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| | | | Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 118 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 118 | Hello fellow bolters,
It just came to my attention that instead of using a 6 volt battery I can use a 12 volt to turn it over and see if my motor is good, any truth to that?
I have a 6 volt electrical original system, but I don't have a 6 volt battery to try to start it.
I don't plan on driving it or running any electrical equipment, just trying to see if it fires up before I invest in a 6 volt battery. I have good 12 volts at my disposal.
If there is truth in that do I still use the positive on the 12 volt as a negative ground, or hook it up as a regular 12 volt system?
Thanks jim
1950 chevy shortbed 3100, 216 with a 3 on the tree.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2022 Posts: 100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2022 Posts: 100 | Yes, you can use it to turn your engine over without any trouble. However, it could fry your gas gauge and it will blow all your lights, if you turn them on.
Care taker of a 1946 1/2 ton. Pretty much period correct original. Danny T, from B’ham, Al
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,212 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,212 | do I still use the positive on the 12 volt as a negative ground, or hook it up as a regular 12 volt system? Make sure to always tell us the year and make of your project as there are differences between GMC and Chevrolet...it helps us help you! You can add your trucks info to your signature line in your profile so you don't have to say it each time you post. Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 118 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 118 | Thank you,
Do I make regular positive to positive, or negative to negative connections? Don't want to create more issues.
Jim
1950 chevy shortbed 3100, 216 with a 3 on the tree.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 118 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 118 |
1950 chevy shortbed 3100, 216 with a 3 on the tree.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,982 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,982 | If the truck is still positive ground then connect the positive battery terminal to the chassis ground.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Chevrolet will not be positive ground.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 118 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 118 | Truck is a 1950 3100 6 volt system with positive ground
1950 chevy shortbed 3100, 216 with a 3 on the tree.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,694 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,694 | Who converted it to positive ground and why?
If you bought it that way, I'd make sure the wire from the coil to the points is (+). I never trust modifications made by previous owners until I verify them myself.
Or, convert it back to negative ground to avoid further confusion or problems. Jump starting , for example.
Last edited by Otto Skorzeny; 01/21/2023 3:19 PM.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Positive ground would be a GMC not a Chevy. There is a tech tip to address changing (take you maybe 15 minutes) from positive ground to negative ground. Very easy to do.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | If you have a Chevy truck it came from the factory with a negative ground system. Be very sure before you start connecting any battery or it'll get very expensive very quickly.
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Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,450 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,450 | Cheapskate 1229 Would go with 12 volt neg. ground for jumper reasons and alternator reasons.Any delcotron will be neg. ground and very simple. | | |
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