6 Volt Issues...

Okay there's a beetle I really really like but its 6 volt.. Is this just going to be a pain in the arse???

😎

dim lights, crappy wipers, old wiring. but thats just part of the joy of an early bug.

you can do a 12v conversion. this involves changing things like the generator, regulator, starter, wiper motor etc. somethings will still work with 12v like the starter and wiper motors but they will work better with a resistor holding some current back.

I still successfully run a 6 volt system on my Ghia and have no great dramas,if the system is maintained you should have no dramas.Les

dannyarmstrong wrote:Okay there's a beetle I really really like but its 6 volt.. Is this just going to be a pain in the arse???

😎

My Beetle is 6 volt, first car I've owned that isn't 12,

some observations,

It starts so easily....turn the key brrmm off it goes,
headlights are quite poor compared with 12 volt, but isn't that part of the charm of an old bug?

It just means you have to be more aware of things, if you are driving on a country road at night, you have to be driving a bit slower, watching the sides of the road for animals and obstructions on the road.


I would personally not want to use an early Beetle as an everyday car, but that is also due to the drum brakes, and single speed wipers.


All depends what you want your car for, if it is for weekends and special occasions, sure 6 volt is fine, if you are going to use the car everyday I would get a later Beetle with the disc brakes etc..


I would be concerned, if I wanted to convert a bug from 6 to 12 that you actually had someone who did a proper job, it is hard these days to get a decent mechanic, that does a proper job first time. re. the wiring, fueses etc...
last thing you want to end up with is a converted car that blows fuses and globes every week.


Just be mindful to convert a Beetle, I was told is it about an $800 job, for all the bits, flywheel, generator / alternator, globes etc.. etc...

I daily drove my 6v bug for 5 years no probs..it can be a pain if you leave the lights on for a few hours lol. But yeah no problems with RACV giving me a jump start. I have started having issues with it now that I'm not driving it reguarly but have just got a new battery so hopefully thats solved that!

The headlights aren't so great...but I don't do much country driving so not really an issue. RainX is a wonder on the windscreen. Buying globes hasn't been an issue but good to keep a few spares as you can't just grab them from a servo when you need them!

dannyarmstrong wrote:Okay there's a beetle I really really like but its 6 volt.. Is this just going to be a pain in the arse???

😎

Hi,
Its not such a big job... You need to change the horn -
all light bulbs... You can then go to QH H4 headlamp bulbs...
interior light bulbs - speedo bulbs... blinker unit -

Change: Generator - or Alternator - You can still use a 6 volt starter motor../solenoid and wiper motor.[with resisitor].

P460 battery EXIDE - Champion - BIG W - 460 CCAs..

thats all I can think of at the moment..

You can collect the parts as cheap as You can...

cheers

LEE

when u gunna take that beauty outa the lounge room Lee
he he
double earth everything in the 6 volts and your lights should have halogen globes and bingo!

Another point worth consideration is if you are going to install a modern 12v powered sound system, yes you can get a step up voltage converter, but you may also want to consider the 12 conversion in that circumstance also.

I don't know, does anyone even make a 6 volt radio / stereo system these days?

Something to think about.