The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Battery or?

I just replaced my 6 volt battery. I have cleaned the terminals and the connections for the battery cables. The engine cranks, but slowly and doesn't turn over fast enough to start. When I checked after cranking several times, the ground cable is very hot. I put a charger on the battery and it looks like it was discharged. Any suggestions?

Make sure that everything is in good condition, check everything twice, and make sure the connections are good. That's about the only advice I can give you. Wait until someone else comes along to direct you but just to save trouble check everything again.

If the cable was hot, that shows excess resistance & is most likely where at least part of the problem is. If the connections are clean you may need a larger gauge cable. A 1 gauge will do OK. Many claim an "0" gauge is better but I can't say. I use 1 gauge & have no problems.

Texaholic,

Charging a battery can be deceiving. The only true measure of charge is a check of specific gravity with a hydrometer.

Because your engine barely turned over, the choices would be low battery or bum starter. The hot ground cable could have been poorly bonded, but your starter was probably drawing 200 amps and that will create heat.

If the battery WAS properly charged and discharged by itself, you either has a high resistance short in your wiring or maybe a shorted plate in your battery.

I would charge the battery and make sure it was charged with a little cheapo hydrometer and give it another shot. If the doesnt' improve the starting speed, the starter might need a tune up.

I'm not sure it a stuck cutout relay in your voltage regulator would drain the battery without other obvious side effects...like a smoking generator.

Keep us posted.

Stuart

Many thanks to those who responded to this post. I cleaned the area on the frame where the negative cable connects, and had new 1/0 cables made up. Starts like never before.

While I'm at it, I'd also like to thank the many members of this list who offered advise and counsel over the past 11 years as I rebuilt my 53 1/2 ton. This was my second Stovebolt rebuild and it's also my last. I turn 70 tomorrow, and my truck is on E-bay, with the auction also ending tomorrow night. It's been fun but time for someone else to enjoy it.

I happy I might have been able to assist in some small way. I hope your truck finds a good home and I wish all the best for you going forward.

Texaholic2000, Your truck is beautiful, and I'm sorry to hear you say this will be your last. 70 is no reason to quit. Start another project, if your physically able. It will keep you young.
I just turned 71 myself. Cleon