6V or 12V?

[dnevin]

To:dnevin,----- " No reason", Do You want a list??

Not looking for a fight by any means--and understand why folks convert. I've had a 6-volt daily driver before that didn't give me any trouble and I know others who have as well; this said, I'm very new to Studebakers and am very anxious to learn if there's anything specific about the breed.

[SN-60]

To: dnevin,---- No argument intended. But converting an 'everyday driver' from 6V to 12V for reasons of practicality, is pretty far removed from swapping out a Studebaker engine in favor of a Chevy.
Wouldn't You say? Take care

[dnevin]

The SBC thing was intended to be a joke-I hoped it would seem that way if I put the smiley face after it. Apologies if it didn't come across that way. I agree that it is far removed.

[Anne F. Goodman]

My 1949 Champion is my daily driver still 6 Volts. No problems whatso ever. I keep my terminals clean have big ole cables. Heck my parrot even imitates the Stude starting. Your car your choice .

[52-fan]

The main argument I have seen against converting to 12 volts from a 6 volt system is the large number of half finished conversions I have seen. Someone takes a fully functional 6 volt car and installs a 12 volt battery, coil, and bulbs and never gets the blower motors, wipers, radio, fuel gauge and the like converted. The car runs and drives, but are they better off?
I have done the conversion and It works fine, but I have also driven 6 volt cars with no real issues. For a person who is new to old cars, I think they will be more likely to succeed if they stay with 6 volts and get the car safe and on the road. They can change later if the need arises.
No need to get excited on either side........unless you buy someones half finished conversion.

[ralt12]

The 6v/12v discussion is present on other boards as well (like the Porsche 356 crowd). A 6v system that has been maintained well and has solid basics will continue to work well, and parts are available. But if modifications are contemplated, then the 12v systems start to look more attractive, since its a slippery slope when you start adding things. Modern radios, HID lights, etc. generally require a 12v system, and designing these from the ground up isn't hard. So my Stude is 12v, but my old 356 is 6v. Both seem happy.

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

No matter which, 6 volt or 12 volt. With an old car you're going to HAVE TO check, clean, correct connections. If everything works with 6 volt, you're money and time ahead to stay with it.
I just recently replaced my generator with a 6 v pos ground alternator.[armature...?phffffft!!?] So far I have no reason to convert. Daily driver 10,000 miles a year.
As 52-fan said getting everything converted can get troublesome. Get a good battery. I found a NAPA Commercial 650 cold crank amps at 0 F.

[Roscomacaw]

So what WAS the main reason "Detroit" went to 12 volts? More modern? Cranked better? 12V batteries were cheaper??? Nope, nope, and nope. With the increase in volts, there was a decrease in amps, and amps is what dictates wire sizes. Higher voltage - less amperage - LESS COPPER required for harnesses and cables! CHEAPER A**ed Studebaker Output.

[cove]

thanks for all the info! lots of good points here.

[SN-60]

To: Roscomacaw,------- I guess Your right....who needs a 12V electrical system? And what's with these 'Color Televisions'? Everyone knows 'Black and White' Televisions work fine!

[1962larksedan]

To: Roscomacaw,------- I guess Your right....who needs a 12V electrical system? And what's with these 'Color Televisions'? Everyone knows 'Black and White' Televisions work fine!

What's a black and white television (ducking flying objects here )?

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

There is nothing wrong with going to 12 volt.
There is also nothing wrong staying with 6 volt.
12 volts IS NOT a cure, it's just a change.
If you feel like spending the time and money to switch over or need to have 12 volt accessories [AC or sounds or ?] or just WANT to, by all means DO IT.
But to have a reliable, dependable daily driver ?
Millions of those cars went for millions of miles with fully functioning, maintained 6 volt systems. Nothing has changed there.
As I said, whether you use 6 or 12 volt you're going to need rust, grease, oil, paint free, tight connections.

Take it easy SN-60 !
No one is trying to stop anyone from changing, just bringing up the fact that some maintainence is needed either way.

[Tom Bredehoft]

My '53 Commander coupe is 6 volts, with rebuilt starter and heavy cables it starts and runs well. My '55 Land Cruiser is 12 volts, I put in modern power seats and needed the 12 volts for them. It too runs well and the original (6 volt) starter does a marvelous job of turning the engine over.

[SN-60]

To: Tom B, Yes 6V starters hold up well when hit with 12V, as long as there not engaged too long. 1955 Studebaker V-8's really needed a 12V system. They cranked slow when new on 6V because of the cubic inch increase
and higher compression. I can only imagine what the Packard V-8 powered '56 Golden Hawk would have been like to try to start if Studebaker engineers hadn't 'seen the light', and stayed with the 6V system in 1956!
Bottom line: For an 'everyday driver' a 12V system is just plain BETTER!! (And I'd rather have a color TV too!)

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

To SN-60:
The 55 in my user name is a 55 President. V8, automatic, 6 volt. Daily driver, 20,500 miles 8-2010 to 4-2012
Previous to my replacing the battery cables and cleaning the connections it cranked slow REAL SLOW.
Since then it turns over like its on 12 volts. As fast as my 56 Pres V8 auto 12 volt.
Don't know where you're getting your info about 55's but jus taint so.