12V Conversion / Wiper Motor Question

[Booker T]

Actually a couple questions...

I am in the process of converting my 54 Savoy from 6v to 12v and using Langdon's Mini HEI. My 6v starter was recently rebuilt and from reading through other posts it appears this starter should work just fine. I will switch out all of the bulbs for 12v, the car does not have radio and I have removed the non-working heater and associated parts. My 6v Generator is currently at a local shop being changed over to 12v. I know this may not be the best route to go but for some reason I just don't like the look of an alternator on one of these flatheads. I know there are some generator look a like alternators available but I didn't have the budget. There was also a great thread on the HAMB about putting the internals from a GM 1-Wire into a old generator housing...which convinced me I did not have the skills, knowledge or the patience.

Anyway, the only real concern I have is the electric wiper motor on this car. I don't think a "Runtz" type resistor is made for this type application. I had the wiper motor out on the bench and cleaned it up and it works just fine (a slight "hiccup" at one full rotation, which may be by design) and I would like to continue to use it.

So, what type of options are available to "step down" the 12v to the 6v wiper motor?

Also, still waiting to hear from the shop on how many amps the generator will be putting out so I can get the correct 12v voltage regulator. But, I am sure that it will be a fraction of what an alternator would put out. The only accessories that I would be running would be the lights and the wipers (depending on answers to the above question). I wouldn't think running just these would draw too many amps, should I be concerned?

[Don Coatney]

Follow this link and contact forum member powerhouse to find where he boutht his 12 volt wiper motor.

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=25283

[knighthawk]

you can buy one from ' Newport Engineering' for about $120 comes with motor and switch, for a little more you can get it with the wiper delay. Covert ing it to just any 12 volt motor is only 1/2 the problem, you also have to keep the same rotation of both the arms

[MarkAubuchon]

newport engineering. perfect fit

[BeBop138]

I used the 6V motor and ran a .5 50 watt power resistor between the switch and motor----works fine. If you are using the car as a daily driver, I would go with Newport, they have excellent products.........Lee

[Booker T]

I checked the Newport site and they did not list a motor for the 54 model. It may be the same motor / application as the others so I will call and see.

I didn't have my heard set on using the existing motor...just figured if I could get it to work I could save a little $$$.

While looking around the internet I came across a "Heavy Duty Wire-Wound Heater Blower Motor Voltage Reducer" at http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/parts/parts_counter_2.html

It's obviously for a heater motor but I would think the application would be similar. Does anyone have any experience with these?

[Booker T]

Finally called Newport and they do not offer a motor for the 54. Said they only offer motors for vacuum replacement installs.

Was reading on the HAMB regarding this topic and several people posted that the motor should handle 12v just fine...it will just run faster. Said something to the effect that the motor does not carry about the volts...just to worry about how many amps it is being fed. Any thoughts on this? And if this is true, how are the amps controlled that go to the wiper motor?

I was thinking that I could connect the motor to a 12v battery charger and run it for a while (it is out of the car) and see if it gets hot, etc. Is this sound logic?

Thanks!

[Booker T]

For some reason I overlooked your post!!! Was this a garden variety resistor or something special for this application? Is this something Radio Shack, etc. might carry?

[DJ194950]

one source i ran across this week for voltages reducers:

speedwaymotors.com

the show 3 possibles.

2 for motors

1 for gauges

look in the electrical heading.

good luck.

dj

50 4 dr.

49 suburban

[windsor8]

I 'm using the 6 volt wiper motor on a 12 volt system in my 48 Dodge. I tried a "Runtz" resistor but they get super hot right now. So my 2 speed wiper motor runs fast on slow and real fast on high. I keep the windshield Rainxed up and try to only run the wiper sparingly. Works for me.

[wallytoo]

i purchased an "accessory voltage reducer" from classic parts of america. it was part #24-996. it is installed inline with the hot source for the wiper motor. this is a finned aluminum cased reducer. i mounted mine to the underside of the dash panel, next to the steering column. they do get hot, but the wiper motor stays cool and operates at the factory speed. i also installed one for my heater motor.

both motors are continuous duty in terms of normal use, so you should use a reducer. the starter motor only sees short-duration use, so 12 volts doesn't heat it up enough to worry about.

these reducers are far cheaper than buying a new wiper motor.

wally

[Booker T]

Thanks for all the info!

[Kevinb71]

Rod & Custom magazine has an article in this months issue on building a solid state voltage reducer. They will have another article on a variable reducer next month. Looks like a good low cost optioon.

[thrashingcows]

This is good info...Thanks!  I'm going to look into this for my Desoto, since it has a two arms spinning on a single motor.

[Andydodge]

Dunno if this helps but I have BMC 12 volt wiper motor in my 1940 Dodge for the past 30yrs..........as far as I am aware all English makes from the late 40's used Lucas 12volt wiper motors, these are a cable operated setup, in theory you can mount the motor in the trunk so long as the cable is long enough......I have my wiper motor mounted off the cowl brace on the inside beside the glove box with the cable running across under the cowl behind the cowl vent hinge........the wiper transmissions clamp around the cable, depending on whether you want "wave your hands" wipers or "clap your hands" wipers you mount the transmission s both the same way or have one upside down so that the travel is reversed.......from what I have seen in US hot rod magazines the Newport wipers (or some other brand?) use a cable setup also..........BMC/ Lucas ones are generally cheap and can be got as  single or multi speed ones.........hope this helps........andyd    

[thrashingcows]

Andydodge...thank you for your suggestions.  I came across this same info you posted up at an earlier time.  I might look into it...don't know yet. I'd like to test to see if the motor even works first, but don't have a way to put 6V to it.  The 12V to 6V Voltage reducer is about $20 and I can then retain all my original stuff.