Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-24-2021, 03:02 PM   #1
YoDon1954
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Maine
Posts: 10
Default Is it 6 Volt or not?

I recently purchased a 52 Ford Customline which is predominantly original. How do I verify if it is still 6 volts? The battery is 6V--the headlights are 12V--and the headlights don't work, but the taillights do.
YoDon1954 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 03:13 PM   #2
Lawson Cox
Senior Member
 
Lawson Cox's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia
Posts: 7,009
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

If the battery is 6V odds are it is all 6V and that is the reason the 12V headlights don't work. 6V battery will have three filler holes.
__________________
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes.

It is better to be seen, than viewed.

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".
Lawson Cox is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 09-24-2021, 03:31 PM   #3
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,913
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

Do all your gauges still work?? Does it start and run......OR h.ave you tried turning it over IF it doesn't run??? IF your starter turns.....There is your answer
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 04:37 PM   #4
VeryTangled
Senior Member
 
VeryTangled's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC
Posts: 3,386
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

Put a voltmeter on the wires feeding the headlights?
__________________
-Jeff H

Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?
VeryTangled is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 04:58 PM   #5
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,346
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

To be a 12-volt system, It has to have a 12-volt generator or alternator and a 12-volt battery. Conversion requires replacement of all bulbs from 6-volt to 12-volt. Electric motors for the heater and the horn vibrators may need voltage dropping resistors. The gauges and the ignition coil also need voltage drops such as runtz type constant voltage regulator devices and ballast resistors respectively. The runtz product is what Randy Rundle calls his CVRs at the 5th Avenue Internet Garage web site. A person can purchase these or make them yourself if you know how to solder. Randy also carries the dropping resistors but he's not the only source. It takes a while to do a complete conversion. Working on the dash components are the hard part. Old radios with a standard vibrator will work on negative ground systems but they will need a voltage drop as well. Solid state radios are polarity sensitive.

All of the bulbs of 6-volt origin have a 12-volt counterpart that will fit in the sockets and headlamp buckets. A person just needs to know what part numbers to look for. Find out what kind of generator or alternator it has and that will likely be the best clue as to what the current status is. There are also converted alternators for 6-volt positive ground or ones that are made to look like a generator so look carefully.

The previous owner is the one to ask about this stuff. If he doesn't know then find out who did his work for him and ask them.

FYI: 12-volt lamps and bulbs will be very dim on 6-volt source. 6-Volt bulbs will quickly burn out on a 12-volt power source.

Welcome to the barn.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 09-24-2021 at 05:11 PM.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 05:49 PM   #6
cas3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: sw minnesota
Posts: 4,529
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
look at one of the tail light bulbs. should have some markings on it
cas3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 11:18 PM   #7
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

1954 was the first year for 12 volt cars. It's fair to understand the ignition systems went 6 volts for years after.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2021, 12:51 AM   #8
V8COOPMAN
Senior Member
 
V8COOPMAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON
Posts: 11,100
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinker View Post
1954 was the first year for 12 volt cars. It's fair to understand the ignition systems went 6 volts for years after.

C'mon Tink! If you ever get hooked-up on that internet thing that Al Gore invented, it will be easy to see that 1954 is NOT the correct answer for the year that everyone switched to 12v. DD

.
__________________
Click Links Below __


'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN


T5 W/TORQUE TUBE
V8COOPMAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2021, 06:19 AM   #9
Charlie ny
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,019
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

1956
Charlie ny
Charlie ny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2021, 07:07 AM   #10
Mart
Senior Member
 
Mart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Solihull, England.
Posts: 8,730
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

You could look at the voltage regulator. If it looks relatively new it might have 12V or even 16V written on it.

Mart.
Mart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2021, 07:29 AM   #11
Ford Freak
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pittsford NY. USA
Posts: 1,094
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

First year for 12V was 1956.
__________________
1952 Ford F1
1965 Ford Falcon Sprint
2007 Ford Mustang GT
Ford Freak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2021, 12:15 PM   #12
blucar
Senior Member
 
blucar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 2,463
Default Re: Is it 6 Volt or not?

Had a neighbor in 1961-62 that had a '55 Ford sedan, the battery/electrical in the car was 8v.
__________________
Bill.... 36 5 win cpe
blucar is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 AM.