6 VOLT TO 12 VOLT CONVERSION: Could someone please tell me the basics to changing from a 6 volt system to a 12 volt system. I recently purchased a 48 chevy truck which will need to be switched until I fully replace the electrical system and the drive train.
My best advice would be to check out the booklet by Randy Rundle. He operates 5th avenue auto electric and wrote the book- it's very helpful outside of the obvious stuff like change the battery, install an alternator, and change the bulbs.... Jay
I just did it with a 1951 Packard. I pulled out ALL the old wiring. DONT throw it away. You never know when you have to refer back. But I went with a 12 circuit wiring harness from Painless. Replaced headlights, taillight bulbs, new dash bulbs, new ignition switch, GM alternator with internal voltage regulator, 12v coil,...The wiring harness replaced the rest. I did use a new fuel, oil pressure, temp, and tach, which the wiring harness had wires for. All in all the conversion cost less than $500. I heartell you can have generators rebuilt for 12 volt. I reused the same starter, plugs, and wires. Good luck.
Check out Alan Horvath's site. http://alanhorvath.com/54chevy/index.php Also www.stovebolt.com is well worth signing up for. Lots of valuable tips for the AD trucks.
Check out this thread http://www.chevytalk.org/threads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB7&Number=1594038&page=1&fpart=all
Here is where I bought some of the parts I needed. http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/articles.htm Here is a link to a list of everything to convert a 54 chev car. Not the same as yours, but may keep you from overlooking something. http://chevy.tocmp.com/miscellaneous/5412volt.htm Good luck
I'd swap the generator for an alt. 12 volt battery and light bulbs. borrow your father in law's wiring book on gauge conversion
What type of GM 12V alternator should I used to make a conversion from genarator to alternator on a 1951 Packard. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks guys. SpinAuto Group
Just did this with my 48 Chevy. BUY A NEW HARNESS. Mine is disintegrating, but I'm using it for a little while. I went with a one wire alt. from one of the mail order biggies. Easy as pie.
i would use just a normal 3 wire internal regulated alternator..GM made millions of them , you could probably find a good used one. of course , you will have to make a mounting bracket for it , but that shouldn't be too hard if you have access to metal working equipment
Looking into converting my 54 Chev to 12 volt. Might buy the NCA kit so im not driving around looking for every bulb if someone doesnt have it. Do yall think it is even all that important to convert?
you can use the stock gauges...go to napa and buy a p/n IR-1 put in the pwr feed to the gauges. it has points that cycle like a flasher so the averge output is 6v. the rest is pretty simple.