55 Oval Beetle - converting to 12V electrics

[plipton]

Hi all,

I have a 55 oval which I started restoring quite some time ago. One of the upgrades I'd like to perform is to give it 12 volt electrics.

This causes 2 main problems;

1. will standard modern 12V bulbs fit the bulb holders?
2. The semaphores will need some kind of voltage/current limiter to stop them blasting off into space - they fly out at an amazing rate on 6V.....with 4 times that power they'd go into orbit!

Any advice much appreciated

Plipton

[Pickled Piper]

Plipton,

I recommend that you post your question on the mechanical section of www.volkszone.com there are some fantastically knowledgeable people that post on there. IIRC modern bulbs will fit in the standard holders and you can buy of the shelf step down transformers for the semaphores, windscreen wiper motor and radio ( if you have one).

I don't want to do fellow PHers a disservice but I don't think there are that many vintage Beetle experts amongst us.

BTW a 55 oval window Beetle would be one of the vehicles in my dream garage.

pp

[plipton]

Pickled Piper said:

BTW a 55 oval window Beetle would be one of the vehicles in my dream garage. pp

Thanks for the link. Dream car, yes.....but I bought it as a resto project when I was 21.

To say this is a long resto is an understatement. In fact I might get in the Guiness book of records (I'm 42 now). Still, I think the paint's dry now (should be - it was done in '91)

Cheers

Plipton

[Pickled Piper]

Plipton,

Your story sounds like mine. I am a lot younger than you (41). I have a 66 Beetle that I started restoring in 1989. Paint was done in 1990 but life got in the way; career, houses, wife, kids etc.

pp

[plipton]

Similar tale....

Marriage, mortgage, moved house, bigger mortgage, divorced...blah, blah blah.

I suppose I should just get on with it really!