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MartinFidler918
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2021
Posts: 17
Location: United Kingdom
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 Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 5:37 am Post subject: 1968 1200 Beetle 12V upgrade |
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Hi Everyone, I have a couple of questions related to upgrading my Beetle from 6Volts to 12Volts.
I got told that all I need to do is swap out the regulator and change bulbs but what about the Dynamo, auto choke, fuel cut off solenoid, starter motor, Starter motor solenoid, lamps in instruments?? Can anyone advise exactly what will need swapped out? I already have a 12Volt dynamo off another motor and a regulator.
Thanks for your help, much appreciated. |
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Larmo63
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2015
Posts: 338
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 5:50 am Post subject: Re: 1968 1200 Beetle 12V upgrade |
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Did you mean 1958 bug?
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glutamodo 
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Posts: 26309
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 12:55 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 1200 Beetle 12V upgrade |
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That's a good question. Especially for this Forum. Looking at where the original poster is located. Only USA models got the 12V upgrade as a standard option in 1967. In other countries the cheaper models (like the 1200) continued to be 6V for a few years afterwards. So the question is valid for 1958 or 68.
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To answer the question if he really meant 1968: do you have a 90mm or 105mm diameter dynamo (generator) currently? In those last years of 6V production they moved to a 105mm diameter, making the conversion to 12V a bit easier, since the generator stand does not need to be changed and the intake manifold should already be tall enough to allow clearance.
The starter might actually be OK to leave 12V. They often function decently on 12V. They engage a bit harshly, otherwise they work pretty well.
You also have to deal with the wiper motor. It will run way too fast on 12V, usually an high wattage resistor spliced in-line on the power feed wire to the wiper motor.
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3450
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 1200 Beetle 12V upgrade |
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| glutamodo wrote: |
That's a good question. Especially for this Forum. Looking at where the original poster is located. Only USA models got the 12V upgrade as a standard option in 1967. In other countries the cheaper models (like the 1200) continued to be 6V for a few years afterwards. So the question is valid for 1958 or 68.
----
To answer the question if he really meant 1968: do you have a 90mm or 105mm diameter dynamo (generator) currently? In those last years of 6V production they moved to a 105mm diameter, making the conversion to 12V a bit easier, since the generator stand does not need to be changed and the intake manifold should already be tall enough to allow clearance.
The starter might actually be OK to leave 12V. They often function decently on 12V. They engage a bit harshly, otherwise they work pretty well.
You also have to deal with the wiper motor. It will run way too fast on 12V, usually an high wattage resistor spliced in-line on the power feed wire to the wiper motor. |
That's right Andy. The last 6Volt beetle in Europe was in 1974 |
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Cusser
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Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31361
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 1200 Beetle 12V upgrade |
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| Helfen wrote: |
| The last 6Volt beetle in Europe was in 1974 |
That does sound silly of VW to do that, at least to me.....
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2502
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 1200 Beetle 12V upgrade |
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| MartinFidler918 wrote: |
| ...but what about the auto choke, fuel cut off solenoid, starter motor, Starter motor solenoid, lamps in instruments?? |
All of those things will require changing to 12V, except for the starter motor. The 6V starter will run (just faster) on 12V. Be sure to use a 12V solenoid to avoid harsh engagement between the starter's drive gear and the flywheel.
The 6V windshield wiper motor will need to have its armature swapped out to run on 12V, or you can add a voltage reducer instead. You'll also need a 12V battery, ignition coil, turn signal flasher, hi-beam relay for the headlights, and a radio that'll work on 12V. The interior dome light will need a 12V bulb too, and the gas gauge sender will need to be changed to 12V. The 6V horn will work fine on 12V.
And for your continued reading pleasure, here's a 12-page discussion on 6 to 12V conversions:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=233946
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MartinFidler918
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2021
Posts: 17
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:31 am Post subject: Re: 1968 1200 Beetle 12V upgrade |
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| Larmo63 wrote: |
| Did you mean 1958 bug? |
No it's a 1968 1200, so got all the left over parts, Mine has a '63 wiring harness with Dip foot switch and it's 6 Volts. |
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MartinFidler918
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2021
Posts: 17
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:34 am Post subject: Re: 1968 1200 Beetle 12V upgrade |
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| rcooled wrote: |
| MartinFidler918 wrote: |
| ...but what about the auto choke, fuel cut off solenoid, starter motor, Starter motor solenoid, lamps in instruments?? |
All of those things will require changing to 12V, except for the starter motor. The 6V starter will run (just faster) on 12V. Be sure to use a 12V solenoid to avoid harsh engagement between the starter's drive gear and the flywheel.
The 6V windshield wiper motor will need to have its armature swapped out to run on 12V, or you can add a voltage reducer instead. You'll also need a 12V battery, ignition coil, turn signal flasher, hi-beam relay for the headlights, and a radio that'll work on 12V. The interior dome light will need a 12V bulb too, and the gas gauge sender will need to be changed to 12V. The 6V horn will work fine on 12V.
And for your continued reading pleasure, here's a 12-page discussion on 6 to 12V conversions:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=233946 |
Perfect! Thanks guys the fuel sender is a cable so no need to swap that out, excellent forum this, I have to say. I wouldn't need to consider an upgrade if it just worked correctly LOL. |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3450
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: 1968 1200 Beetle 12V upgrade |
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| Cusser wrote: |
| Helfen wrote: |
| The last 6Volt beetle in Europe was in 1974 |
That does sound silly of VW to do that, at least to me..... |
1974 Basic Beetle, 1200, swing axle, 6 volt.
To the guy who only needed basic transportation who needed anything more?
1974 Beetle Brochure - German go to the very bottom under specifications for VW 1200
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/74bug_german/VW%201303%20S%201974.pdf |
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