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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

12v Conversion Question

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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 11:56 AM
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12v Conversion Question

My 51 Mercury M1 was converted to 12v when I purchased it, but there were a number of things that weren’t working so I have been working my way through the wiring and sorting them out one by one. This forum has been incredibly helpful as a guide as I work my way through previous threads, thank you all so much! I am still running a Gen which I expect is 12v and all my lights have been converted, dash gauges have voltage reducers installed BUT I am confused by two things which your previous discussions have prompted me to ask advice. My voltage regulator appears to be 7v ... can this be so? (See first photo) AND I have another device bolted to the firewall which seems to feed the coil, so am wondering if that is a voltage reducer of some sort, and if so do I perhaps have a 6v coil? (See second photo). Thanks for any help.


 
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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 12:25 PM
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The second picture should be a ballast resistor to drop voltage to your coil.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 12:29 PM
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I'd bet that the PO put a new reproduction Label on a 12 volt regulator for looks. The resistor on the firewall is to drop voltage to the points after startup to prevent burning up the points.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 02:39 PM
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Thanks Rich ... would I be able to tell if I took the cover off the regulator?
 
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Old Dec 18, 2020 | 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Kempie
Thanks Rich ... would I be able to tell if I took the cover off the regulator?

There is usually a stamp somewhere on the regulator. It may be on the back side. I would look for that stamp inside or on the back.

If it was running well before, it probably is 12 volt.
 
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