Jump to content

12V conversion


dgrinnan

Recommended Posts

I have done a 12v conversion before but not on a vehicle with a positive ground system.  Do you need to do anything different?  Can you convert to 12v and stay positive ground?   I know about all the other stuff that is needed.  Light bulbs, ballast resistor, gauges.

Edited by dgrinnan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, dgrinnan said:

I am not against switching to negative ground.  I just didn't know if it required anything special.  I appreciate every ones help. Switching the altimeter polarity is easy.

ALTIMETER?  Now THAT is a fancy truck!  ?

 

(assuming autocorrect error)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, that wasn't autocorrect. That is the new marketing term for an ammeter on a vehicle with an alternator. "Why just have an old tired generator ammeter when you can have the new, high-powered alternator Altimeter! Soar to new heights without ever leaving the ground!" ?

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like you have it all under control. About the only issue with switching from positive to negative ground would be a radio.

You would not be able to use a stock +ground radio with a -ground system.  ..... Betting your truck does not have one, is possible though.

 

The starter does not care.

Heater motor wont care but will spin really fast on 12v.  You can reduce it down to 6v or replace the motor for $10-$15.

Wipers? good chance you have vacuum?

 

I have the exact replacement tank & fuel sender sold for your 1947.

I told the lady over the phone that my truck was still 6V +ground. Wanting to be sure I got the right parts.

She told me that the sending unit & gauge did not care about the voltage or ground.

 

So I'm going on what the supplier told me when ordering parts for my 1949.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

My 47 WC has the stock thermostatic gauge, I am running 6v negative ground in my truck with a 6v alternator. My fuel gauge has a terminal for power from the ignition switch and terminals 1 and 2 that connect to their respective terminals 1 and 2 on the sending unit. It is working as it should. There is another style fuel gauge that came out around 47-48 that is different from the thermostatic type made by Moto Meter.  I cannot speak to how it would work switching the polarity.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/31/2022 at 12:23 PM, lostviking said:

Me thinks she would be wrong. The gas gauge cares.

 

Tim

A Runtz resistor can be added to the fuel gauge circuit, it does not care about polarity.

I used a 60s Dart heater blower motor, it was a direct bolt in.

My clock doesn't care.  Been running on 12v for years.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did some searching because I didn't know if the gauge was measuring voltage or current. I found an excellent thread with a great explanation of how the gas gauge works.

 

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/100645/6-12-volt-fuel-guage-sender-theory.html

Edited by lostviking
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Terms of Use