6 volt vs 12 volt system

[1929 AA boy]

Has anyone converted over to a 12v system ... What would the benifit be there

[lookin-backtexas]

Hi, I converted my '30 Model A to 12 volt several years ago and love how quickly it starts now - you impress everyone at the gas station when you touch the starter and the engine fires up instantly. Also I converted to halogen headlight bulbs (hidden behind the original lenses) and it's like driving a new car at night - with the original bulbs sometimes I had to get out and actually look at my headlights to see if they were on. Now they throw a bright beam of light that really lets you see where you are going and people sometime flash their headlights at you thinking you have yours on bright. Our club frequently goes on long tours with many cars in the convoy and now I am able to utilize a modern CB (12 volt) to keep in touch with other members of the convoy. It helps to know that the last car caught a light or has some issue and pulled to the side of the road if you are the lead vehicle.

I'm glad I did it and recommend it to anyone else who wants to do it.

Fred

[pyrodork]

besides an alternator and light bulbs, is there anything else needed to make this conversion?

[spectria]

Condenser and coil...

[pyrodork]

ah, right!

[Reds34]

Battery, hehe.

Red

[Brady]

Also, an ammeter and ballast resistor for coil - PLUS a quick disconnect for the battery. Sometimes a high amp 12v battery will weld the contact strip in the starter switchbox, and it won't stop cranking. It might need a small diameter pulley on the alternator to increase the RPM. Original condenser should be OK. Use the "idiot" light in the circut for proper operation - just hide it up under the tank if you want to. I prefer a voltage gauge instead of the ammeter - or use both. It"s yours, make it do what you want - things can always be changed back if you're going for fine points judging. Good luck.

[spdway1]

A properly working 6V system is more than sufficient.

If you need to run a 12V item such as a CB, radar detector, buy an inverter for around 100 bucks.

[spectria]

Battery, hehe.

Red

lol

[spectria]

The 12 volt system has a few advantages, main one being the higher pressure (V) is gonna be more forgiving when you have poor connections (voltage drop).
If, as spdway1 is maintaining, you have a very clean 6V system, you generally don't need anything but the inverter for low current items like a CB or USB connections.
If you like to see and be seen though, you can't beat 12 volt Halogens...

[Stakebed]

A properly working 6V system is more than sufficient.

If you need to run a 12V item such as a CB, radar detector, buy an inverter for around 100 bucks.

lol a radar detector in a model A?

[elfox]

Does anyone know if there are higher wattage 6V headlamp bulbs that can be used in an 6V system? Also, what is the current rating for the original generator? I would think you could get more than enough brightness out of the original system if it is set up optimally.

[spectria]

Does anyone know if there are higher wattage 6V headlamp bulbs that can be used in an 6V system? Also, what is the current rating for the original generator? I would think you could get more than enough brightness out of the original system if it is set up optimally.

Borrowed from MAC'S Website:
http://macsautoparts.com/ford-model-a-s ... #generator

Generator Specifications

Type Two pole

Voltage Regulation Fixed control

Brushes 3 (1 adjustable)

Armature Bearings
29-Mid ’30: Ball front & rear
After Mid 30: Ball front, bushing rear

Armature Speed 1-1/2 of engine speed

Armature Length 28-April ’30: 7-9/16" - uses 1-5/32" wide pulley
after April 30: 7-21/32" - uses 7/8" wide pulley

Max. Normal Charging Rate 12 amps @ armature 1600 rpm (25mph)

Cutout Closes Approximately 9 mph

Cutout Opens Approximately 8 mph

Contact Gap .015" to .020"

Core Gap .010" (contacts closed)

Brush Spring Tension 25 to 40 ounces each

Field Coils 100 turns of #17 copper wire

Armature 14 coils with 6 turns of #17 copper wire

Commutator 28 copper segments

Field Current Draw 6.3 amps at 7 volts, generator
(motoring draws 5.75 amps at 7 volts)

Maximum Current 18 to 22 amps at 6 volts

Motoring Freely 5 amps at 6 volts

Field Test 5.2 amps at 6 volts

[1crosscut]

I'm running a stock 6 volt system. I had my reflectors silver plated as original and am running the standard bulbs for 6 volt. Lights are plenty bright and I don't think I will ever go fast enough to out drive my lights. I understand that focusing the halogen bulbs can be problematic as the filements in the bulb are not in the correct place for the reflectors.
Dave

[spdway1]

Brattons now sells the BEST reflective Headlight dish.