Change to 12 volt negative ground

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ButchSr

Junior Member
For several reasons i want to change electrical system in my 1935 Ford Coupe to 12 volt i don`t know where to start can anyone help
 
Start with a the Generator, you can "convert" the original to 12 V 30A. with a 12V relay
Or buy a new Alternator that looks similar to an original.

Then you have to change the Coil. If you have an original distributor, there is an adapter you can buy so you can mount a separate 12V ignition coil.

Then there is the lamp's that need to be 12Volt.
If you use the original amp meter, you need to switch the cables positions, so it shows charging and undercharging right
 
And, there are 12 equivalents for all bulb types in your car. The horn(s) will probably still work but be a bit screechy.
 
ButchSr said:
For several reasons i want to change electrical system in my 1935 Ford Coupe to 12 volt...
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Hi Butch, Welcome to the FordBarn Forums... I think you'll find some good info here and I'd like to get educated along with you.

I've been pondering the same change on my '35 and I'm really interested in learning what are some of the several reasons motivating you?
 
If your wiring is still original I'd just rip it out and put a new 12v universal harness in the car. Speedway has them for about $150.
 
That six volt starter will work, but I snapped a couple of Bendix springs during the 13 years I ran one on 12 volts. Chap
 
Automotive Stud said:
If your wiring is still original I'd just rip it out and put a new 12v universal harness in the car. Speedway has them for about $150.
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If originality is of any concern to you at all, I would think twice about this solution. As a matter of fact, unless it is a full on "Hot Rod", I would carefully re-consider my original decision.
 
I have been involved in a fender bender apparently young drivers don`t under stand hand signals so i want to install turn signals,electronic ignition found out you are so limited with 6 volt
 
There are 6v turn signal units available. Might consider a third brake light as well. There are a lot of modern accessories that work better with 12v neg ground.
 
Turn signals work at 6v...points ignition may need a light tuneup each spring but seldom fail in a catastrophic way...
If your 6v system is fine just upgrade with turnsignals and be back on the road again...
 
tubman said:
If originality is of any concern to you at all, I would think twice about this solution. As a matter of fact, unless it is a full on "Hot Rod", I would carefully re-consider my original decision.
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I agree -Optima 6 volt, Decent generator or alternator if you are not a purist, Good cables and Good grounds and there is no need for anything other than 6V-The only benefit I can see with 12V is if you blow a bulb on tour you can buy one easily at any shop. However for me its easier (and cheaper) just to carry a couple of spare 6V bulbs -which I have never used ! I have turn signals on mine as well as an AM /FM radio all running well on 6V -Karl
 
Plus, I make a device that alows you to run any 12 volt negative ground commonly available tachometer of a 6 volt positive ground vehicle. i am also running a device that alllows just about any 12 volt negative ground accessory to be run on 6 volts positive ground. I have a prototype that allows a GPS, Bluetooth for my cell phone, a backup camera, and a CD player to run in my '51 as we speak.
 
I have run my restored 1933 roadster on 12 volt for over 40 years.
same original coil - starter & generator. the generator will charge (just adjust 3rd brush to wanted amp charge ) I use an additional ( common 12 volt ign resistor ) for ign
change bulbs to 12 volt . horns work better . switch wires on am meter . I use a small 12 volt battery in a battery box I make ( also sell ) that makes the battery look like a 33 battery. My lights are brighter --- my car starts faster all in all best of both worlds.
 
There is a reason Detroit and other car manufacturers switched to 12 volt many years ago. I switched my '48 30 years ago and never looked back. Wouldn't even consider 6 volts.
 
4t8v8 said:
There is a reason Detroit and other car manufacturers switched to 12 volt many years ago. I switched my '48 30 years ago and never looked back. Wouldn't even consider 6 volts.
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Yes there is : high compression, large displacement OH V8 engines. They did try to stick with 6 volts for quite a while before they decided they had to change (e.g. Oldsmobile through 1951). Smaller gauge (and therefore cheaper) wiring also had something to do with it.
 
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