Uh, April Fools?
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffrey R <Oxroad@aol.com>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, April 01, 2000 11:51 AM
Subject: lights dim since 6 volt conversion

>After completing most of the conversion to change my 83.5 Westfalia from 12
>volt to 6 volt I have run into several problems.
>
>The first question I'm guessing many have is why convert to 6 volt. I had
two
>reasons. One was my CD player gave out and I couldn't bear to drive without
>music. My funds are low and I couldn't really afford a new unit but I have
an
>old 6 volt Sapphire AM radio, which is better than nothing and obviously
>wouldn't work in a 12 volt system. (I actually had two Sapphire 6 volt
radios
>and fried the first one hooking it up to the 12 volt system). I also had
all
>the necessary parts for the conversion in my garage: a 6 volt generator and
>regulator from a 66 beetle and the correct fan belt.
>
>The second reason is to save fuel and increase power. I figured 6 volts
would
>be less stressful on the arguably underpowered Vanagon.
>
>So back to my problem. While I will eventually have to find a 6 volt
starter
>motor (the 12 volt barely turns over) I currently have no funds and not
sure
>how easy the swap will be. I'm lucky enough to live on and work on streets
>with hills, so I can coast and pop the clutch to start the Vanagon. But the
>problem is the existing headlights are very dim with the 6 volt system.
>
>Has anyone who has done the swap encountered this same problem with the dim
>headlights or is my situation unique? Has anyone found a solution? Also the
>gauges don't work correctly. I can beat the gas gauge thing by watching the
>odometer, but I'm not sure how to judge the engine temperature. I tried
>gauging it by hand, but that is hard to judge (and PS for any of you
thinking
>about checking the engine temp this way use caution around the catalytic
>convertor. It gets really hot even after the engine is running for only a
few
>minutes.)
>
>As for the headlights, since it's April 1st, the days are getting longer,
but
>I still may sometimes have to work late and my fear is if the sun goes down
>with the dim lights I may not be able to see in the dark.
>
>Any suggestions appreciated.
>
>TIA
>Jeff
>83.5 Westy
>NYC