tanglfoot

[Tanglfoot]

Has anybody out there in Model A land converted a Model A 6v Generator 3 brush to 12 volts

[Mike V. Florida]

Most, if not all, the vendors sell the parts to do so.

[Bob-A]

Do a search on the subject. Fellow FordBarn'er Mr. Purdy Swoft has done it to a Model-A or two that he owns. I think it basicly boils down to changing over to a 12 volt battery. Plus, a 12 volt coil and light bulbs.
Probably a little more to it then that, but I'm sure someone with more info should jump in and give you the correct procedure.

Bob-A

[Patrick L.]

The generator really doesn't care about voltage. It'll work as is.

[Bill Goddard]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

The generator really doesn't care about voltage. It'll work as is.

Can you elaborate on that? You are saying I can use a "6V" generator on a 12 V System and it will give out 12V ? And what about the cutout? Thanks Bill G?

[Keith True]

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The battery itself is the regulator.You can put a 12 volt battery in the A and it will charge.The generator can put out up to 40?? or so volts.I have a generator on one of my A's that was run on 12 volts for 40+ years in a tractor.It hauled wood,plowed the yard,hauled sap,raked hay,until the engine wore out.I cleaned the generator up and have been using it now for 12-15 years or so on 6 volts again.

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by Bob-A

Do a search on the subject. Fellow FordBarn'er Mr. Purdy Swoft has done it to a Model-A or two that he owns. I think it basicly boils down to changing over to a 12 volt battery. Plus, a 12 volt coil and light bulbs.
Probably a little more to it then that, but I'm sure someone with more info should jump in and give you the correct procedure.

Bob-A

Bob-A is correct. If the generator is in good operating condition No modifications are needed for the generator. Here is how I did mine. Install a twelve volt battery and connect it positive ground and not a single wire will need to be changed. The original coil can be used with a resistor. I prefer A performance 3.0 OHM coil for hotter spark and better pereformance. I use the Pertronix Flame thrower 40.000 volt epoxy filled coil. The Flame thrower coil mounts just like the original and looks pretty much like other replacement coils. I use the original style 20 amp ammeter . An original Cutout, not a repro will work. I prefer the Fun Projects can style voltage regulator. The can style regulator mounts in place of the cutout and looks just like the early cut out and doesn't require any mods to the generator. Other than changing the bulbs you will need a resistor on the horn and electric wiper motor if an electrice wiper is used. The starter works real good on 12 volts. I use the barrel starter drive but the original Bendix drive will work.

I prefer the positive ground twelve volt setup and it has worked great for me. This setup is really easier on the generator because it operates on less amps. If you want to run lots of accessories this may not work as well. I do use the 35 watt halogen bulbs but correct reflectors are necessary if you want the headlamps to focus.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by Bill Goddard

Can you elaborate on that? You are saying I can use a "6V" generator on a 12 V System and it will give out 12V ? And what about the cutout? Thanks Bill G?

Bill, like the fellas said, the generator doesn't care about volts. It'll work as is. If the battery is changed from positive to negative ground, then it'll need to be re-polarized/flashed thats all.

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Bill, like the fellas said, the generator doesn't care about volts. It'll work as is. If the battery is changed from positive to negative ground, then it'll need to be re-polarized/flashed thats all.

Just like Pat said, the generator doesn't know the difference. In other words, the generator charges in AMPS, amps charges the battery. This type conversion is really an easy UPGRADE. It works good for me and it doesn't show. I got my battery at Walmart so that I could pick the battery of choice, Both posts are on the same side with twelve volt batteries instead of being oiffset like the 6 volt batteries. I chose a battery with both posts on the right side with the ground post at the right rear.

[Tanglfoot]

Hey, thank you all for your very informative replies--I have changed the starter to 12v by swapping field coils with another starter and the horn by rewiring the field coils according to Les Andrews--they both work great but I wasn't sure about the genny--now I know.
Thanks and cheers
Rosco