Pros and cons 6 to 12volt conversion

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:08 pm

You can jump start a 6-volt car with 12 volts if you do it very quickly, but you should never need to jump your battery except in an emergency, so this shouldn't be a consideration. Same for the alarm system. If's not the car's fault you live where you live. From my experience few people are interested in pilfering parts from old VWs. Yes, the headlights are dimmer. Clean your grounds and run an Optima battery and this will help.

If your car has a complete operational 6-volt system, you should tell your friend to worry about his own car.

Bandet · Post by **Bandet** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 8:10 pm

For the wipers you can use a 1980-1984 Volvo 240, 245 & 260 wagon's REAR wiper motor is SWF and absolutely identical. Just pull out the armature out and put in your vw one.

Bug-Eyed · Post by **Bug-Eyed** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 12:44 pm

I understand that the starter bushing has to be replaced in the bell housing when converting to 12 volts.

Itskyle · Post by **Itskyle** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:50 pm

Heather wrote:My friend is talking me into the 12 volt but i did want it to be 6 volt for restoration reasons.
Why i am prob going to do 12 volt:
*I want a car alarm on it as i heard my town is known for parts being pop off (stolen)
*If I ever need a jump I can get one and can't w/the 6 volt.
*Lights brighter
Anyone know about the switch you can put in that turns it from 6 to 12 w/ a flip of switch. Would that be any value for a restoration? I still need to weigh the options, but am leaning toward 12 V. Mostly because of he car alarm.

Valid point about the car alarm.

Yes, lights will be brighter, but definitely replace all 6 volt bulbs with 12 volt.

Also, another benefit is that you can get led taillights that are wicked bright.

Never heard of a mythical 12 to 6 volt switch. Not too terribly sure how that would work, as some parts in the system aren't really meant to run on two different voltage levels. I'm thinking about the coil. Generator. And voltage regulator. Technically speaking, I suppose the starter shouldn't run on 12 volts if it is 6 volts. Bad for the solenoid, perhaps.

I purchased a musical horn for my first beetle, and it was a 12 volt one. So, besides car alarms, other cool accessories like stereos and musical horns and led lights and cigarette lighters capable of charging up modern mobile devices all like to see 12 volts.

Kyle