IN NEED - stupid basic electrical questions - need opinions

[Kevin Lee]

I'm trying like hell to get my car running for the HAMB drags and have run into some problems.

First off, this is my complete elctrical system so far. A six volt generator, a six volt starter, and a six volt coil. That's it. All came with the motor.

I'm going bare minimun on gauges and whatnot - oil pressure and a couple of temp gauges are going to be about it...and I need to run a fuel pump too.

What do I need to complete a basic system and what can be substituted? For instance, NAPA gave me a price for the proper solenoid...$117.49 They have always been a help but isn't there a cheaper part out there that will work? There has to be. Voltage regulator isn't bad...rings up as $35.49 but I'll look for a break anywhere I can get it.

BIG QUESTION: Should I even try to run the six volt stuff? I looked into getting the generator reworked for twelve volts and that started at $70...just not in the budget right now. I know it involves replacing the field coils - I should be able to do that myself. Are these parts available at a NAPA or similar place for me to do the work? The starter should be fine but I'd still need a coil. Anyone have part numbers from simiar applications?

I think it comes down to looking for cheap six volt parts and using what I have or getting generator work NOW and still looking for cheap parts. Twelve volt stuff might be easier to find and cheaper? What do you think?

[Upchuck]

if you got no wiring anyways just go to 12 volts, they say the starter can take it but have a spare bendix spring on hand cause they are prone to breaking with 12 volts, if you wanna stay generator you should be able to scrape up an old 12 volter and regulator someplace cheap(used)
or go to an alternator with no regulator
and of course get a 12 volt coil and ballast regulator + you can get some cheapo gauges for 25.00 or so dollars for the 12 volt

I have an old 6 volt regulator and a starter solenoid you can have off my truck although I have no idea if the regulator works http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Kevin Lee]

Alternator is a no go. I'd have to fab a mount, and it would just be wrong - my car would crash itself.

I'll take you up on the offer of the solenoid and regulator though. I'll try to get something local but this would be good in case I can't find anything. Any other suggestions. Is a 12v coil a 12v coil? And any regulator or solenoid will do? I've seen these parts CHEAP for other cars. I just don't understand the cost incurred from specific applications. In this case if Granada, Volkswagen, or Honda stuff works I'm using it, you know?

[KCMongo]

I know the old 6 volt chevy truck starters work fine on 12 volt and spin much faster. Been running one on my truck for a couple years and no troubles I just wouldn't stand on it and crank it for ever. What's the generator like on those maybe we can scrounge you up a loaner. Are you planning on driving it to the drags or just racing it if just racing you could go without the generator and bring the charger.

Ok, this might be a stupid question, but how different are the generators from the chevy inlines and the flatty's I'm sure I still have my old 6 and 12 volt generators at the farm from before I converted to an Alternator..
MONGO

[Kevin Lee]

The short story is I'm dumb. I'm screwed. I should have had this worked out before. You know, if I can find a suitable solenoid for less than $117.49 I'll just spring for the reg. and run six volt. I have to go get my daughter now.

Right now I'm just planning on racing.

[oldchevyseller]

what is the proper solenoid?
use any 6 volt solenoid yo ucan buy them a t tractor supply or fleet farm for under 20 bucks?i am at a loss for why the price is ridiculous!!nothing special about them, as far as the starter , couple places sell 6 to 12 volt bendix springs, they are wound a little diferent to handle the impact the 12 volts thorws the bendix into the flywheel, they wont compress and break,


http://www.8ntractors.com/category_32.htm
8N11450 Starter Solenoid
Starter Solenoid Relay Assemblies Starter relay; 6 volt, 3 post, 8N 1948-52.

Product# 8N11450
detailed info Price US?$8.50

[manyolcars]

Ford Solenoids are about $10. You dont need to charge the battery during the very brief time you are running down a dragstrip.

[metalshapes]

You are talking about the Starter Solenoid, right?
Lucas ( insert "Prince of darkness" and "Lights U Can't Always See" jokes here ) has a Solenoid that has a override swich on it.
They were used in Race Cars a lot, mounted where the driver could reach it. ( That eliminated some wiring...)
If you push the button your self, It probably doesn't matter if you use it with 6 or 12 Volt. ( Hell, they might sell one for 6 Volt...)

[Missing Link]

I have a 5volt solenoid you can have. And you should check out your PM's. going 6volt to 12volt is alot more than voltage. It is based on amperage. I fyou have a very good 6volt wiring harness in place, it will be able to handle 12volts. Higher volts but lower amperage. Huh? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Tall Paul]

why mess around with 6V??? I don't understand. Are u building a drag car from scratch?? If so you have free range to put in whatever u want, so wiring harness wouldn't be a problem on 12v. Plus you can put any gauges on it without messin around. Plus 12v charging on a new 12v battery as opposed to some piss ant little crappy 6v battery. You have no problem running 12v thru a 6v starter motor....at least I didnt on my flattie...one of those cheap $10 buck solenoids would do the trick there too.. If you want to run a generator then surely you could pick up a decent 12v one off of just about anything and it would work...I'd imagine 12v generators in good working order are a bit easier to come across than 12v units, and probably a lot easier to fix should something go wrong too... and, last but not least, if its a street car, then 12v gives you brighter head lights http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif..and that concludes todays lesson on the benefits of 12v vs 6v.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Paul

[CptStickfigure]

[ QUOTE ]
Is a 12v coil a 12v coil?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sort of. Some need an external ballast resistor and some don't.

Grab AC Delco part number U515 - Universal coil, no ballast resistor needed. It's about $5 more than the one that needs a ballast resistor, but it's one less thing to worry about.

Look at the coil before you buy it. It should say right on it whether you need a ballast resistor or not.

That's weird. It's $15.99 at Autozone, but $40-something at Napa.

[Rocky]

Kevin...remember the old Rocky 33? I changed it over to 12 volts and wired it up for about 34 cents or so. Ok, ok, I paid for a new 12 volt coil but the rest of it came from buddys and donor cars.
A 60's ford/merc generator [12 volt] bolts in place using the old flathead mounts if you use the 6 volt ends off the old generator. I did buy a new regulator [told the napa guy it was for a 63 Merc] and the rest was "in stock" around my spacious garage. I used an old wiring diagram from motors manual and used auto parts store and donor car wiring. I also used a 12 volt solenoid, mounted on the inside of my firewall to control my 6 volt starter...never a problem. Charged like a champ and always started with the 12 volt system..don't forget to wire in a ballast resistor between the ign. switch and the coil..it'll make your points last a lot longer.

[choprods]

Kevin-another "poor guy" innovation for wiring on the cheap is to pick up a trailer wiring harness. it will supply the flat tape-like four wire leads to make the entire front and rear light harness[wal mart-$.95]
I have a cople of six volt/voltage regulators Ill check...... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif