The Ford Barn

Tom Endy · 11-16-2013, 01:40 AM

I recall sitting in 9th grade auto shop class in 1950. My teacher was a young man name Mr. White. Mr. White told the class that in a few years the auto industry was going to change over from 6-volts to 12-volts. The reason was because they would be able to reduce the cross sectional area of copper wire, in other words go to a smaller gauge. This would save them millions of dollars a year in the cost of wire. I clearly remember what he said, but I didn't have clue of what he was talking about.

In 1955 the auto industry started changing over. I never did find out how Mr. White knew all this five years before it occurred. He must have read about it somewhere. As an adult in later years with acquired knowledge I fully understand what he was talking about. It has nothing to do with starter cranking speed, bright lights, etc., and all the other reason people convert a Model A, it has to do with the cost to build the car. If the industry had stayed with 6-volts today's modern cars with many electrical devices would have wire sizes the diameter of your thumb and cost would be sky high.

The absence of ammeters in later cars was also cost related. The amount of current that would have to pass through a single ammeter in a modern car would require a very large gauge wire.

I still see Mr. White occasionally as he is an old car guy. He is not so young now, but neither am I. We are both senior citizens, but I still address him as Mr. White.

Tom Endy

11-16-2013, 01:40 AM	#22
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,168	Re: 12 volt conversion I recall sitting in 9th grade auto shop class in 1950. My teacher was a young man name Mr. White. Mr. White told the class that in a few years the auto industry was going to change over from 6-volts to 12-volts. The reason was because they would be able to reduce the cross sectional area of copper wire, in other words go to a smaller gauge. This would save them millions of dollars a year in the cost of wire. I clearly remember what he said, but I didn't have clue of what he was talking about. In 1955 the auto industry started changing over. I never did find out how Mr. White knew all this five years before it occurred. He must have read about it somewhere. As an adult in later years with acquired knowledge I fully understand what he was talking about. It has nothing to do with starter cranking speed, bright lights, etc., and all the other reason people convert a Model A, it has to do with the cost to build the car. If the industry had stayed with 6-volts today's modern cars with many electrical devices would have wire sizes the diameter of your thumb and cost would be sky high. The absence of ammeters in later cars was also cost related. The amount of current that would have to pass through a single ammeter in a modern car would require a very large gauge wire. I still see Mr. White occasionally as he is an old car guy. He is not so young now, but neither am I. We are both senior citizens, but I still address him as Mr. White. Tom Endy