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| | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 | ok guys
I have the option of converting to 12volts via changing alternator, 12 volt battery and some light bulbs/switching bulbs etc. or just get a 6volt alternator from Fifth Avenue Internet Garage and leave the original lights etc. Soooooo what should a guy do?
Owner of a long awaited 1951 Chevy 3100 Pickup
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
Do you have a working 6v generator?
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 | Do you have enough accessories to need the extra amperage of an alternator? About the only vehicles to use the alternators originally were police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks, etc. There's absolutely nothing wrong with running a 6V generator as long as it's set up with a properly-adjusted regulator and clean, tight connections.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 | I do have a 6 volt generator. The issue i have is the lights are not every bright and its difficult to start once the engine is warmed up.
I don't have any accessories, no radios etc.
I was wanting to convert to 12volt mainly for the brighter lights and better starting. From what i read about the 6 volt alternators from Fifth Avenue Internet Garage is that their alternators keep charging at low RPM's therefore i should not have problems running brighter lights and shouldn't have trouble starting.
Alternator is $210, switching to 12volt they say is about $150 plus a battery.
Owner of a long awaited 1951 Chevy 3100 Pickup
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | The issue i have is the lights are not every bright and its difficult to start once the engine is warmed up.You have other issues to deal with, even if you need (or want ) a 6v alternator. Check out this thread. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 | I agree with Tim. Even if you spend the extra cash on a 6V alternator, you won't solve the problem, and the only reason converting to 12 Volts makes a difference is that there's twice the voltage to push the current through loose, dirty connections. Spend a little time with a low-reading voltmeter finding the voltage drop points in the circuit instead of throwing money at the problem.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 12 | Thank you guys. Looks like i'll have a good weekend project for next weekend.
Owner of a long awaited 1951 Chevy 3100 Pickup
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 835 | Noonie,
You also might want to change out your headlight bulbs.They get dimmer with time. Also, the new ones are Halogen. Wagner H6006.
Every six or ten years or so I go through/clean/tighten all the major connections on my '51. Works great, no complaints.
Kurt | | |
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