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6 Volts vs 12 Volts

JW 54

JW 54

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Cypress Texas
My truck has the original 6 volt electrical system in it. I have no complaints it fires right up with plenty of starting power, charges well and all the lights work fine a little dim on the headlights but fine. My question is should I be considering a 12 volt system? I have this question because it seems most everything I read on this forum ya'll refer to the 12 volt,( so called upgraded system) in your trucks. Why have most changed to 12 volts? I'm from the old school of "If it aint broke don't fix it.
Thanks,
JW
 
JW 54 said:
My truck has the original 6 volt electrical system in it. I have no complaints it fires right up with plenty of starting power, charges well and all the lights work fine a little dim on the headlights but fine. My question is should I be considering a 12 volt system? I have this question because it seems most everything I read on this forum ya'll refer to the 12 volt,( so called upgraded system) in your trucks. Why have most changed to 12 volts? I'm from the old school of "If it aint broke don't fix it.
Thanks,
JW
Click to expand...
I felt like you and wanted my 47' to be as original as possible. I got voltage boosters for my non-original radio and a few other things. But, then I needed to go to an electric wiper, just couldn't find old vacuum parts in good shape after several tries I'd had enough. The electric wiper draws a lot of amps and no boosters could do the job. So, reluctantly I converted and am now happy I did.

Flashlight
 
12 volts is just easier. All parts needed are available everywhere. If you need a jump, everyone else is 12v. You can change over and have your gen. converted and no one knows the difference. Your horn is louder and your sarter spins much faster. All accessories you may want/ need to add are 12v.

Well worth it.
 
Have been runnin' the original 6 volt system on my '51 since 1977 with no problems.
As long as everything is in good working order & the wires are good & you have good clean grounds.... the 6 volt system is better than a 12 volt system.

All the original accessories & circuits are designed to run on 6 volts.
As soon as you hook up a 12 volt battery to your original 6 volt truck....
you will fry the following original parts:

Original radio, original heater, original horn, fog lights, spotlights,dash lights, headlights, taillights,parking lights, dome light, cigarette lighter,generator,regulator, fuel gauge & points.

Trying to use reducers to protect the original 6 volt system is a real PITA.

The only time I ever needed a jump in the last 33 years....it was because of a dead battery &
I push started to truck with ease.

Only the uninformed insist on changing virtually every electrical part to 12 volts on our Advance Design trucks.
 
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original trucks

JW

You have the great pleasure of owning an original AD truck in really good condition. Many of us here found our trucks in forests and fields and barns as old heaps. We refurbished these old trucks and along the way found it simpler to upgrade to 12 volts than to try to restore to 6 volts.

My bride advised she would support my AD truck build only if I added AC. She got 12 volts and AC and 40 Watts of FM along with that. I got electric wipers as well, and a lighter dash plug for the GPS, cell charger, etc.

I personally have nothing against 6 volt trucks, in fact I would love to have your original 54!

Jim :D:D
 
I have 6 volts in my 54 and have no complaints, and my vacuum wipers work great! The original radio and other 6 volt stuff all work fine so no reason to change, but the 55 1st series truck i'm building with my daughter will be 12 volts cus she wants some newer upgrades
 
The el. system in my truck is 12 volts and it has an newer dynamo installed.I wonder if it is possable to swap with the old Delco generator ( 1955 engine) wich i have overhauled?
I like the look of the original black generator very well .

Martinius.
 
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lights a little dim?

6 volts are all you need.... but an electronic voltage regulator (instead of the points-type) will give you brighter lights, charging at idle, and NOBODY will know! I know a local guy who 'converts' original voltage regulators to electronic. Inside your stock Delco-Remy housing! The Lucas guys love him, and he ships nationwide. And a set of Hella Halogens with replaceable bulb will give you ALL the light you need.

Mike
 
6 V not bad but 12 V are e little bit better

I'm driving an old Volvo too, this car is with 6 V system equipped. In normal driving it makes no problems. But if the electric contacts not perfect it will made problems.
I changed the electric on my truck to 12 V. The starter is always a 6 V. It starts much quick then with 12 V. I know that I couldn't run the starter to long, then it will get damaged.:mad:
But in all consequenses I think it will be better. You get all parts easier.
wolfgang
 
The Raging Debate

JW ;

(!nice truck !) there's really no reason to change to 12 volts as long as you mainatain your old system correctly .

Plus of course , when you roll up to any event , all the younger guys will be amazed and impressed thinking you must really know your stuff to keep it stock...

I don't convert but my battered old work truck came to me with a 35A Delcotron allready and it's still plugging away all these years & miles later so I left it alone , it's not broke so fix it until it is , er , I meant : so leave it alone ! yeah , that's right .

Adding some ground wires and a pair of new # 6006 seal beams will make the headlight nice & bright again , you can get the bulb in typ of headlight and then fit brighter 6 volt bulbs too .

re-painting the insides of the taillight housings gloss white (but NOT silver!) will brighten up the taillights .

I NEED the converted voltage regulator mentioned by 52WASP ! . seriously , why'd you mention it and not provide a link ? . my Lucas equipped Metropolitan Nash's gennie is fine but the ' Control Box ' overcharges

PLEASE provide contact info .
 
Sorry Nate!

I didn't have his business card in front of me at the time..... but here it is:
Wilton Auto Electric
10 Stoney Brook Drive
Wilton, NH 03086-5151
email: [email protected]

The owner's name is Bob Jeffers. Real nice guy. My Dad restored 2 MG's for him a number of years ago, and Bob has been converting regulators and ignitions for Dad ever since. And he lives 10 minutes down the road from me!
 
Electronic Voltage Regulator

I've been nmaking my own for old Japanes Motos for years now so I know and love this idea ! :) .

I can hardly wait .

THANK YOU .
 
you are VERY welcome!

Nate, it's the LEAST I can do for YOU. I have asked MANY questions on this forum. It's nice to provide and ANSWER once in awhile.
 
My 1953 is all orginial 6V system. So far I've had no complaints. Alot of people are suprised that it's still 6V. I don't plan on changing mine over as long as the orginial 216 is under the hood.
 
Driving Along.......

I was ruminating what I forgot to mention about the great debate and this is it:

6 volt applications use about twice the amperage that the very same thing running on 12 volts does so parts made for 12 volts are cheaper to make .

For what that's worth .
 
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