The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Jump starting a 6 volt

Okay gentlemen. I know this issue has been raised before (tho I used search and couldnt find it). But, can you jump a 6 volt truck off a 12 volt source.

I have always heard it will blow lights, gauges, etc. However, a buddy of mine insists it wont as long as the vehicle with the 12v source is not running.

Now, I cranked my 235 in my garage by jumping it off my 2001 truck. However, my 2001 truck was not running and there were no gauges, lights attached to the motor to blow.

Can it be done? Is it bad on the coil? Starter? Condenser/points? Etc.

I'm looking to the experts for help.

This would also be vital info as there arent many 6 volts out there and it would be nice to know if I could get a jump if needed from a 12v source.

Thoughts?

not a problem, been doin it since forever, the 6v starter is gobblin up the power - just don't hook it up and leave it, have a helper put the hot lead on when yer ready to crank and take it off as soon as the 6v starts

Bill

Yep, no big deal.

In my case I started pulled up a 12 volt car and left it running at idle. I hooked up all the cables except for the positive (positive ground truck). I started cranking on the 6 volt, then hooked up the ground cable. As soon as it catches, disconnect the ground cable.

I've had no problems of any sort doing this. No gauge failures, nothing.

David Bush

Thanks guys! Any other advice? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

i have a leece neville 6v alternator and system on my truck, someone decided to try and jump the battery off of a 12v battery charger/booster. it fried the regulator resistors. its unlikely you have this leece neville system, but just be careful with whatever you decide to do.

Just a thought, you won't blow your lights if they're turn off. Just in case pull the fuses if you're that concerned. And I too have done this dozens of times, and I whole heartedly agree that have someone remove the jumpers as soon as it starts.

When I was a teenager, I had a 54 Chevy Wagon with a a rebuilt 235. It was hard to start with a 6 volt battery, so I installed a dual volt battery. I haven't seen them discussed here. It is like 2 6 volt batteries in one with a fancy switch on top. For starting it put out 12 volts and then ran the car on 6. Starting on 12 was never a problem for any lights, fuses, or anything.
Chris

I agree with big tee and red 58. Ive done it the same way many times,,w/no probs.
I had an old forklift with the set-up as Chris(Mt Tam Trucker)talked about. Its called an Orpin Switch,that ties the two batteries together. That worked fine also.
If your 6v system is in good shape,IE: good,clean grounds,and terminals,proper size cables,all connections are corrosion free,
motor tuned right,charging system dialed in,, you should have no starting problems.
Good Luck,
Marty

Not sure they are still available; I use one on my 55'Ford (first car)

Gocart879, just curious what truck you have that has a Leece Neville system on it? Those were fairly rare.

What fuses? Only fuses my truck has are for tail and stop lights.

Thats all the fuses.

12V source starting 6V not really a problem. Like many others have said it has been done for years; trucks, cars, tractors, etc.

Best to protect things, radio off, lights off. Like others have said, don't leave jumpers hooked up once truck starts. I have experienced two near-missed, one blown coil (full of hot oil) in a combine and a blown battery (nasty acid) in a Jeep. So don't rev up vehicle you are starting from, in fact I would not have it running and start with 12.2V versus 14.4 with alternator running. 6V starter will spin real fast.