12 volt conversion not needed

[Airsho93]

I was all set to do a 12 volt conversion. I had second thoughts after reading that I really don't need it and that it would just temp. mask my real problems.

I did what was suggested with bigger cables, grounding, and making sure things were correct. That starter spins like a brand new one. Before I was afraid to take it anywhere and was reluctant to start it in front of anyone. Boy did the starter drag. Not now and I can't wait to get her back on the road. I have some throttle drag issues and wobbling front tires to work on next.

I am staying 6 volt and happy to keep it original.

[Chris Haynes]

If I could have my radio and GPS with six volt I would be happy to keep it.

[Hank the 36]

Airsho93 what gage wire did you use and what did you do for better grounding ?
H36

[700rpm]

Good decision.

[Kevin in NJ]

The GPS's today charge off the USB which is only 5 volts.

One of these electric products guys should get some kind of regulated USB port that works off 6 volt cars.

[Patrick L.]

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Hank, Just use 0 gauge wire[ or braided for ground].. Scrape or grind the frame clean and you can also run a line from the frame connection to the transmission/bellhousing.. You can get these ready made at equipment, tractor supply stores or welding stores..

[Tom Wesenberg]

Throttle drag is usually caused by lack of oil on the 2 supports for the crosshaft and oil on the bellcrank pivot. My 29 had sticky linkage due to the support arms being bent and binding the shaft. I've also seen thethrottle linkage binding on the edge of the hole in the wood floorboard.

[HoarseWhisperer]

I run GPS, cell phone, etc., using a 6v positive ground to 12v negative ground, Power Inverter.

No issues.

[Airsho93]

I used 2/0 wire. Its big but it sure works good. A bit stiff but workable. I grounded to the tranny. I bought a long enough braided flat cable to do this. I thought I was going to have to buy a new starter but it is just fine. I haven't checked yet but I may need to gound the body to the frame. I'm not sure how that works. Maybe not I noticed the lights worked even better than before. I also bought me a 6 volt Optima battery. I have used these before and didn't have any corrosion and it worked flawlessly.

Thanks Tom, I will try to oil them up to free the linkage first. I am thinking I heard you have a simple mod for the voltage cut out. Is that you? I think it is called a EVM. It regulates the charging of the battery.

[Roadster62]

In simple easy to understand terms why would someone want to convert to 12 Volt? You're not running a small block Chevy are you?

[Tom Endy]

Bratton's sell an inverter that converts 6-volt positive ground to 12-volt negative ground, using the car frame as a common ground for both. Photo is of an assembly I fabricated that fits up under the dash rail on the passenger side. It includes an off\on switch, pilot light, and power out receptical. There is enough 12-volt power to run a GPS and charge a cell phone.

Tom Endy

[Tom Endy]

Photo of the installed assembly.

Tom Endy

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

In simple easy to understand terms why would someone want to convert to 12 Volt? You not sunning a small block Chevy are you?

I'm not running a small block chevy. I just believe that 12 volt is superior in every way. The auto makers changed to 12 volts nearly sixty years ago and saving money with smaller wiring wasn't the only reason. I remember when all the cars were six volt and we would often wonder if the car would crank. If the car had a standard shift you could push them off, if it had automatic transmission, you would be SOL !!! The model A will crank fine with 6 volt if you have good grounds, the engine is in good tune and you have a good battery. The model A will crank much quicker on 12 volts and have power to spare. Good 12 volt batteries and components are always available, anywhere. Nobody is saying that the purists need to change to 12 volt. My model A's are fun driver cars and it just makes good sense to me. I want my model A to look original and have the model A sound. The sound of a slower turning starter doesn't thrill me in the least.

Setting a model A up with 12 volts doesn't require useing an alternator. The completely stock generator will charge 12 volt at less amps and probably be more reliable. The starter performs better and is less likely to burn out on the lower amperage draw with 12 volts. No original wiring will need to be changed. The larger guage six volt type wireing will carry the 12 volts even better, with less chance of overheating and burning. You can keep the positive ground and no wires will need to be reversed. If you want to run an original coil with 12 volt, you can, but will need to use a resistor that only costs a few dollars. I run a performance 3.0 ohm coil and don't need a resistor. Twelve volt bulbs usually don't cost anymore and the twelve volt halogen bulbs usually cost less and are more readily available. The battery is hidden under the floor boards and will not be visable. The engine will crank so quickly, most will be amazed and not even hear the starter.

This will pertain to fun driver cars and not the show car , museum pieces that some prefer. Usually when 12 volt comes up, some will fret over their original horn and windshield wiper motor, if present. I run and old JC Whitney ahooga horn and like it. On the other hand, most of the original horn rebuilders can rebuild the horn in 6 or 12 volt.

I wouldn't go out and change over a car that was running six volt in good condition. When building up a new project that I wanted to use and enjoy, I would go 12 volt. In most cases 12 volt components cost less and are always readily available. I use the Fun Projects voltage regulator that can be had in 6, 8, or 12 volt versions. This can style regulator takes the place of the cut out and has performed flawlessly for me for several years. I have also run 12 volt on original and repro cutouts. I prefer the can style regulator because it has no points to stick like the original cut out and gives voltage regulation, like modern cars. I don't consider any of this to be a bandaid, I consider it a very reasonable improvement.

[newshirt]

I love the Rrr-Rrr-Rrr sound of the 6v starter! It's an old-timey sound you don't get with modern cars.

Here's my solution for GPS, which I rarely need. GPS runs for 12 hours on one charge.

[Roadster62]

Thanks Purdy Swoft, Sounds like a lot of work just to get a different sound out of the starter. As for the GPS guys, I still read maps.

[Purdy Swoft]

Actually it is not anymore work at all. If you are building up a model A, you will have to install a battery, bulbs and a coil. Its more too it than just the sound of the starter, you get all of the benefits of twelve volt and none of the draw backs of six volt. As for the Rrr-Rrr- Rrr sound, I sure want to get away from that. It only reminds me of times that I just as soon forget, Wondering if we were going anywhere or not. This is not refering to worn out junkers. I remember the last new six volt car that my dad bought, it was a 1953 olds 88 with a 303 V8 and a standard shift. My mom always had problems cranking the V8 olds. We were very glad when dad traded in the olds for a new 56 Chevy with the power pac 265 and overdrive, that ended the horrors of the weak and obsolete six volt system.

I remember as a teenager that my gear head friends would change over to twelve volt. We liked running the six volt starters on the Y block fords on twelve volt, it really made a difference. By the time that Chevrolet came out with the small block, they were using twelve volts. Six volt is fine for museum cars and will work ok on model A's if you can find a good battery. Golf carts are about the only thing that uses six volt. Sorry I can't help myself, I just prefer a fresh, powerful twelve volt system and know how its done.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

And Purdy, if you want to have a fan on the windshield to keep it clear in the Minnesota cold weather you won't do it with 6 volt. On the other hand, 12 volt blowers PUMP.

[Purdy Swoft]

Might could use the twelve volt blower as a supercharger, if piped in to the throat of the carb. I never tried it because I didn't figure that it would be enough boost for the work involved. Some of the old superchargers (Paxton) looked sort of like a heater fan blower but were engine driven.

[Roadster62]

I've never understood how more volts will run in a smaller wire, but less volts need a larger wire.

[46ford]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

I've never understood how more volts will run in a smaller wire, but less volts need a larger wire.

P=IxE. Power = volts x Amps. More volts... fewer amps needed. That's why wire size was reduced when 12V came on scene.

Count me in on the 6V side... though it does require the engine to be in tune, with good compression and good electrical components.

My old F2 wouldl only start on 12V becuase the engine was beat. My '46 starts great on 6V because of new rings and good tune.