6 volt system. Was 6 volt vs 12 volt

[jcmartin@xxxxxxxxx]

    I have retained the 6V system on my 39
Custom Imperial C24 with success.  The plus side of keeping the system
original is
the electrical equipment on the car. Radio, lights etc. At one time I
had a 12V inverter installed to operate a 12V negative ground radio.

     I have upgraded the charging system
by installing a 6V alternator which eliminated the 32 amp generator and
bypasses the normal regulator. On two occasions, I have been able to
locate welding cable at a discounted price. (Found it laying in the
middle of the street :). I use the cable for my battery cables & have
enough to put a spare battery in the trunk if desired.

     With an ign. system up to specs. a warm start is no problem.  When
the car has been idle for a time, I use an electric fuel pump briefly.
pump the accelerator twice, fire up & turn the elec pump off.

     The only problem I have had is, the starter solenoid which can cost
as much
or more than the starter & is slowly becoming extinct.

That's All Folks
Jim

---

• From: "Currell Pattie" <currellpattie@xxxxxxxxxxx>
• Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 00:12:53 -0400

You're right that a properly set up 6 volt car, with timing set to spec, 
decent starter, good compression, etc. should encounter few starting 
problems.

However, some older cars, such as the 37-48 Cadillac, have a flathead V-8 
for power. All of this cast iron works as a giant heat sink, and hot starts 
can prove difficult beause of vapor locks (An electric fuel pump used as a 
primer can help here, however).

Only pre-1951 Imperials have big cast straight 8 flathead engines, so most 6 
Volt Imperial owners here (1951 through 1953, or is it '54) will not have 
the problem. (The limos in '53 had 12 volts, as had been pointed out). Just 
out of curiosity, does anyone out there that has a straight 8 have any 
more-than-occasional starting problems, especially when hot?

Currell


>From: <jdporter@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: IML: 6 volt vs 12 volt
>Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 14:15:25 -0500
>
>just remember, in a 6 volt system, any load device, ie. starter, lights, 
>radio, etc. will require approx. twice the current of a 12 volt system. 
>therefore, the wire size, good connections including grounds become more 
>important.
>                                                            mo jo
>   -----Original Message-----
>   From: TheCarNutz@xxxxxxx <TheCarNutz@xxxxxxx>
>   To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>   Date: Thursday, August 22, 2002 1:20 PM
>   Subject: Re: IML: 6 volt vs 12 volt
>
>
>   This subject has been brought up many times not only on this list but 
>others as well.
>   Probably in more cases than not is the fact that it is psychological.  
>Many people think that when they hear a 6 volt car in the process of 
>starting, that it is turning over too slow and probably isn't going to 
>start.  The fact is, it isn't going to sound like a 4 cylinder 12 volt rice 
>burner or any other 12 volt car in the process of starting.  Think about 
>it; with a couple of exceptions including the 53 Crown Imperial, all 
>American cars were 6 volt up until 1956!  There was no alternative and 
>everyone got along just fine.  And nowadays, unless you have a very tired 
>motor, poor grounding, or other wiring problem the 6 volt system will start 
>your car just fine, and run an air conditioner as well.  The negative of 
>course, is if you want to install 12 volt accessories like sound systems, 
>etc.  I have owned many 6 volt cars over many years, and have never had to 
>convert it to 12 volt.  Again, I believe it is simply a mind set over the 
>way it sounds when starting.
>                                                                Bill B.




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