Stepdown 12 V conversion

ivanz62
ivanz62 Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Does anyone have a "cookbook" recipe for changes when converting to 12V? What about gas gauge and temp gauge? Heater fan and clock winder OK at 12V?

Overdrive and relay for same? Convertible/Window Pump?



Thanks,

Ivan

Comments

  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Ivan, there is such a "recipe" on Ken Kates Stepdown restoration website "http//:hudsonrestoration1948-54.com"
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Ivan-



    Park Waldrop literally wrote the "book" on 12V conversions.



    Go here:'



    http://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/STEPDOWNRESTORATIONAIDS.html#ELECTRICAL_SYSTEMS



    Scroll down to nearly the bottom of that page (it's a long page) and look under 12V conversions. It also includes additions for convertibles. I used this guide (along with a few phone calls to Park) when I converted our '52 Sedan. I'll be doing the identical conversion on the '52 Hornet convertible.
  • drdoug
    drdoug Senior Contributor
    The only real issue is the top motor. 12V is real hard on the pump housing and alot of times causes it to break. I haven't tried to have one rewound yet.
  • ivanz62
    ivanz62 Expert Adviser
    Thanks guys. I've bought a '50 Commodore CV and am going to do the change.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Ivan, I'm e-mailing you the latest edition of my tech notes on 12v conversion. I've been advised that a couple of sources for the needed resistors aren't valid any more, but you'll get the general idea. It includes contact info on a shop in TX that rewinds field coils. They did my top motor and starter. I've been running this conversion for five years now, with no problems.
  • bartibog1
    bartibog1 Expert Adviser
    am in the process of converting to 12 volt and purchased a 12 volt solenoid that came of a 60ish ford transmission which fit same as the 6 volt hudson . takes a big resistor to operate the 6 volt one. got it on e bay

    steve
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Park-



    Would you e-mail me a copy, as well, please?



    Clutchguy-



    I've seen a starter housing break that had been re-wound to 12V, but only once. 12V really kicks the starter pretty hard. Haven't had any trouble with mine, yet.



    Ivan-



    Please post pics of your new "find" or e-mail me. Love to see it!
  • drdoug
    drdoug Senior Contributor
    Clutchguy-



    I've seen a starter housing break that had been re-wound to 12V, but only once. 12V really kicks the starter pretty hard. Haven't had any trouble with mine, yet.





    Russell, I have seen countless 6V starters with the Noise broken to bits. Most all of them were 6volt starters on 12Volts:eek:.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    bartibog1, you found the ideal solution for the overdrive solenoid. Another one is to use the '48-'49 solenoid, which has separate connections for the pull-in and the hold-in coils. For the pull-in coil, just use 16 ga. wire from the OD relay, which will have enough resistance to protect that coil, then use the appropriate resistor to protect the hold-in coil. You can mount the resistor on or near the solenoid, taking power from the pull-in coil terminal and feeding it through the resistor to the hold-in coil.
  • ivanz62
    ivanz62 Expert Adviser
    This is the one waiting for 12 volts.
  • ivanz62
    ivanz62 Expert Adviser
    Trying for a better image size. Its a 50 C 6 with 56 Hornet engine, dual range hydro, Hudson power steering, and power disc brakes. Pictured with Coker wide whites which I gave away after blowing out the right rear after only thirty miles. Walt Mordenti told me they were junk some years ago and he was dead right. I learned Bob simon who used to own the car had one blow not five miles from where I did! Maybe that's why there were two spares--I still had to borrow a jack from Bill Albright to get home on a set of WalMart black walls by Uniroyal.



    Ivan
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Ivan-



    It's gorgeous, even in a small pic. What type of tires do you run now?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    ivanz62 wrote:
    Does anyone have a "cookbook" recipe for changes when converting to 12V? What about gas gauge and temp gauge? Heater fan and clock winder OK at 12V?

    Overdrive and relay for same? Convertible/Window Pump?



    Thanks,

    Ivan
    Ivan, don't fool around with the Hudson starter. Remember you gave me the number of a high torque gear reduction starter from an early Ford and I converted it to fit my 53 Hornet. If you want I can come over, remove the starter and you can make a copy of my work. Starts on the first turn every time and no headaches. I leave June 21, Sunday to start our cross country trip, so it will have to be sometimes in Aug. Walt.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    ivanz62 wrote:
    Trying for a better image size. Its a 50 C 6 with 56 Hornet engine, dual range hydro, Hudson power steering, and power disc brakes. Pictured with Coker wide whites which I gave away after blowing out the right rear after only thirty miles. Walt Mordenti told me they were junk some years ago and he was dead right. I learned Bob simon who used to own the car had one blow not five miles from where I did! Maybe that's why there were two spares--I still had to borrow a jack from Bill Albright to get home on a set of WalMart black walls by Uniroyal.



    Ivan
    I'd like to know more about the COKER TIRE problem. Were these old tires ? Are they junk when new ? No warranty ? How about you other guys useing them, do you take LOOONG trips on them at high speeds ?--BUD
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    37 Terraplane#2 wrote:
    I'd like to know more about the COKER TIRE problem. Were these old tires ? Are they junk when new ? No warranty ? How about you other guys useing them, do you take LOOONG trips on them at high speeds ?--BUD
    My Cokers were brand new and started my trip to Florida and got as far Orlando and all 4 tires lost the caps. Good thing it happened right were there was a goodyear tire store, drove in and they installed 4 they had in stock and drove those tires 70,000 miles before they were replaced. I replaced them with tires were Ivan got his and now have 40,000 on them and they still look new. Walt.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Just curious what the costs are for a 12 v conversion. Does anyone have any ballpark estimates on what it might cost (to dso yourself or have it done)? Appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
  • 464Saloon
    464Saloon Senior Contributor
    I have been running 12v for years on my 55 Ford F-100 and my Hornet and never did anything to the OD solenoids.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    464Saloon wrote:
    I have been running 12v for years on my 55 Ford F-100 and my Hornet and never did anything to the OD solenoids.



    And it probably won't, so long as you don't crank on it very long. Quick-starting 12V motors work o.k. with 6V starters.
  • 464Saloon
    464Saloon Senior Contributor
    Russell, I think you misunderstood. It's the Overdrive solenoids that I didn't do anything to.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    464Saloon wrote:
    Russell, I think you misunderstood. It's the Overdrive solenoids that I didn't do anything to.



    You're right. Beg your pardon . . . fingers jumping to conclusions, again. :)
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