My Friend BB wants pros and cons to upgrade to 12volt system

[Cadillac Bill]

My friend BB has a 53 Mercury and thinking about upgrading to a 12v system.

Pros and Cons?

Your opinion?

[Jack E/NJ]

Tell your friend to google the keywords pros and cons to upgrade from 6 volt to 12volt system

8^) Jack E/NJ

[Joe Immler]

I have had my restored 1941 Coupe for 30 years. It is 6 volt. I have had no reason to convert to 12 volt. I changed my tail lights to LED as they were very dim. Fabulous now.
I put my battery on a trickle charger when I put the car away for winter. I bought the battery new in 2013 and it is still just fine. If one cares for and maintains a 6 volt system
all seems well. The only reason I can see going to 12 volt would be to upgrade to a good radio or something.

[whizzernick]

very easy to change to 12 v (I use original generator with cut out--My car is a 1933 ) generator charges 12v battery just fine I drove my 1933 roadster to grand national meet in 1983 (and many other meets ) YOUR 41 you might have to get a 12 volt gen and regulator . ( I think a late ford gen and regulator will work ( other barners would know )
I use original coil ( I just add a resistor to original resistor) I use 65 mustang resistor (must keep it FORD )
change all light bulbs
easy to change back --- + or - ground --- I keep battery tenders on most of the time.
The good (brighter lights ) easy to get a new battery---- easy to change back if you want--- easy on older wireing ( 12 volts is 1/2 the amps ) cell phone charger --- modern radio ( you can hid it )

[skidmarks]

The only con, and ive had it happen a couple times. If you keep the 6v starter, putting 12v to it can break the bendix spring.
A big plus is 12v batteries are easy to get and tend to last longer and easier to jump start.

[johndee138]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Not to mention the aftermarket backup cameras, cigar lighter driven accessories, like a fan for the driver, phone charger, etc, etc.
I LOVE the cigar lighter driven rear view camera for my car, it is priceless and only cost $40 on amazon.
I also rigged up a 12v boat bilge pump fan to an intercooler submerged in an ice chest for the hot summer days. Poor mans air conditioning!
I did swap my starter for a 12v one, the 6v hit so hard on 12v that I was afraid it would break in the most inopportune time, like when the wife and I were off somewhere inconvenient

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Tell your friend to google the keywords pros and cons to upgrade from 6 volt to 12volt system

8^) Jack E/NJ

I agree and it will keep him busy a while !

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by skidmarks

The only con, and ive had it happen a couple times. If you keep the 6v starter, putting 12v to it can break the bendix spring.
A big plus is 12v batteries are easy to get and tend to last longer and easier to jump start.

And what accounts for all the bendix springs that have broken while the starter was being powered with 6 volts?

[36fordguy]

easier to change to LED bulbs Better lighting and less power 36fordguy

[skidmarks]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

And what accounts for all the bendix springs that have broken while the starter was being powered with 6 volts?

Age

[Jack E/NJ]

51 MERC-CT>>>what accounts for all the bendix springs that have broken while the starter was being powered with 6 volts?>>>


skidmarks>>>Age>>>


My starter spent the first 21 years of its life cranking its 21-studder on 6v. Then another 3 years on 12v. Then it rested 48 years; it was incompatible with a SBC. For the last 10 years it's been cranking its 21-studder again on 12v. So if my calculations are correct, proof-positive that its bendix has lasted 8 years longer on 6v than 12v so far. 8^) Jack E/NJ

[Strick]

sent you a PM about your friend's 53 Mercury

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

And what accounts for all the bendix springs that have broken while the starter was being powered with 6 volts?

Murphy's general laws

• Nothing is as easy as it looks.
• Everything takes longer than you think.
• Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
• If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong. Corollary: If there is a worse time for something to go wrong, it will happen then.
• If anything simply cannot go wrong, it will anyway.
• If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which a procedure can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop.
• Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.
• If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
• Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.
• Mother nature is a bitch.
• It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
• Whenever you set out to do something, something else must be done first.
• The Light at the end of the tunnel is only the light of an oncoming train.

[Zeke3]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

Murphy's general laws

• Nothing is as easy as it looks.
• Everything takes longer than you think.
• Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
• If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong. Corollary: If there is a worse time for something to go wrong, it will happen then.
• If anything simply cannot go wrong, it will anyway.
• If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which a procedure can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop.
• Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.
• If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
• Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.
• Mother nature is a bitch.
• It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
• Whenever you set out to do something, something else must be done first.
• The Light at the end of the tunnel is only the light of an oncoming train.

And, by many reports, Murphy was an optimist.

[Epper1]

Had no problems with 6 volt starters changed to 12 volts

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Epper1

Had no problems with 6 volt starters changed to 12 volts

I changed 2 since June and both bendix springs broke.

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone. One consideration would be who is gonna help you when you have to do troubleshooting? The farther a vehicle is from stock the more variables are inserted, I feel.

[Robz51]

My 52 merc has been 12 volts for 26 years. The engine has been 12 volts for 32 years and I've never laid a hand on the starter. Just my experience. Make sure you yse the correct resistors(regulator) for the gauges. I know there are merits to 6 volts and they can be reliable. Guess it's a personal choice.

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

[estout81]

No difference in troubleshooting. Just different numbers on the meter.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by estout81

No difference in troubleshooting. Just different numbers on the meter.

And to non-early Ford people the positive ground can be a challenge.