12 volt ignition with 6 volt system

[kansasplowboy]

My 26 project came with a 12 volt pertronix in the distributor but I would love to run the rest of the car on 6 volt to protect the starter. Is this even remotely possible?

[Craig Leach]

Randy,
Pertronics makes a 6 volt negative ground unit for VW distributers depending on whitch distributer you have. I think the unit for a 009 is 1845N6 but I don't know what distributer you have. Check the VW web pages. I use Jbugs for most of my VW stuff.
Craig.

[Kerry]

One way is to use a bendix spring at the starter + cable as a resistor.

[TRDxB2]

The distributor body may be able to work on 6 or 12 volt. Its the coil that is matched to the car voltage (battery). So all you may need to do is use a 6 volt coil. What model distributor and does it have points? If it has an electronic ignition module setup then it is voltage dependent for sure. Also is the coil a 12 volt - check the model # and does it require a ballast resistor? Hard to give a definitive answer without knowing what you have - generator or alternator etc
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Here is an example - so what do you have?

[TXGOAT2]

I think the Petronix replaces points and condenser. A set of stock points might still fit and would need to be installed with a 6 volt coil and condenser for a 6 volt VW application. VW used 6 volts into the 1960s, I believe. I do not know if they were positive or negative ground. It does matter. If the VW is not negative ground, a GM 6 volt coil and condenser should work fine with VW points. It's important to determine whether an ignition resistor was used with any particular parts used, and if so, it must be included and hooked up correctly. A system with a mis-matched coil and condenser will eat points, and a system with incorrect polarity willl have weak ignition performance. A system that requires a resistor will eat points if it lacks the resistor.

[Original Smith]

You don't need any of that. Be sure to have a good starter and generator, and new wiring everywhere and 4 good coils, and don't forget, a good starter switch too. A good 6 volt system will spin your engine over as good as any 12 volt system.

[TXGOAT2]

Agreed, but he already has the hybrid system in place.

[TRDxB2]

Pertronics make all kinds of distributors so you can't assume that its a VW/Bosch or a Delco clip on or whatever. Need to know a model number, picture will help as well.
While we all agree that you don't need 12 volts, we also don't know why he says its 12 volts or has it.
"My 26 project came with a 12 volt pertronix in the distributor but I would love to run the rest of the car on 6 volt to protect the starter. Is this even remotely possible?" note the first words "My 26 project came with" doesn't say what else it came with.

[Norman Kling]

The starter spring will not really help with the problem. The problem is when the starter bendix first hits the flywheel which will be very hard with 12 volts. The spring in series will only help under load after the damage has been done. However, there are starters available which are wound for 12 volts.
Best thing I can think of would be to get a distributor which works on 6 volts and use a 6 volt battery, or fix your magneto and use coils.
Norm

[TXGOAT2]

12 voilt ignition implies a 12 volt generator or alternator and battery, and might indicate an already abused 6 volt starter.

[kansasplowboy]

Thanks for all the input guys. I have the Texas T conversion with a 12 volt pertronix electronic in it. It is a Bosch 009, so I think I will just buy the 6 volt version of the pertronix, a 6 volt coil, and call it good. I don’t have a generator yet, but that is what I’m going to run. I tried pulling my gen apart to rebuild it but for the life of me cannot get the pin to budge that holds the gear on. I’ve tried to drive it out from both directions thinking it might be a tapered pin but no luck. It looks and feels like it might have spent the last 30 years in the bottom of a swamp, the only usable parts might be the case and gear. I would like to just buy or trade for a rebuilt one.