The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 12 Volt Starter / Any Suggestions?

AD trucks came with a battery to frame strap and a frame to bellhousing strap. But I agree, best would be battery to starter bolt.

I imagine it would be more efficient to go right to the starter bolt, but that wouldn't be original. So, you need the same 2 gauge strap as you will also need the negative cable to be to carry the massive current of a 6v system.

I think this has a lot to do with most everyone I know's opinion of 6 volts. If you don't change that strap when you change the battery cable, it might not work any better than before. Red's idea is a good one and might save a lot of 6 volt systems from becoming 12 volt systems.

Good to mention here that you need a clean place on your frame for the connection for proper grounding.

Big Pink: The starter is matched to the flywheel. 6 volt starter to a 6 volt flywheel. 12 volt starter to a 12 volt flywheel. If you want to run the 12 volt genny and are willing to change the lights, put a ballast resistor in the coil line, add another one to the heater fan and install a "runtz" resistor to the fuel gauge you can keep the 6 volt starter. It will work at 12 volts and it will last a long time if you don't overheat it. You will then be free to use the cables and straps that are available. If you want to keep it all "stock" take the advice that has been offered and find a supplier for the large gauge cables and straps. Oh yeah, you will need a 12 volt regulator. No way is "better". A good working 6 volt system will work just fine. It might not have as much "reserve" power in the cold. That is open to debate. 12 volt change is an option, Clean working 6 volt is an option too. Either way will be some work and some dollars. Good news? You get to choose. Enjoy...:) One more thought, lights are getting harder to find for 6 volts but not that hard. Yet.