If you had a choice

[stan's52]

All the wiring is out of my 52 Concord. I can wire it back just about anyway I want. One option is putting it back stock with 6 V pos ground, or changing to 6V neg ground. Then the other option is going with 12V. I know they were 6V many years, and seamed to work just fine. Then 12 volt came along in the 50's and everyone change to 12V.

there must have been a good reason. If you had a choice which way would you go? One thing bothering me about 12 v is the wind shield wiper motor, I think other electricl parts are no problem.  Any thoughts? Stan

[Plymouthy Adams]

reason....cheaper

[_shel_ny]

Many have done conversions reducing the voltage to various accessories by different methods.

 

I have no opinion on your choice.

 

Here is one thread of many:

 

 

 

http://p15-d24.com/topic/31336-12v-reduction-to-6v-wiper-motor/?hl=%2Bwiper+%2Bmotor+%2Bvoltage

[suntennis]

If I was not trying to keep everything original, I would do 12 volt. If nothing else, 12 volt would make starting easier not to mention all the accessories you can get for that voltage. With all the hot rod parts available there must be one that would be a 12 volt wiper motor that would work.

[busycoupe]

If the wiring and charging system is in good condition the car will start and run just fine. The reason that manufacturers changed to 12 volt is that they could use thinner wires that cost less. If you can save a couple of pounds of copper per car multiplied by several hundred thousand cars per year, it adds up. Unless you have a particular reason to change to12 v I would not do it. A well tuned engine with good clean electrical connections and grounds should start as well on 6 v as a modern car starts on 12 volts.

[jeffsunzeri]

All the wiring is out of my 52 Concord. I can wire it back just about anyway I want. One option is putting it back stock with 6 V pos ground, or changing to 6V neg ground. Then the other option is going with 12V. I know they were 6V many years, and seamed to work just fine. Then 12 volt came along in the 50's and everyone change to 12V.

there must have been a good reason. If you had a choice which way would you go? One thing bothering me about 12 v is the wind shield wiper motor, I think other electricl parts are no problem.  Any thoughts? Stan

Going to 12 volt will cost you the price of several components for zero return. 12 volt systems don't start any better or function any better than 6 volt.

If you want to use 12 volt accessories, inexpensive converters for both voltage and polarity are easily sourced and reliable.

Also, keeping it stock increases or at least maintains long-term value. "Unmolested" and "Original" vehicles are highly valued in the market.

[dodgeguy]

My 2 cents. I'm keeping 47 d24 as is for now but first time theres a fire, shorted wire , blown component etc. gutting it putting in amarican autowire 21 circuit hiway wireing kit. Have done this on 3 other cars safest  upgrades next to brakes . Easy to do plenty of acc circuits for ad ons then when you upgrade to hot rod later power train you are all set. don't let the purist police scare you make it safe and or like you want it its your car! Go  for what you want. You will be happy in long run

[Plymouthy Adams]

depends on the component if you have a surge on power up...you can damage a device...especially if using a Runtz

[Mark Haymond]

While running new wires, run some extra wires from the dash area to the trunk, in case you want to install sound speakers in the package tray under the rear window. Or you can use them for other future accessories.

[Jeff Balazs]

I am using my 52 B-3-C as my primary transportation. It is 6 volt positive ground and has several modifications to the electrical system. Alternator....electric fuel pump..pertronix ignition...auxillary fan.....stereo.......GPS speedometer....etc. It all works just fine....as far as it goes. But my system already has two 12 volt power converters.

 

If I had it to do over I would go to 12 volt. Reason: Easier to find quality components and accessories.

I am on my third go around to obtain truly functional headlights at 6 volts. A modification or upgrade like this is so much simpler when you have a 12 volt system. Since we are expecting an El Nino winter I am getting a bit concerned about the 6 volt wiper system. Again this would be so much easier to upgrade the system if necessary if I was running at 12 volts.

I do realize that my application my be different than most others here.......but you did ask.

 

Jeff

[meadowbrook]

My '50 has been kept 6V pos ground. I figured the reason I like these old cars is that they are different, I already own a modern car so I like to keep the old car 'old school', plus it is one more talking point when I give rides.

 

To make it more usable, though I did install a 12V converter and a hidden power socket to charge a phone on long trips. No worry about wipers since mine are the superior vaccum design  .

 

I also have a fully functional tube radio so I want to keep it 6 V pos ground for that. I still have the original wiring, and I do disconnect the battery when I park it, just in case.

[knuckleharley]

All the wiring is out of my 52 Concord. I can wire it back just about anyway I want. One option is putting it back stock with 6 V pos ground, or changing to 6V neg ground. Then the other option is going with 12V. I know they were 6V many years, and seamed to work just fine. Then 12 volt came along in the 50's and everyone change to 12V.

there must have been a good reason. If you had a choice which way would you go? One thing bothering me about 12 v is the wind shield wiper motor, I think other electricl parts are no problem.  Any thoughts? Stan

My vote is to go with the 6 volt wiring harness. It's  heavier gauge than the 12 volt,and you can always hook it up to a 12 volt battery later if you want without having to rip anything out and start all over again. If you decide to go with a 12 volt wiring harness,you are pretty much stuck with using a 12 volt system.