-2015, 08:44 AM	#1
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	6volt generator to 12 Volt I have converted a 8BA 6 volt generator to 12 volts by using the original 6 volt armature and the later Ford 12V case/field coils & end plate. How can you go about converting the earlier 59 type 6 volt to 12 volts. This for a '40 coupe that was converted to 12V and has a alternator which is out of place on a stock '40. I know I could go back to 6 volts with the correct regulator, generator, replace bulbs and remove resistor, but I would prefer to retain the 12 volts if possible. Thank you Fordbarners. See you at Hershey. Weather is looking good for Tuesday & Wed. so far.

10-04-2015, 10:13 AM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 6volt generator to 12 Volt Several ways to do it, depends on how much money you want to spend and what the amperage output requirements are. The 6 volt generator will output 12 volts with the correct regulator, but at reduced amps. You can also rework with later parts to create a 12 volt generator or you can purchase conversion kits. Another way to go is an alternator built inside of a generator housing. E. J. Whitney is one source, but there are others (NOT cheap!). "The E. J. Whitney Company has been converting vintage automotive generators to alternators for a few years with great success. We primarily do flathead Ford generators from the model A thru 1953 (seven models). The early models had a cutout relay on top of the generator which we convert and install on the new unit so it hooks up just as Ford intended. We also do Delco Remy. The focus of our design is to reuse as much of the original generator as is practical to preserve that original look. All of the units we produce are 40 amps which are more than cars of this age ever had to begin with. All internal parts are new first quality alternator parts from a major manufacturer. Our alternators are capable of putting out over one hundred amps on the test bench but exceeding forty amps for an extended time would overheat the unit." Whitney Co., Inc., E. J. 529 S. Raymond Ave., Fullerton, Ca 714-773-1611

10-04-2015, 11:30 AM	#3
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,879	Re: 6volt generator to 12 Volt I did it the same way you did the later gen. I bought a 56 gen and used the case. I bought a matching regulator and after a minor adjustment, works great. I am using a coil and resister from same era.

10-04-2015, 03:18 PM	#4
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,595	Re: 6volt generator to 12 Volt As Andy said, same as you did with the 8BA, the 59A generator will bolt to the front of the later 12 volt case. Martin.

10-04-2015, 06:52 PM	#5
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: 6volt generator to 12 Volt Thank you. That's good news, as I can get another '56 Ford 12 Volt generator from the same source as the one for the 8BA.

10-04-2015, 07:53 PM	#6
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,863	Re: 6volt generator to 12 Volt Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) i onced had a 40 ford that i convered to 12v. all i did was use a 12v voltage regulator on the orignal 6v gen it worked fine.i know all you guys will say bull

10-05-2015, 09:24 AM	#8
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: 6volt generator to 12 Volt And the fields arent designed for the higher voltage...but if they are enough oversized to take the increased power dissipated in them without overheating it will work just fine. The power of a motor or a generator is constant. Thats the reason you burn a starter with a weak battery, when the voltage goes down the current goes up to maintain the power and something designed to handle 100amps dont like 200amps. Same works with the generator you raise the voltage out you cant get the same current out without burning the unit. Its designed to handle just so much power you push it harder it overheats and the insulation goes bad. Last edited by flatheadmurre; 10-05-2015 at 09:32 AM.

02-19-2025, 10:25 AM	#9
neildavis Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 1	Re: 6volt generator to 12 Volt Can you get a 6 volt generator to charge 12 volt battery by changing the cutout switch on top of genarator

02-19-2025, 01:04 PM	#10
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,919	Re: 6volt generator to 12 Volt Russcc: Try to find my previous post about this conversion here or on the HAMB. I use Delco12V remanufactured generators to do it this conversion. It's quite simple and works great. I get the Delco remans from RockAuto for around $80 including the core charge. If you can't find it, I'll try to search for it and link it later. Tim Edit: I see this a zombie post back from the dead. LOL