fred deagostino Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Gents, I need to change from my 6v pos. gr. solenoid to a 12v neg. gr. It appears so far that my options are A: a new unit from Fifth Ave. Garage or, B: Have mine rebuilt and converted over by Pinto Electrics. The rebuilt sounds like it will actually cost a bit more but I'm worried that the new units may be some flimsy 'almost right' import. Your collective thoughts/experiences ? 'Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Block Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Good question I never thought about handling the overdrive, on 12v conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest car crank Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Have you though about using an electronic voltage reducer? That is what I did on my 48 Packard it has been on it for 2 years with no problems. It is a 20 amp 12 to 6 volt unit that Bill Dewey sells on eBay. You can check it out here. Voltage Reducer Regulator 12 VOLTS to 6 VOLTS 20 AMPS - eBay (item 130476993710 end time Jan-28-11 19:35:43 PST) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HH56 Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 The voltage reducer is worth investigating. Hadn't seen that option before. If you buy the solenoid, be sure to confirm the new one has the correct stem length before committing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred deagostino Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share Posted January 23, 2011 Thanks for your response gents. From what I'm learning (?), that solenoid, pricey item that it is, needs consideration when converting voltage and polarity. My sources so far, as I'd mentioned are Pinto Electrics (phone), and Fifth Ave. Garage (website). Both warn of burnout @ 12v, Pinto questions the change of polarity also. I'm going to check into the resistor that Carcrank mentions. Dope that I am, I went ahead and bought a 12v to 6v resistor but it only has a 6 amp rating and so will not throw in the solenoid. My solenoid draws 4.1A in the hold position but I don't know what the 'throw in' Amperage is since it happens too fast for the digital voltmeter to pick up. So, I gambled and lost on that one.By the way, Fifth Ave.'s site is very good, with info. on correct lubricants for O.D. units, vintage engines, etc. Plus details on solenoid health. 'Well worth a look over. Stay tuned.........misery loves company! yours in winter doldrums, Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred deagostino Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share Posted January 23, 2011 HH56, re: the stem length. Roger that. I have the standard 1" stem (actually more like 1 1/16 on mine). From what I'm finding out the longer stems are more like 1/2" longer and were on station wagons and commercial applications due to a crossmember issue. Does that sound right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 If your car is concverted to 12 v, why not look into a GM OD solenoid? Chevy from 1955 to 67 used them as well as Ford in about the same years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred deagostino Posted January 26, 2011 Author Share Posted January 26, 2011 Thanks Coley, I will look into that too. I'm still exploring options. 'Still interested in that V reducer that Carcrank mentioned but I had a quick Question for Bill Dewey the supplier, and both his email addys get spit back so I'm a bit put off on score. I'll check with Obsolete Chevy Parts for starters re: the solenoid. Thanks again! Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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