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| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 16 | Hi all, dumb ol' me again. Have a question for you. Have a 1950-ish 3100, 6v, with a 55 (I think) 1st series engine. Burn through a battery about every 22 months. Wondering if this is normal. Don't plan to convert to 12v unless absolutely necessary, but recently a friend put a thought in my head.
Is the 6v system strong enough for the engine? Do have a starter booster installed, but the question of the voltage disparity by the friend got me to thinking.
Is there something else I should think about to assist with the cranking power to the starter? Have a wiring project planned eventually and do have the harness bought. Battery cables are good and terminals clean. Starting isn't a problem as long as I don't forget to keep the Tender on it, or drive her once a week or so.
Intend to keep Mabel as original or period-correct as possible.
Thanks to you all for answering my occasional questions. Have learned a lot here! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | Six volts will be fine if you make sure you have clean grounds and that the cables are sized appropriately. It won't hurt if you remove the grounds and clean them up a bit and tighten them well. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | Agreed. There's nothing wrong with a properly maintained 6v system. You don't say what battery you buy but the highest CCA rating that will fit won't hurt. Some expouse the use of 00 cables but my experience is that 1 gauge will work fine (that's what I use with great success) and 1 gauge are much easier to find. 12v cables are usually 4 gauge.
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| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | Overchargeing is the death of a battery. Put a voltmeter on it & run up the engine a little. It should notb go much over 7 volts. 7.5 tops.
Like the guys say 1 gauge cables as short as possible. If the ground battery cable doesn't go to the engine or trans. a heavy cable from frame to engine is nessesary.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | I got over five years out of my first battery. I bought the battery on clearance at Wallmart for $20. If it is overcharging, you will notice the fluid level in the battery will keep dropping.
Last edited by truckernix; 01/28/2012 2:34 AM.
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