I have been looking on the forums for a little help to convert my 49 pontiac to 12 volt. I think i have the general idea but i'd like to ask someone who has done it. thanx
1.Replace wire harness and fuse panel-follow instructions per 2.Replace all bulbs(12v)and socket inserts 3.Vrc (voltage reducer) for wiper motor (mts between fuse panel and pwr to switch 4.Runtz for fuel gauge(mts like vrc) 5.Vrc can also be used for heater fan or do not use high speed 6.If using points ignition be sure to have ballast resistor for distributor 7.oil and temp are mechanical on most older applications-no issues 8.Recommend gm 3 wire alternator instead of generator 9.amp gauge will be ok 10.12v battery of course Hope I didn't forget anything. Mike
Check out this link. It helped me alot. http://www.chevytalk.org/threads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB7&Number=1594038&page=1&fpart=all
If your harness is in good shape I wouldn't mess with it, it will handle 12V okay. You will need some voltage reducers to the gauges (except amp) and to the radio, wipers, heater. If the heater has more than one speed you need a VR on each speed. Like the others said, change out all the bulbs to 12V. I usually find a 12V fuse panel at the junk yard but you can also buy a new on pretty cheap. I always convert my 6V to 12 just for convenience and only change harnesses when the old one is in bad shape. I have a conversion chart somewhere and if you think you need it just PM me and I will try to dig it up.
My Jet's been converted to 12V. My dilemna is deciding between using a voltage regulator on the radio or sending it out for conversion.
beilieve it or not but there is a site http://www.6to12volt.com/and they do have various converters you could use for your radio
cool, thanx for all the info. there is nothing wrong with my wiring harness. everything works fine, the car is my daily driver i would like brighter headlights and tail lights, maybe put an electric fan to help keep the engine cool in the hot fl summer.
I'm just saying........they make 6 volt electric fans. My 54 Chevy had one. I have no idea where it came from though. I just always drove with the brights on. Nobody noticed.
I had a 12 volt coil and alt. in my "stash". The only thing I had to purchase were new battery, bulbs, a ballast resister, condensor and a step down for fuel and temp. Cost me about a $150.00 for the conversion and it was well worth it. The only extra convenience I added was an electric fuel pump.
You can probably do the conversion yourself on the original Hudson radio for your car. I believe the only issues are the 6V ********, the 6V tubes, and the 6V dial lamp(s). All of these items are still available (tubes mainly from the old 5 tube house radios). I can look into this if you like, since I do have the schematic for the original Hudson radio for my Superjet.
Believe it or not, the harness for a 6 volt system is beefier than that designed for a 12 volt. Ohms law says that lowering voltage increases amperage. If your stock harness is intact and in good enough shape, use it. Replace your 6 volt bulbs and generator and volatage regulator and as was said earlier by Old Gold. Most of your gauges are mechanical except for the fuel gauge and it only needs a voltage reducer. You can buy those from chevsofthe40's for cheap. They also have halogen bulbs for 6 volt systems. If that is your only concern about lights, these are much brighter. As far as the electric fan is concerned, I have seen 6 volt fans also, I just don't remember where.
Just a note: I did this on a 1951 Olds before I had this forum to tell me how much I *had* to change. I changed bulbs, battery, and the generator left for an alternator. The gauges for the Olds were current sensing, and worked fine on 12v. No radio. Vacuum wipers, and a ballast resistor for the heater. Clock worked very well on 12v. Dash lights were left as 6v bulbs, just turned the resistor down, a lot. Dash was always bright enough to see in the dark. And I never had the starting issues taht were rampant with the 303 on 6 volts. It started instantly. Cosmo
I bet she cranked over faster too! Just use common sense....and ask more questions if you need to, you'll be fine..
Check out Randy Rundles web-site www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com for his products for conversion to alternator or 6 to 12 volt conversion. He makes a living at it. Mart also has some neat stuff and he's here on the HAMB.
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