The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Covert to 12v or not toconvert? That is the ?.

I have a 49 & 55 1st series P/u's and would like to read your opinions (and suggestions) on the advantages/dis-advantages of converting to 12volt or staying at 6volt. I am wanting to keep the vehicals as original as possible. Both are running and in pretty fair shape.

Thanks for your inputs, Joe

Hey Joe, Welcome aboard-you'll love this site. One of your best bets is going to be to run a search on this site and view past threads on converting, it's been discussed time and time again, and some of these grumpy old guys prefer to only share the wisdom once... :p

I did the same, and made my decision based off a bunch of info I wound up reading. I personally went 12 volt with an internally regulated alternator, it was an easy choice. Takes you out of the dark ages... bright headlights, happy starter, ect. Depends how crazy stock you want to keep it.

One thing I've heard of is taking out the generator, and having the inside rewound into 12 volt, keeps the complete stock look, but with all the advantages of the higher voltages. There's a ton of info on this site, have fun and keep us all in tune to how things go! Dan

It depends on what your goal is. If you want to keep the truck original for show purposes, then you must stay with the 6 volt system. If you want to keep it looking original, but you want to use the truck (for work or pleasure), then I highly recommend that you convert to 12 volts. It's fairly easy to do, and the benefits are numerous.

I'll put another check mark behind the 12v - the only way to stay 6v and have a dependable driver is to turf the generator in favor of a 6v alternator, which takes care of all the 6v problems, but don't look original - 12v is better tho', and you can stick w/ a generator [readily available w/ correct regulator] to keep the original look if ya want - all ya gotta do is change all the bulbs over and get the appropriate voltage reducers for the gauges and any 6v accessories ya have - 6v starter loves the 12v

Bill

Squeeze,
I am for 12 too, but I suspect there may be a possible problem with the starter. I have a 55.1 that is 12 volt. It had a 6 volt starter when I first got it. I had a problem with the starter not disengaging when the engine started. I replaced the solenoid thinking this would cure it. Well it didn't. I remembered the old solenoid had some burnt spots like spot welds on the copper contact washer inside. I heard that laying on the 6 volt horn with 12 volt juice. So I suspected the same can happen to a solenoid. I put on a 12 volt starter. So far so good. - Scott

I would stay with 6V. I dont see where switching to 12 V makes it any more dependable. These vehicals are very dependable as they are, when everything works properly

Scott - that not disengaging problem is the "snout" part - the drive needs replacing - same for those that kick out too soon, B4 the engine starts [like the one I got in my frankentruck right now] - it's pretty accepted by auto elec people that the 6v starter is fine on 12v - just don't use it to get back in the garage when it won't start!

Bill

If everything is working fine, why not stick with 6v? My 6v '54 starts as easily as my 12v '54.

Tim

If you are worried about starting like i was put a 8v battery in and she will fire like a champ.

I kept mine 6 volt, no problems

You wanted originality, you stay with the 6V. My '49 did fine starting with the 6V. She's my daily driver now so I'm at 12V w/alternator, brighter lights, ability to add tunes. When I converted over from gen-alt I taped and tucked the wires so that it could be converted back.

I agree with Cosmo 100%. You can't shine like this with 6volts

http://community.webshots.com/photo/102029454/103229525RjagxD

The way I read the original question is "I am wanting to keep the vehicals as original as possible. "

Seems pretty clear to me what Idahoe Joe is interested in. Some answers are helpful; however, some answers are interesting but are not directed to the question (I know the answer to this observation: "so what")..

6v works just fine if you are not adding a lot of accessories to your truck. Make sure your positive and negative cables from your battery and all your grounding cables are the correct size for 6v and you should have few problems. We can talk about the various problems when and if they happen.

If you want more lights, more powerful lights, air conditioning, electric wipers, power seats, power windows, electric door locks, power antenna, 500w stereo system, ground-effect neon, etc, etc, etc, then go to 12v, get a powerful alternator ,and enjoy your ride. SWitching to 12v also masks marginal grounding and incorrect cables.

Folks, do not ask me where to get the power antenna, I use a hidden antenna in my 12v truck.

Curmudgeon

I'd like to thank you all for the inputs and info. You responses and friendlyness has been SUPER.

I think I'll stick with the 6volt on both rigs and make the determination when the time arrises.

Thanks again and keep the info flowing so as to see more of these wonderful machines going.

Hey, I just figured out who TSP Curmudgeon is. No wonder he is so opiniated...

Welcome back.

If Idahoe joe was really serious about keeping the trucks original, I don't think he would have opened up such a question especially regarding the issue of 6 vs 12 volts, for it would only open the doors for a variety of opinions.

He asked questions, he got answers.

That's what we're here for.....