upgrade 49 kaiser to 12 volt syatem

[ronst]

its time to upgrade my 49/50 kaiser to 12 volts what do I need to get started?

[konrad]

Not sure of the exact parts you will need, but I think this link will help you get started:

https://www.restore-an-old-car.com/6-volt-car-to-12-volts.html

[superk226]

Why do you want to 'upgrade' your 49 Kaiser to 12 volts?

[WillysTom1]

 I have a 55 Willys Custom with the 226 engine and started using an eight volt battery and a properly adjusted alternator 15 years ago. It spins the starter much faster and the lights are brighter. The only issue that I have ever had is that the courtesy light bulb was so bright and it would burn out fast. I finally replaced it with a 12 volt bulb which is dimmer, but does not burn out. This is a very economical way to improve the electrical system.

[ronst]

thanks konrad that site is very helpful. my problem is that the 6 volt system will not turn the engine over fast enough to start, could be just a week battery I will have to investigate that. the idea of an 8 volt battery did not occur to me, I will have to research that also. I don't have any extra electrical accessories so the 6 volt system should be ok the only problem is starting

[Gordie]

Six volt systems were the norm until the fifties on all cars and worked just fine until accessories like power windows and air conditioning put too much of a strain on the systems.  Check the condition of your battery, starter and especially your ground connections.

[Fid]

my problem is that the 6 volt system will not turn the engine over fast enough to start

It is possible that the battery cables were replaced with twelve volt type at some time?
The 12 volt systems used 2 gauge cables.  Six volt systems require 1 gauge cables and it makes a big difference.
I know a lot of cars had the cables replaced at one time or another and if 2 gauge cables were used, it will spin over slower.

[ronst]

thanks FID, the negative cable is the old braded type I believe it is a 0 gauge, I'm not so sure about the positive cable might be worth a change.

[kfnut]

Battery cable size is very important to spinning the starter . Got a new old Kaiser about two months ago and didn't check my cable size and the starter would barely turn over the engine . On close inspection , I found the ground cable was too small so I put in the proper size . At first I thought I had put a 12 volt battery in by mistake . Not really but the starter tuned over the engine like it was suppose to . The engine fires in about two revolutions .

[Fid]

The engine fires in about two revolutions

Very true that Kaisers are among the fastest starting cars out there.

But ronst, if you want to convert your car, it's up to you.
Many people have done it for many different reasons but if your only concern is in the starting, if everything is in order, the KFs are among the fastest starting cars I've seen.