The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 12volt batt 6volt starter

I don't know if I'll be able to give all the information needed to solve this problem. Bought this old 53 pickup and the battery in it was 3 years old. I used it to start the pickup a few times but lately it doesnt seem to be much good. Even after I charge it fully it seems very weak. Took it to NAPA they said it had an internal short. Now I have read many times where Stovebolters use a 12 volt battery with the 6 volt starter. In fact many prefer this because it spins the motor faster for easier starts. I understand that a bad starter turning slow doesn't produce back EMF to lesson the current going through the starter. I don't want to ruin a new batt. What do you think??? Thanks in advance!

unlikely the starter caused the battery to fail, and yes, using the 6V starter on 12V works fine ... as long as you're not using the starter to move the truck around if it's cranking slow on 12V either it's frapped or the engine is waaay too tight

Bill

Funton,

Don't get lost in the techno stuff like 'back EMF' and forget to remember that the the rigs talked about here have been converted to full 12 volt systems...lamps, ignition, charging systems and batteries, everything, except the starter, (usually) as it is tough enough to handle the increased voltage and keep on going.

So to get net, the entire truck is now 12 volts...except for the starter. It isn't just a case of sticking a 12 volt battery into a old 6 volt bolt.

Stuart

atomarc , Thanks for your answer but I don"t know what your saying!

Funton,

Does your truck have the original 6v electrical system or has it been converted to a 12v system but it still has a old/bad 6v battery?

We'll proceed one step at a time.

Tim

tclederman, The only thing 12 volt was the battery. I know how to wire up the alternator following atomarc's advice. I just wanted to start it up to adjust the valves.

You have a 6v alternator?

You cannot successfully use a 12 volt battery in a truck in which all other electrical system parts are 6v.

tclederman, No I have a 12 volt alternator but it isn't hooked up yet.

On 2 of my trucks, im using the old 6v. starter with a 12v. system. No probs at all,it just spins a little faster making for easy starts. Theyve both been that way for at least 10 years.
As Stuart said,,"dont get lost in the techno stuff",,it pretty much doesnt get any simpler than these ol trucks.
And......Welcome to Stovebolt. Stick around,,you'll learn alot.

Funton,

To answer your original question, using a new 12 volt battery to start your truck equipped with a 6 volt starter won't hurt either the starter or the battery, but, if the 12 volt battery is connected into a system with 6 volt devices such as lamps, gauges or voltage regulators, it might damage them.

Stuart

Thanks to all, I'm happy I can use 12volt batt. with 6 volt starter. Was starting to look a little like the "whose on first act".

Make sure you have voltage dropping resistor on your fuel gauge before you hook up the 12 volts or it will fry. Also use one on the heater motor. You may have addressed this but if you haven't check the post on 12 volt conversion.

In the good old days (early 60’s) my dad would install a 12V battery in a 6V car. He would use a battery with external bridges between the 6 cells and run a heavy screw into the center bridge as a 6V connection to power everything except the starter.

Kip's41,

I have heard this was possible with the type of battery construction used back then. My only question is, how would the 6 volt charging system maintain the 12 volt battery?

I think this has always been the proverbial fly in the ointment.

Stuart

Can’t say as I remember too well (I was more interested in girls back then) but it couldn’t be too difficult to change to a 12V generator and voltage regulator

Very true....but then you wouldn't need the #10 wood screw tapped into the bridge of the battery to get 6 volts, would you?


Stuart

Sure, everything else in the car remained 6V. Lights, gauges, radio, etc.

Kip's41,

I'm not sure I'm on the same page as you are on the thread.

IMHO, there is absolutely no way to install a 12 volt battery in a 6 volt system and have that 6 volt system charge that 12 volt battery...does this sound right!

If you do as your dad did and tap into the 12 volt battery bridge to achieve 6 volts, how will that 6 volt charging system charge the 12 volt battery? What am I missing on this?

Stuart

Hay Stuart:

I may not be explaining this clearly and then again I may not be remembering correctly either. As I mentioned at the time my mind was elsewhere, my only concern with the car was to get to a DATE.

Better explanation… I had this ’52 Chevy that was very difficult to start. I think my Dad installed a 12V battery, a 12V generator and a 12V regulator. He powered only the starter with 12 Volts. He taped into the center of the battery to obtain 6 Volts for all of the other power requirements

Wow...that sounds interesting, thanks for the explanation.

Stuart