6v alt.
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6v alt.
If I replace the 6v gen. with a 6v alt., are there other changes needed to keep everything original? '36 FH, 85 HP. That would give me brighter lites at idle and keep the batt. charged, right?~Tks
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From: Virginia
I do not know anything about the 6v alternators and if they improve anything or not. One thing I have heard that improves an old 6 volt system is changing the battery to an 8 volt, and adjusting the old 6 volt generator regulator to charge the 8 volt battery. I have heard of people doing this and being much happier with their cranking speed and the brighter lighting.
It sounds simple enough. Buy an 8 volt battery, and get a local automotive electrical shop to adjust your regulator to charge an 8 volt battery properly.
It sounds simple enough. Buy an 8 volt battery, and get a local automotive electrical shop to adjust your regulator to charge an 8 volt battery properly.
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I don't know that you would be helping yourself any. 6 volts is 6 volts no matter where it comes from. Charging limit is around 7.3 volts in a 6 volt system. For that reason, I don't think I would tinker with going to 8 volts. 
jim d
jim d
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Originally Posted by jimdandy
I don't know that you would be helping yourself any. 6 volts is 6 volts no matter where it comes from. Charging limit is around 7.3 volts in a 6 volt system. For that reason, I don't think I would tinker with going to 8 volts. jim d
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Originally Posted by Franklin2
Just like a 12 volt alternator can be turned up to put out 120 volts,(or turned down to produce 6 volts),a generator can be turned up too. It's all in the regulator and the speed it's turning. A little tweaking in the regulator by a automotive electric shop should bring it right on up. I would guess it would need to be somewhere around 9 or 10 volts, I am not sure on that one.
6 volt systems work fine, but they must be maintained like everything else. Clean connections, pay special attention to grounds, and keep the engine in tune.
In my opinion, if you are going to increase voltage, go ahead and go 12 volts then you don't have an odd voltage to deal with. I re-wire old cars as a hobby and this is the system I use.
jim d
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upgrade
Originally Posted by jimdandy
This is true, but you are increasing voltages by 1/3. While this may not seem like much in a low voltage system, it is a lot. Devices that operate at 6 volts have built in overload, but are not really designed to operate at higher voltages for long periods of time. That is why the 6 volt system charging circuit is limited to around 7.5 volts.
6 volt systems work fine, but they must be maintained like everything else. Clean connections, pay special attention to grounds, and keep the engine in tune.
In my opinion, if you are going to increase voltage, go ahead and go 12 volts then you don't have an odd voltage to deal with. I re-wire old cars as a hobby and this is the system I use. jim d
6 volt systems work fine, but they must be maintained like everything else. Clean connections, pay special attention to grounds, and keep the engine in tune.
In my opinion, if you are going to increase voltage, go ahead and go 12 volts then you don't have an odd voltage to deal with. I re-wire old cars as a hobby and this is the system I use.
jim dIf I can get a new 12v alt. setup that works, I'd only need one or two runtz's, right? Right now I've got a vintage Firestone 6v heater that I'd like to install. Someone told me a runtz won't work for heaters, what is used?
I'd better let you go for now. Later~Dan~
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6 volt systems work fine, but they must be maintained like everything else. Clean connections, pay special attention to grounds, and keep the engine in tune.
Hey Jim; Can I pick your brain alittle? A 12v gen. will still drain the batt. on short hops, right?
Many short trips will affect exhaust and engine life more than anything else.
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6v
Originally Posted by Franklin2
I agree completely with that.
Dan, I get the impression from the above statement you are fretting and worrying over something that hasn't even happened yet. Hopefully Jim will write back and confirm again his statement above, and convince you that you do not need to pour a lot of money into some fancy 6v alternator and such to get good enough performance from your original 6v system. The heater and few accessories you are adding are not going to hurt the 6v electrical system in your truck, no matter what kind of driving you do.
Many short trips will affect exhaust and engine life more than anything else.
Dan, I get the impression from the above statement you are fretting and worrying over something that hasn't even happened yet. Hopefully Jim will write back and confirm again his statement above, and convince you that you do not need to pour a lot of money into some fancy 6v alternator and such to get good enough performance from your original 6v system. The heater and few accessories you are adding are not going to hurt the 6v electrical system in your truck, no matter what kind of driving you do.
Many short trips will affect exhaust and engine life more than anything else.
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If it were mine, I wouldn't mess with it. 10 miles is sufficient to keep the battery charged. An alternator charges at idle or near idle due to the smaller pulley. If the vehicle sits for long periods, a trickle charger would be my solution. jim d
jim d
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