The Ford Barn

Cecil/WV · 08-12-2014, 02:16 PM

I am restoring my '52 Ford F-7. I bought it in 1992 and it is a former fire truck. I have driven it extensively over the years. it was converted to 12v before I got it. it looks like all that was done for a conversion was to install an alternator, change the polarity, put a resistor on the coil and heater motor. There are no voltage reducers on the gauges and the gauges have worked correctly at all times. Attached is a pic of the cluster as it came out of the truck.

Seth Swoboda · 08-12-2014, 02:17 PM

WOW! I wish that would always work. I guess don't change a thing??

51 MERC-CT · 08-12-2014, 02:33 PM

There doesn't have to be reducers on each gage. Check to see if there is a later Ford style reducer on the feed side of the wire going to the gages.
If there isn't one, then putting in a reducer for the gages has been a waste of time for many of us.

G.M. · 08-12-2014, 03:54 PM

Hey Cecil that makes it easy to put back to 6 volts. G.M.

51 MERC-CT · 08-12-2014, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.M.

Hey Cecil that makes it easy to put back to 6 volts. G.M.

Only if you don't change the polarity. Getting the wire reversed in the back of the ammeter was the worst part of the conversion.

rotorwrench · 08-12-2014, 05:22 PM

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I've seen several fire trucks that were already set up for 12-volts in that time frame. They had alternators on them too. There was a thread on here with a fire truck that had one of those old alternators on it.

Cecil/WV · 08-12-2014, 05:48 PM

There are no reducers on this truck! It did have a generator new, because the wiring tells me so. They put a junction block where the regulator would have been to connect necessary wires together to complete the Bat wire to the alt. Its easy to see how the Bat wire could have been rerouted through the ammeter. The wiring is so bad, I don't know why it still ran and didn't burn. On a positive note, the cab is totally rust free, except for some minor surface rust on the floor around the brake filler hole. No rust repairs except on the front fenders. I guess that is what you get with a fire truck.

Bruce Lancaster · 08-13-2014, 08:47 AM

Read up on the gauges in Flat Ernie's posts here and in the bulletins. Unlike most electric gauges, these are not controlled by resistance.

tubman · 08-13-2014, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I've seen several fire trucks that were already set up for 12-volts in that time frame. They had alternators on them too. There was a thread on here with a fire truck that had one of those old alternators on it.

My 1948 Seagrave also was 12 volt from the factory, if that means anything.

Cecil/WV · 08-13-2014, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lancaster

Read up on the gauges in Flat Ernie's posts here and in the bulletins. Unlike most electric gauges, these are not controlled by resistance.

Obviously not, because they work like they are supposed to!

08-12-2014, 02:17 PM	#2
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 4,079	Re: Explain this! WOW! I wish that would always work. I guess don't change a thing??

08-12-2014, 02:33 PM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Explain this! There doesn't have to be reducers on each gage. Check to see if there is a later Ford style reducer on the feed side of the wire going to the gages. If there isn't one, then putting in a reducer for the gages has been a waste of time for many of us. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

08-12-2014, 03:54 PM	#4
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: Explain this! Hey Cecil that makes it easy to put back to 6 volts. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

08-12-2014, 05:22 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: Explain this! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've seen several fire trucks that were already set up for 12-volts in that time frame. They had alternators on them too. There was a thread on here with a fire truck that had one of those old alternators on it.

08-12-2014, 05:48 PM	#7
Cecil/WV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gerrardstown, WV Posts: 2,298	Re: Explain this! There are no reducers on this truck! It did have a generator new, because the wiring tells me so. They put a junction block where the regulator would have been to connect necessary wires together to complete the Bat wire to the alt. Its easy to see how the Bat wire could have been rerouted through the ammeter. The wiring is so bad, I don't know why it still ran and didn't burn. On a positive note, the cab is totally rust free, except for some minor surface rust on the floor around the brake filler hole. No rust repairs except on the front fenders. I guess that is what you get with a fire truck.

08-13-2014, 08:47 AM	#8
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Explain this! Read up on the gauges in Flat Ernie's posts here and in the bulletins. Unlike most electric gauges, these are not controlled by resistance.