| BOB HYSER | -- 04-03-2012 @ 2:10 PM |
|
I am thinking very serious about converting my 39 Ford from 6 volt positive ground to 12 volt negative ground. Is this a good thing to do? Will it help in the starting of the engine? I have a ton of questions but one at a time. Thanking you all in advance. Bob Hyser Florida
|
|
| supereal | -- 04-03-2012 @ 4:01 PM |
|
In general terms, converting is seldom worth the cost. There is a lot involved beside simply swapping batteries. Often it is done because of slow cranking and/or starting. A better idea is to get the original system up to par before you embark on the change. There have been lots of attempts to change starting, etc, over the years, such as an eight volt battery. I have the six volt system in my '47, and with the Optima battery, it started on the first turn after over six months of storage. Twelve volts will not compensate for poor condition of the engine or wiring.
|
|
| Stroker | -- 04-03-2012 @ 4:06 PM |
|
Bob: Not sure why you posted twice. You can log-on and edit the duplicate identical question to eliminate the redundancy. Pros: 1. If you are running a late-model OHV motor (horrors!), obviously a neg ground 12V system will greatly simplify things, but you will prolly end up installing new instrumentation. 2. If you are addicted to lots-o-electronic goodies (GPS, on-board video, contemporary multi-disc CD changers,CB radidios, hands-off cel-U-lar phones, etc), then it might be a good trade-off. Cons: 1. 6V pos ground system is more than adequate, so if you are having issues with 6V, you will have simply higher voltage "issues" with 12V. 2. If you have any original equipment; i.e.: heater, radio, lights, horn etc. you will have to install very "wasteful" resistors to allow these vintage items to survive. 3. If you are still running a flathead, then you have ignition coil issues, and instrument issues. All in all, unless I was building a "Street Rod", I would never consider the change.
|
|
| BOB HYSER | -- 04-04-2012 @ 6:25 AM |
|
Thank you for your information. I really do not want to change so I should look to see if all is up to specs. Is there someplace to go to read on how to say check to see if the generator is working properly, the voltage regulator etc.? I know the compression is about 70 and I heared it should be 85 lbs. BEST REGARDS BOB HYSER
|
|
| BOB HYSER | -- 04-04-2012 @ 6:29 AM |
|
I am not sure how it got posted twice, and I tried to remove went to edit but got lost as to what to do next, sorry. Thankss for your information I think I will look into staying with 6 volt and look into the battery you sugggested. BEST REGARDS BOB HYSER
|
|
| TomO | -- 04-04-2012 @ 7:26 AM |
|
A quick test of the charging system is to use a voltmeter to measure the voltage at the BATT terminal of the voltage regulator or across the battery if you have the 3 brush generator. It should read 7.2 volts with the engine running at 1,000 RPM. Your dash BATT gauge is a voltage meter and it should be at the left side of the N mark with a fully charged battery. If you are having problems with the engine not turning over fast enough to start, your problem is likely the wrong battery cables or a weak battery. A poor ground connection can also cause this. Please post your symptoms and we can give you a better set of instructions to isolate your problem. You are not limited to one question at a time. Sometimes multiple symptoms can lead to a common solution. In other cases, it may be better to diagnose them one at a time. Tom
|
|
| BOB HYSER | -- 04-04-2012 @ 8:37 AM |
|
I am not sure how it got posted twice, and I tried to remove went to edit but got lost as to what to do next, sorry. Thankss for your information I think I will look into staying with 6 volt and look into the battery you sugggested. BEST REGARDS BOB HYSER
|
|
| 51f1 | -- 04-04-2012 @ 10:52 AM |
|
No. Do not convert. If you have problems with your 6-volt system, locate and fix the problems. I have a 6-volt system that works great and never fails me. All of the wiring is new, all of the grounds are good, the generator and voltage regulator are in good shape, and the the battery cables are the correct size. Richard
|
|
| EFV-8 Club Forum : | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum |
| Topic: | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=17&Topic=4521 |