On my '53 Chev - I like my generator! I like my 6v! ...but I haven't been messing with this car long enough to see if I'm going to pay for my 6v fixation. I want this ride to be reliable in the stop and go traffic of NYC and not leave me stranded with the fam in tow. So... I ask the masters of old iron, pros n cons of 6V??? Thanks! Carl PS - I'm not asking for a "how to" on 12v conversion.
I held out as long as I could before swapping to 12 for the same reasons. I charged fine, idled fine, ran fine, but I couldnt handle the starting especially with winter coming. My 6volt generator took a **** 2 months ago and after pricing out a new or rebuilt generator, I realized I could swap to 12 volts for not much more dough. Remember when I said I charged fine, ran fine, idled fine? Well now I still do all that, but much better. And it cranks like a sunofa*****.
Keep everything maintained and in working order and there is no reason why your 6V system wont keep on working fine. It's easy enough to change it to a 12V system and still retain the generator, though. Either way, it's a good idea to carry a spare regulator and a few extra bulbs, fuses, etc., maybe even a spare gen just to keep the paranoia at bay... Especially with the 6V. I have generator charging system on my flathead and it's bee very dependable for years, with no failures so far, but I still carry the spares... just in case
Good grounds, good charging system, take no shortcuts, no worries. Every car we do here that was born 6V (most positive ground too) are just fine. They aren't daily drivers and that could be worse, letting em sit at times. I also don't add electric fuel pumps any longer unless there's a real issue with the OEM that can't be resolved in a manner that makes financial sense. How did anyone survive in the 30s, 40s and 50s with 6V? Just fine.
If it leaves you stranded in traffic it won't be because it is 6V. The trick is to keep everything up to par. make sure you have a good battery, generator and voltage regulator. If it the tuneup isn't up to par it isn't going to start on 6V either. Aside from that if it makes you happy to run 6V it will run just fine on 6V.
I have heard of using an 8 volt battery and adjusting your voltage regulator to charge at 8 or 9 volts. I remember it from old tractor guys. The starter turns better and the lights are a little brighter.
Now to clarify, I do drive my car EVERYDAY. It is literally the only vehicle I own. I also am going to run a electric fuel pump and I wanted a better heater and a cd player (hidden of course ) Bottom line: my car is more reliable and easier to deal with now that its 12v
As has been said, a properly done and maintained 6V system usually works fine. One thing needed is large diameter battery cables, like 0 gauge or even 00 gauge to allow the current to flow well. Make sure various connections and grounds are clean and good. If you want to add a late model CD player/radio, you might consider use of a 6 to 12 volt power inverter for it. There are also 6 volt alternators available which probably charge better than the generator. I still use 6 V in my 47 Plymouth and it's generally an OK thing. It's not a daily driver, just a fair weather fun vehicle.
As a former (and always) Brooklynite, I know what you mean and I must say you are a brave man to daily-drive a 53 Chevy there. I'm a fan of 6V but I think your potential problem may be the generator, not the amount of voltage. Generators don't put out a good charge until the sustained revs go up pretty high, which doesn't happen well in stop-and-go traffic. A 6V alternator would fix that as they charge from idle on up.
Maintain what you have until something expensive breaks then convert. If you cruise anywhere and the generator dies it would probably mean a tow home. A replacement alternator or battery is available everywhere. I lived in New England for awhile and starting a cold engine with 12 volts is much easier. 12 volt system and an electronic ignition will make a new car out of your old Chevy.
Very helpful guys - thank you! I think Mike51Merc hit my consern head-on... Also, it's not a daily driver, I use the subway for work and an OT for moving people, but the Chevy will spend a lot of time on the street which means it has to start and more when the cleaning truck comes - twice a week. I also plan to drive the hell out of it as much as I can - fam and all! I also should note that I just rebuild my gen and have a new regulator, but as Mike stated, I need some movement to get a charge going. I think I need to search for a 6v alt - do they look like the gen? It's all about the looks!
...btw - I hear you 12v guys lound and clear. I even have a 100amp rebuilt one-wire alt sitting on a shelf. the looks. THE LOOKS!!
I cried for days about the looks too, until a wise man told me hot rods show engines, customs keep theyre hoods closed, its cl***y, haha. I never open my hood otherwise people would be appalled by my pcv set up as well and newer distributor. Oh the woes of driving a 60 year old car on the street everyday!
Cl***y?!!? That's my wife's department. lol If my Chevy looked like half as good as your shoebox I wouldn't care about my gen either! lol ~ great looking car you have there!
I have several 6V autos that for the most part are fine. They start well in good weather, not so good in inclimate weather. I hear all you guys out there with the generators. Yeah they charge, but not as efficient as alternators. I agree with leaving things alone and if they become problematic, then change over. I look at starting problems in several ways. These old engines start to get old and tired, and so do the starter motors. I look at a remedy for the bad starting as putting a circuit in that keeps the ignition coil good and hot for those cold weather starts. The circuit would keep either a guaranteed 6 or 12V at the coil while starting the car. The circuit is powered by the battery, but even if the battery voltage goes down to 3V the coil will still have the 6 or 12 volts, thereby giving the ignition system more spark with less battery voltage. Working on the circuit as I write this post.
Wow - that's a pretty cool idea. Are you thinking two batteries or some kind of capacitor? I hope you post it when you're done!
The Jalopy Journal
