6 to 12 volt conversion

[Deleted User]

Okay, I'm going to start the conversion, Tired of yellow dim lights and not being able to see the dash lights. That and it is just to danged exciting wandering if the engine is going to start. So, first question, I'm going to halogen headlights, do I need a different relay or if I stay with conventional headlights will the 6 volt relay work or will it need to be changed? I'm thinking the halogen lights have a different relay with it so the question may be moot. Also, generator or alternator?

Harry

kamzack

I have 6 volt Halogen headlights on my Hudson and they're plenty bright. I also run a generator and have had no problems. I know there are a number of reasons for converting to 12v and has been discussed here in the past. If everything is properly tuned 6 volts will easily start your engine. 6 volt will crank longer than 12 volt and has more torque. my 254 starts on the second or third rev.
My 2 cents worth,
Kim

Geoff

It's an individual decision, but converting to 12 volts will still leave you with sub-standard wiring connections. My choice would be to fix the existing problem first. My three cars are on 6 volts, with q-h bulbs running through a relay, and are as good as any 12 volt. Starting has never been a problem with a good quality h.d. battery. However, you cannot run modern stereo, air con, etc with 6 volts, so over to you as to what you want. You will have to allow for radio, heater, overdrive, instruments if you convert. Good luck,
Geoff

[Deleted User]

The radio has always been a problem, since AM radio is sparse unless I learn to speak spanish, if I want to listen to anything other than my singing I need 12 volts. That and I'm pretty sure most manufacturers switched to 12 volts for a reason and it wasn't just so radios would work.
Kim, do you have halogen tail lights also? I don't have air cond. and I know I will either need to change the heater motor or step down the voltage. I appreciate your input though Geoff and Kim, I may end up staying 6 volts but I want to know the pluses and minuses of converting. When the battery is fresh the car fires right up, I have an Optima 6 volt battery in the car now.
Harry

Park_W

One reason they changed to 12v was to save on copper. The wiring can be smaller gauge with higher voltage, making for lighter weight in the starter as well as in the wire size. Airplanes use substantially greater voltage, for the same reason . . . weight.

A agree fully with the comments above, that 6v should work well if everything's in good order. Should you decide to change to 12, drop me a PM with your email address and I'll send you my tech notes on doing the conversion.

ernie28

I rewired everything on the Pacemaker and the lights and all other things work very well. New wiring has less resistance that aged wiring so would support doing this first - you may be surprised.
I have just bought a voltage doubler to install (6V -> 12V). I will use that to power TomTom and cellphone charger or anything else 12V needed in the future.

[Deleted User]

Okay, I know I could use a new wiring loom, one thing I did do was pull the dash and clean all the connections. The Tom Tom was another reason I wanted 12 volts, let me know how your voltage doubler works. In this day and age everything electronic is 12 volts. I have thought about putting a 12 volt battery in the trunk with a solar charger on the package shelf but that is any extra 50lbs I would be carrying in the trunk. Still it would give me 12 volts without changing everything so that would be a plus.
Harry

Park_W

Harry, you can buy a 6v to 12v inverter at most any auto parts store. Look up the specs of a radio or other 12v unit you're considering, and see what the power consumption is (stated in watts). Then go shop for a 6v to 12v inverter that will handle about double that wattage. Shouldn't be more than $40 or so at the max.

Re your Q on halogen taillight bulbs . . . they're available. As for headlights, the 6v halogens in my '47 are even better than the sealed beam 12v halogens in my Hornet.

[Deleted User]

Park what are the requirements for the halogen headlights, I.E, different relay? Where did you get them?

Harry

[Deleted User]

Park, if you use the inverter what do you do about the polarity on the radio?

Harry

50C8DAN

Here is the thread I did after I put in a headlight relay and halogen replaceable bulbs. like the ones in the new cars, not sealed beam but a reflector with bulbs.

http://www.classiccar.com/forum/discussion/59834/headlight-relay-halogen-bulb-pics

[Deleted User]

Thank You, I'll give it a look. One problem I'm having is the auto chokes aren't working so after the car sits over night it has to be flooded to start.

Harry

charles4d

why not run an electric fuel pump as a back up they make in 6 and 12 volt

[Deleted User]

Dan, my car already has a headlight relay, so at least I don't have to find that part. Does anyone make a halogen sealed beam headlight?

Harry

[Deleted User]

it's not a fuel feed problem, it's a cold engine problem.

Harry

Jon B

I believe the 6-volt quartz halogen "sealed beam" headlights are actually "dummies", which resemble a sealed beam but (as Dan notes above) actually have a plastic lens, with a reflector behind with a hole through which a small halogen lamp is fitted from behind. When the lamp burns out, you remove the entire "sealed beam" unit, then remove the socket and small halogen lamp from the back of the "sealed beam", replace the halogen lamp, then put the "sealed beam" back into the car.

As to 12-volt quartz halogen, I believe they are made in the traditional way, with the glass lens fused to a reflector, with a permanent quartz halogen element inside. When it burns out you pitch the whole unit and put a brand new one in.

50C8DAN

John the reflector setup uses a glass lens with the reflector in the back. They are available from various sources but Daniel Stern's site is the best I have seen to provide the various options.

Stern also responds to any questions you have within 24 hrs. Very good customer service.

[Deleted User]

Dan, do they have a website?

Harry

bartibog1

try this site
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html

Park_W

Harry, there's nothing you need to do with that 6v headlight relay to install 6v halogens. It's fine as is. As for the 6v ->12v inverter, I believe they're available for either neg ground or pos ground systems.

[Deleted User]

They are also availably to switch voltage up from 6 to 12 and reverse the polarity all at the same time . All different wattages available if you look around on the internet
Roger

kamzack

I had my local parts store order Halogen seal beams 6 volt.
Kim