New guy and I have a weird question

[dave hummell]

Hello Everyone, I have a 31 coupe I drive around with and I am a perpetual tinkerer. I am going to add a cab heater from Snyder's and I'm going to change to 12 volt alt. Last year I installed the 6 volt led tail lights for safety and I'm wondering if I could run the 12 volt power into a voltage reducer then on to the power for my tail lights and the led center brake light? I know I'll have to get the reducer for my horn. I will change the rest of my bulbs to 12 volt. My girlfriend says get some heat in it before fall. Thank you Dave

[katy]

A 7806 for each light should work: https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/d...SABEgK1RPD_BwE

[Big hammer]

Get 12 volt LEDs tail lights, post the 6 volt lights in the swap meet site!

[Chris in WNC]

Why 12 volt?

[eagle]

These work well. Pay attention to polarity. https://www.ebay.com/itm/39309906182...UAAOSwp1RgBAyg

[mass A man]

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Save your money for the gas pumps, stay with the 6 volts, but you'll both be happier with an Autolite Ford Model A manifold heater.

[HDowse]

I'll second Maas A man's comment on the Autolite manifold heater. Search for it in the swap section and on here so you can see what it is. It includes a new exhaust manifold with heat fins, a cast iron cover over the manifold that has a large front air opening and a smaller rear opening that is usually connected with flex pipe to a hole in the firewall directly behind the rear opening. Inside is a fitting with a round door that you open when you want heat. The beauty of it is 1) close to instant heat, 2) no problems with hoses or electrical connection and 3) it's right in front of the passenger's legs who, in my ‘29 coupe she always comments on how nice the heat is. Also, not being snarky at all, but you really don't need the 12v conversion at all. Ride with the stock system for a while, be sure you have the really thick 6v cables and ground strap and you'll be fine.

[Gene F]

I have the waffle manifold, and an Autolie heater. Nice to have. Works best if you crack a window.

[nkaminar]

The only problem with the manifold heater is if you have an exhaust leak at the manifold.

[dave hummell]

I will not trust the manifold heater I want the hot water heater that is why I am going to 12 volt alt.

[mass A man]

OK, the only trouble could arise if you want/ or need to remove the upper toe board. Hot water heater may be in the way. An exhaust leak will virtually never enter the Autolite intake. Think about it. Either at idle or moving, the fan/wind is blowing warm radiator air into the big front air intake ALL THE TIME, ahead of any leaky exhaust port. The cast iron cover fits snugly onto the top of the Autolite manifold, nothing getting in there. The exit duct should be sealed up well enough no C.M. can get through to the passenger compartment. Not trying to "sell" anyone on the crazy Autolite heater but wanted to set the truth here. I have no hot water heater in my way or passenger's feet hitting it. God love the guys that figure it all out with the hot water heater placements.

[1939mars]

My dad and I deal in the stock manifold heaters for flathead V8s (they were available '34-'46). The manifold heaters really are quite neat I think; a very elegant solution. Aircraft use them so they can be done safely. Google "carbon monoxide detector card" and you will find what I think is the best way to keep an eye on it. I also tried electronic detectors but found that in wet weather, exactly when you want the heater, they did not read correctly.

[mass A man]

Yes, the older aircraft all used a type of augmenter to retrieve the hot air created by the combustion of the engines. Even today the jets use an APU turbine to supply electricity for many things on board, heaters also. The old Ford "air heaters" were safe if all parts were in order (same with the mechanical brake system). There's enough gaps and a window cracked open helps big time with hot air entering the Model A. You guys with the Phaeton's and roadsters--God love you all in the cold weather! Get those side curtains on tight!

[1939mars]

Not just older aircraft. Modern general aviation aircraft use them today. That is why so many pilot shops sell the detector cards I mentioned.

[dave hummell]

I own a machine job shop so I can do so much more than the average car owner so figuring out the mounting for the heater will not be that much aggravation. I am 66 years old and the fingers are not liking the cold anymore I was a heavy truck and equipment mechanic for 40 years.

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by dave hummell

I will not trust the manifold heater I want the hot water heater that is why I am going to 12 volt alt.

If you want a hot water heater, that's fine.
But my original question still stands:
Why open up an unnecessary can of worms converting to 12v when Snyders also sells a 6v heater?

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...-a/accessories

[nkaminar]

I put the heater sold by Snyders in my car. It is the one using coolant from the engine. It came with the car and the previous owner took it out so it was easy to put back in. It gets in the way of the GAV/choke rod for the original carburetor but I put the Weber back on. I have a ball valve at the fitting that comes off the outlet pipe at the top of the head. I made my own scoop to encourage coolant to flow into the heater and did not use the adapter that fits on the upper radiator hose. Works great in the winter and coolant flow stays off in the summer.

There was a thread on the Barn forum a couple of months ago where an owner did a great job routing the heater pipes using soldered copper tubing. Much nicer than my rubber hose.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

I put the heater sold by Snyders in my car. It is the one using coolant from the engine. It came with the car and the previous owner took it out so it was easy to put back in. It gets in the way of the GAV/choke rod for the original carburetor but I put the Weber back on. I have a ball valve at the fitting that comes off the outlet pipe at the top of the head. I made my own scoop to encourage coolant to flow into the heater and did not use the adapter that fits on the upper radiator hose. Works great in the winter and coolant flow stays off in the summer.

There was a thread on the Barn forum a couple of months ago where an owner did a great job routing the heater pipes using soldered copper tubing. Much nicer than my rubber hose.

Can you post a picture? I’d love to see where/how you mounted it.


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[katy]

Originally Posted by dave hummell

I will not trust the manifold heater I want the hot water heater that is why I am going to 12 volt alt.

Millions of VW beetles w/air cooled engines used manifold heaters.

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by katy

Millions of VW beetles w/air cooled engines used manifold heaters.

The manifold heaters in my last 3 Model As have worked about 10x better than the heaters in my old VWs .......