12 volt overdrive solenoid

JasonNC

When converting to 12 volts, I did not purchase a 12 volt solenoid, but used the original 6 volt, three post solenoid using a 50 ohm resister on the wire connecting posts 3 & 4. It seemed to work well until recently. I found a 6 volt solenoid for a 50 to 52 BW overdrive that only had posts 4 & 6. I put it on the car and now the kickdown switch does not work. According to Randy at Fifth Avenue, using 12 volts on a 6 volt solenoid will fry it within a couple of hours. Has anyone used a 6 volt solenoid with any success after converting to 12 volts. I really don't want to spend $300.00 on a 12 volt replacement if I can help it.

Richard E.

I set my car up, a '50C6 sedan, using 6v & 12v per a system used by Erwin Sanchez in Louisiana, a member of the HET Club. I kept my engine, OD, radio and some of instruments 6v and changed the lights, new AC, cooling fan, modern accessories 12v. I use two 6v Opima batteries in series. As Erwin says, "the ground doesn't care and the alternator doesn't know!" I just drove the car 8,000 miles through 23 states & one Canadian province this summer during an 8 week trip and I had no problems with the electrical system. I did have to replace my 62 year old OD solenoid but I had a NOS 6v unit in my box of spares in the trunk. However, as our OD was also used by Ford '51 - '61, you can go and buy a new 12v solenoid from Ford.

DocHornet

These BW overdrives were used in a number of cars of this vintage, including Studebaker. as mentioned above.. you could watch eBay for a 12V version as I found from a '55 Studie.

Just wondering, are you referring to the SOLENOID, or the Solenoid relay? I didn't know there were any with more than 2 terminals. If it's the relay, that can easily be replaced by any standard 4-5 pin off-the-shelf relay for about $15.

JasonNC

I am referring to the solenoid. I've got three standard pin relays that I play with.

SuperDave

The wiring for early (pre stepdowns) OD systems were very complex but as years went by, they got less complex. Some solenoids have a "pull down" contact/coil and a "hold" contact/coil. I simplified mine to use the two post single coil. Ran 12 volts through it for better than 8 years with no difficulty. Still out there..No reverse lockout and no kickdown switch. I did install a 12 volt relay. Funtions flawlessly. But I didn't try running above 5 MPH in reverse! LOL

Park_W

Dave, all the solenoids have both a pull-in and a hold-in coil. The difference in '49 and earlier is that each coil had a separate connection on the solenoid. The '50 and later ones have a set of internal contacts that disable the pull-in coil once it has pulled in. Complexity of the OD relay is what makes the earlier wiring scheme more complicated.

SuperDave

yep