Upgrading the stock 6V system

[garage gnome]

Don't know if anyone is aware of this, but there are 6V single wire alternators out there. Just go on ebay and search for "6v alternator". I installed one on Ted and he loves it. Dependable power and bright lights.



And then you can also search ebay for "6V halogens". I got a set for Ted also. Talk about some bright lights!

[Ryan_M]

So I'll ask it -  what's the difference between a 6V generator and a 6V alternator? Is there a difference in the way each performs?

[Quebec Jeep]

Do you know how much current those sealed beam draw?

The alternator is negative ground, right?

[garage gnome]

Yep, negative ground. I don't know how much current the bulbs draw.

The alternator doesn't use a voltage regulator and is just one wire. It also charges at an idle after the engine is revved up to excite it.

[Bob W]

Pound for pound an alternator puts out more power than a generator. Alternators are designed to turn at a higher RPM than a generator so they should use a smaller pulley. Those GM SI alternators can be easily modified to operate with one wire and most any voltage just by changing the internal voltage regulator. Theoretically with a totally dead battery a vehicle with a generator can be push started because a generator will begin to charge without any external power. An alternator requires external power to fire up the field and begin to charge so if the battery is really dead there's no push starting.

[garage gnome]

The new lights are awesome! Just as bright as any 12v bulb I'd say.

[Mike S]

Do you know how much current those sealed beam draw?

These are probably 65 watts on high beam. That would equal 10.8 amps EACH on a 6 volt system.

[Lee]

GG, Looking at your setup, I would install a generator pulley on the alternator, My 2A was setup like that and after a short while the skinny belt would slip terribly, IMHO the wide belt is the way to go. Just say'in.

Lee

[Bob W]

If you want to keep the wide belt, and use the correct diameter pulley for an alternator, do a search for Ford Model A conversions. A couple companies make wide belt, small diameter, GM alternator pulleys.

[Gunslinger]

Mine is a single wire 12 volt alternator.� It starts putting out juice at 2500 rpm, that's on the alternator so it's about 1200 engine rpm if I recall.

Lee you are correct, the skinny belt slipped a lot, I changed to the wide belt without changing the pulley, we'll see where that gets us but it seems better so far.

[ZekeD]

Ooooooookay.......?   Why stay with the 6v system if you are going to switch to an alternator?  I can see if you are doing a correct resto and want to stay 6v and I can see going to a 12 v system with or without electronic ignition for the cranking speed, etc..   Why 6v alt?

My poor darling was "converted" to 12 by someone who can barely spell "Bubba" and I was thinking about going back to 6v just to keep it clean.  It will never be a thing of beauty, just a joy to behold for me.

You guys know lots more than I, what's your opinion?

Thanks
Zeke

[johnrb3b]

It's simply a matter of taste.
If you want to stay as original as possible and keep the 6V system it will work perfectly fine. It's just less forgiving than 12V. The wires must be BIG enough and ALL connections must be clean and solid. 6V lamps and batteries are readily available, though probably a bit more expensive.

If you want to add more modern things, like a stereo or nav system, then 12V makes things easier. Just hook 'em up.

It's your call. Do what satisfies you the most.

[garage gnome]

Surprisingly, everything I've gotten for Ted in 6V is about the same cost as for 12v. Ted was so original that I didn't want to upgrade to 12v. I wanted to see how good I could make the stock system.

[johnrb3b]

Surprisingly, everything I've gotten for Ted in 6V is about the same cost as for 12v.

That's good to hear. There must still be a good amount of sales volume to keep the price of 6V stuff from inflating out of sight.

[Jesse]

Lots of old tractors were 6v past most 12v cars, and in my experience many people run their tractor into the ground!
Heh, ground, an electrical pun.

Anyways I'm considering an alternator swap to simplify the wiring. I already have a painless wiring harness so originality is out the window by now. I was under the impression that alternators charged fairly consistently from idle on up but from what Gunslinger says that isn't true? Or do you make the swap to the correct pulley and spin the alternator faster? 

-Jesse