Electrical: 12 volt conversion kits

[NEW STUD]

My 53 Commander has been stored for several years and the mice had a field day with my wirers. Any recommendations for vendors selling 12 volts conversion kits?

[RadioRoy]

Six volt wiring is fine for 12 volts, if the wires are OK (which yours are not, apparently). You can get a new wiring harness from Studebakers West.

I have never seen such a thing as a kit, but these folks seem to say they have one.

https://vintageautogarage.com/how-to...RoC0DwQAvD_BwE

When doing a 12 volt conversion, it's best to understand how electricity works and to know what needs to be replaced and what does not need to be replaced.

The fifth avenue garage used to publish a booklet on how to do it, but I could not find it.

http://fifthaveinternetgarage.com/tech_tips.php

Here is my advice, which I have used on my own cars.

6-12 volt conversion
Generally, you do not have to replace switches when going from 6V to 12V. You will most likely have to rewire the starter switch internally or replace it. How/if you can use the floor starter switch depends more on what your starter solenoid looks like. Six volt systems take a ground on the little stud to energize and 12 volt systems put 12 volts on one of the little studs to energize.

As a rough rule of thumb, the things that MUST be changed in converting from 6V to 12V are:
-light bulbs - all of them
-fuses
-motors
-solenoids - all of them
-relays - all of them
-battery
-Generator/alternator
-voltage regulator
-radio
-ignition coil
-regulator added to 6 Volt gauge

Things that do NOT need to be changed are:
-switches, including overdrive governor
-wires/wiring (If the old wires are good)
-distributor points
-spark plugs
-spark plug wires - if they are good

Things that are being debated, or upon which there is not common agreement:
-starter motor
-distributor condenser
-horns
-clock


As another general rule of thumb, most voltage reducing devices get hot and do not deliver the quality and exactness/regulation that the device (fan, radio ) needs to operate properly. In most cases, not all, the voltage reducing devices will not work satisfactorily. It is best not to put your hopes in them.

[rockne10]

The fifth avenue garage used to publish a booklet on how to do it, but I could not find it.

http://fifthaveinternetgarage.com/tech_tips.php

http://fifthaveinternetgarage.com/te...blications.php

[RadioRoy]

http://fifthaveinternetgarage.com/te...blications.php

Thanks Brad! That's the one I was looking for.

[rockne10]

The publications are listed in a drop down menu under "parts".
Though Mr. Rundle has passed on, it is fortunate for all that his family intends to continue serving the classic auto community.

[bensherb]

Six volt wiring is fine for 12 volts, if the wires are OK (which yours are not, apparently). You can get a new wiring harness from Studebakers West.

As another general rule of thumb, most voltage reducing devices get hot and do not deliver the quality and exactness/regulation that the device (fan, radio ) needs to operate properly. In most cases, not all, the voltage reducing devices will not work satisfactorily. It is best not to put your hopes in them.[/FONT]

Interesting Roy. I changed my '54 Chevy to 12 Volts 33 years ago. I did swap to 12 v starter , alt, and bulbs. but did use one of those old 1960's giant resistors to drop the voltage for the gauges and tube type radio. I did use a small regulator on the fuel gauge. But it's been working great for 33 years; even that 1954 tube type radio. Maybe I'm just lucky?

[tsenecal]

I'm not saying which way I think you should go here, but if the car worked well when you parked it, why not just repair or replace the wiring and stick with 6 volt?

[altair]

I am inclined to also stay with the 6 volts there are too many unresolved issues with the conversions. I personally spoke with Randy Rundle and asked what are the advantages of converting to 12 volts, his response was none and I would never do it. He went on to say the people out there want to do it and therefore I print and distribute the manual. I personally have an original 12 volt 63 259 that I operate with a 6 volt starter it turns over smartly and fires quickly. There are many folks that will claim "I have never had a problem" and equally just as many that have.

[bensherb]

Probably the biggest advantage to changing to 12 volts I can think of is being able to find a battery, light bulbs, and every other electrical part without searching out things online ordering, paying shipping and waiting for stuff. I don't know about anywhere else in the country, but here in our little town of only 100,000 people you can not find ANYTHING, let alone something as simple as 6 volt light bulbs, and batteries. God forbid you need a metric bolt! 35 years ago when I changed my '54 Chevy to 12 volts, there was ONE place you could get 6 volt bulbs and batteries; they buldozed that place and put up condos over 20 years ago.

[RadioRoy]

I converted my 54 Commander to 12 volts so it could be equipped with cruise control and halogen headlights. That was in 1991, before the advent of these potted voltage converters on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203089769958