Converting 6 volt to 12 volt, coil question.

2002p51

2002p51

Junior Member
I'm converting our '47 Mercury to 12 volt negative ground. Can I still use the original 6 volt coil with a ballast resistor, or do I need a new coil?

Can I use a generic canister type coil.
 
I would use a new generic canaster type 12 V Coil. Be sure if the coil you buy needs an external ballast resistor or not. Some do, and if so, buy the ballast resistor that goes with that coil.

If you are looking to keep things looking original, I believe Skip in Flordia can convert your original coil to 12 Volts.

Chris
 
CWPASADENA said:
If you are looking to keep things looking original, I believe Skip in Flordia can convert your original coil to 12 Volts.

Chris
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Looking in my Dennis Carpenter catalog I see that he also has a 12 volt coil that looks like the original 6 volt one.
 
2002p51 said:
Mostly because of lights that are too dim to be safe in modern traffic. The brake lights are not visible at all in daylight.
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A good lens cleaning and polishing will go a long way toward brightening the lights. The lens get oxidized and hazy over time. Also check the CP rating on the bulbs that are in there. Sometimes you can find higher CP rated bulbs that will also bighten them up. Clean up all the connections and grounds to make sure you get full voltage and current to the lights.
 
Dave72dt said:
A good lens cleaning and polishing will go a long way toward brightening the lights. The lens get oxidized and hazy over time. Also check the CP rating on the bulbs that are in there. Sometimes you can find higher CP rated bulbs that will also bighten them up. Clean up all the connections and grounds to make sure you get full voltage and current to the lights.
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Been there, done all that.
 
Mike51Merc said:
A properly functioning 6 volt system shouldn't have dim bulbs.
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I AGREE,

I have 6 Volt systems in 6 of my cars and they are all just fine BUT every thing MUST be in good condition including the charging system. All the connections must be clean, dry and tight, and you have to have GOOD GROUNDS that have GOOD CONNECTIONS.

Also, check the adjustment of the voltage regulator. It should be set at 7.0-7.2 volts when the battery is fully charged. A properly adjusted voltage regulator will often time make a big difference. I find even new voltage regulators are not always correctly adjusted.

If you have not already done so, I would be sure your 6 Volt System is as good as it can be before going to the expense of converting to 12 Volts.

Just my opinion,

Chris
 
Thanks for the advice on optimizing a 6 volt system but my original question about the coil was because the conversion is already well underway.

6 volt systems could'nt have been all that great if the entire auto industry moved to 12 volts. And since this car has 60 years worth of patchwork wiring repairs, brittle wire, and just plain junk components, it seemed easier to tear it all out and start with all new wiring and that's what's happening.
 
My 6 volt system works good..Bright lights and all..But,I can see why having a 12 volt neg ground system is good to have..I was out with my 34' roadster during the day,accidentally left the lights on for several hours!..Luckily,the car started right up..But if it didn't,how would I have jump started it? Call a tow truck..
 
34s4ever said:
My 6 volt system works good..Bright lights and all..But,I can see why having a 12 volt neg ground system is good to have..I was out with my 34' roadster during the day,accidentally left the lights on for several hours!..Luckily,the car started right up..But if it didn't,how would I have jump started it? Call a tow truck..
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You can jump a 6V with a 12V car. Don't turn any lights on and "blip" the starter just enough to spin the engine.
 
Mike51Merc said:
You can jump a 6V with a 12V car. Don't turn any lights on and "blip" the starter just enough to spin the engine.
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But you can't jump a positive ground car with a negative ground one. And the whole rest of the world is negative ground! :)
 
You can jump a pos ground vehicle with a neg ground vehicle. Pos to pos neg to neg and boost it. Best to not have the boost vehicle running just use battery.
 
IMHO it is much easier to install a new reproduction wiring harness and stay at 6 volts than rewiring and converting to 12 volts.

A 6 volt wiring harness will work with 12 volts also.

If you are expecting the 12 volt changeover to fix all of your problems, you will probably be disappointed.
 
2002p51 said:
But you can't jump a positive ground car with a negative ground one. And the whole rest of the world is negative ground! :)
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Geee!!!! :confused:

I am sorry I did not know sooner, I have been doing that for more then 50 years and all this time, I did not know it wouldn't work. :rolleyes:

Chris
 
TomO said:
IMHO it is much easier to install a new reproduction wiring harness and stay at 6 volts...
I installed a wiring harness in my '47 and found it to be a very unpleasant job. With the old crispy insulation, it was not optional however. The lights seem brighter not as yellow. Sure would be nice to have an FM radio. Good luck: Fred A
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34s4ever said:
My 6 volt system works good..Bright lights and all..But,I can see why having a 12 volt neg ground system is good to have..I was out with my 34' roadster during the day,accidentally left the lights on for several hours!..Luckily,the car started right up..But if it didn't,how would I have jump started it? Call a tow truck..
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Or you could give the crank a whirl it will start the car without a jump. Ive done it a few times to my 36. ken ct.:):):)
 
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