Im starting my 21 this weekend,sitting for 60+ years. I was going to go thru and service the 6v gen. I have a rebuilt 12v Gen. sitting on the shelf. I have not bought a battery yet.
The coils are rebuilt,car has a starter on it.I've replaced all the wiring in the car. Lights dont matter for now.
Will 12v screw up the coils or anything else?
I run 6v on all my Model A's and dont have any problems with the orignal set up.
Thanks
It will not hurt the coils to "Run" on 12v, but you can overheat them if you let one sit and "Buzz" on 12v for very long. On the road, the car will actually run better on 12v than on 6v if you run on battery, but if you run on mag, that's not a factor. I don't like putting 12v on a starter. Many people do, but it can cause trouble with the bendix. I actually had a Farmall H tractor bust two starter end plates by using 12v on a starter made for 6v. On the T, it's usually the bendix that fails. Then there's those that say that is all a bunch of BS, so you will have to decide for yourself. I'm a purist. I vote for 6v, for what that's worth.
Best use for a model t generator?
Have you considered ---a boat anchor ?
Just gaskin'
I use a stock T generator and starter with 6 volts. Spins over like a 12 volt. As far as I'm concerned, the biggest plus is fresh wiring, clean connections, and a good starter switch.
If your T has air conditioning, a stereo with a big amp, and lots of other electrical doodads, you need an alternator. If not, a model T's stock generator in top-notch condition is totally adequate. I like to use the Fun Projects voltage regulator in place of the stock cutout, but that's the only change I recommend.
If you change your electrical system to 12v, be sure to have your starter rewired to make it compatible with 12v.
Fred,
I would just start it up and see what the generator does. If it works fine, and it might, just oil the rear bearing and check the brushes for wear, then drive.
I'm going to look at the fun projects voltage regulator...I went with there coil box rebuild kit as suggested on this form...Top notch item!
"I have a rebuilt 12v Gen. sitting on the shelf"
Is that a special generator? Or a stock T generator?
A stock T generator can be used for either 6, 8 or 12 volts, depends on the 3rd brush setting.
Thanks Ken, I think I know what im working with now.
The T gen. is stock and like new,I want to use it because its in the best shape of the ones I have. Theres a tag on it saying 12V. I will have to look at where the 3rd brush is set. I will set the brush where its supose to be for 6V and adjust it the way the book says to.
Fred:
There was someone awhile back who was telling folks you need to change the fields to operate the T generator at 12V but that wasn't true then or now. If you need some help checking it out - just drop me an email at piewagon@funprojects.com It isn't a big deal to set it up correctly but if you have a question - perhaps I can answer it.
It has been said that 12v system operating a 6v starter can damage the bendix and ring gear by slamming the bendix gear into the ring gear so hard that it can result in broken or worn teeth or a broken bendix. When I temporarily sold my '26 coupe in 1996, it was converted from 6v to 12v by the new owner and the original 6v starter left on. When the buyer passed away from cancer in 2001, I bought it back from his widow. When I got it home, I converted it back to 6v and tore down the engine. The ring gear was not damaged, nor was the bendix, but have a look at the bendix recoil spring. The first pictire is what a good spring should look like with the bolt holes on the same side. The next two pictures are of the spring that I pulled off the bendix when I tore it down. It has been unwound 180 degrees, so there is some merit that damage can be caused to a 6v starter operating on 12volts. Jim Patrick
Jim,
I am not willing to start a discussion about 6V or 12V but I saw this kind of spring damage on a 6V starter and don't think it is the 12V conversion that does this. I am more thinking the way the engine was started ignition full retard or not.
Andre
Belgium
John I read the instructions on using the Fun Projects voltage regulator on the Gen.
I will keep the lap top close by.
Andre, This is not a discussion on which system, 12v or 6v, is best. Fred asked the question if operating on 12v could damage any of the systems and I answered him, yes. Operating a 6v starter on a 12v system can cause damage as evidenced by my photos. That was the original bendix spring that remained undamaged from the time I bought the car in 1970 (and probably from the factory in 1926) until I sold the car in 1996. 70 years. The damage occurred in the 5 years it was converted to 12v. I can say for sure the engine was always started on full retard, as the prior owner was a mechanical engineer that inspected all the systems on nuclear submarines at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and was meticulous and conscientious. Jim Patrick
It's kind of like saying that a tire will more likely blow out with 100 lbs. of air in it that it will with 50.
I am not against using 12 volts on any 6 volt starter but reasoning tells me it will not last as long.
When I worked in St.Paul it was not uncommon to see12 volt Oldsmobiles and Chevies & others with 6 volt starters in them for quick, sure winter starting.
Some put the 12 volt starter back on in the spring because the sixes didn't seem to last as long as the twelves.
Six volts works fine if you are running magneto. If using some other ignition system, use the voltage recommended.
Norm