6 volt in line
- Thread starter NK Nance
- Start date
Barry-ct
Well-known member
Make sure your cables are heavy enough for the job. Also make sure there isn't any corrosion in them. That drops down the voltage flowing to the starter. 6 volts needs clean grounds to work properly. Post what you're doing to get it to start. We need details to zero in on what might be wrong.
You need 2/0 cables with all clean tight grounds and connections with a good battery and it will crank strong and fast. The small 6 volt Optima battery works great on these cars with no acid problems. If an old Ford don't start on the first or second revolution there is no gas, a week coil, bad condenser, low voltage to the coil from dirty ignition switch or loose wires on the resistor. Always start with a fuuly charged battery when looking for problems. These are the most common problems. G.M.
Not saying I'd do this, but there are some 'trick' parts out there... There are 'trick' solenoids that put two 6V batteries in series (12V) for starting, then revert to two 6V batteries in parallel for running & charging. I would not do this, and I would follow the tips of the above posts. Solve the 'problem'.
In the event you have it 'hot-rodded' (high compression), and you really, really need an occassional 'boost', I'd read what rumbleseat (Paul) has posted over on the tech site, regarding a solution for his 34 roadster. I've put the same system on one of my cars, and it works great. I prefer not to post details here - JMO
In the event you have it 'hot-rodded' (high compression), and you really, really need an occassional 'boost', I'd read what rumbleseat (Paul) has posted over on the tech site, regarding a solution for his 34 roadster. I've put the same system on one of my cars, and it works great. I prefer not to post details here - JMO
BILL WZOREK
Well-known member
bobH
Tech site ??? WHERE / WHAT / HOW do i get there
THANKS
BILL W
Tech site ??? WHERE / WHAT / HOW do i get there
THANKS
BILL W
4dFord/SC
Well-known member
I believe he's referring to the Ford Flathead V8 forum: http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm
Mike51Merc
Well-known member
I agree with the responses above. Batteries can be connected two different ways. "Performance" depends on what task you want to perform.
Parallel connection (positive to positive and negative to negative) results in the same voltage but twice the current (amp) capacity. It's like having a bigger 6 volt battery with twice the storage, like having a bigger gas tank. Your starter will crank at the same speed for twice as long before the batteries run out of power.
Series connection (positive to negative) results in the voltage of each battery being added together 6+6 = 12 volts. Your starter will crank twice as fast.
It's worth repeating that a properly maintained 6 volt system will work fine. Adding voltage is not a cure, just a band-aid on the underlying problem.
Parallel connection (positive to positive and negative to negative) results in the same voltage but twice the current (amp) capacity. It's like having a bigger 6 volt battery with twice the storage, like having a bigger gas tank. Your starter will crank at the same speed for twice as long before the batteries run out of power.
Series connection (positive to negative) results in the voltage of each battery being added together 6+6 = 12 volts. Your starter will crank twice as fast.
It's worth repeating that a properly maintained 6 volt system will work fine. Adding voltage is not a cure, just a band-aid on the underlying problem.
FlatheadTed
Well-known member
I replaced the 6v battery in my 34 recently .I went for the smallest VW battery I could get because of cost ,It starts instantly .
COE Dan
Senior Member
A couple of notes...
1) If you connect 2 batteries in parallel (for more 6V current capacity), you don't need larger cables leaving the battery. You're circuits won't be drawing more current. You just have more capacity before the batteries die.
2) If you decide to use a 12V at start setup (I wouldn't recommend it unless you go with a full 12V conversion), make sure it routes to the starter only. If you run 12V through your coil, condenser, etc., you will likely burn them up in short order.
3) A note on Optima batteries: I found that Optima 6V batteries tend to have lower RC (Reserve Capacity) values than regular lead acid batteries...not always but frequently. This means you have less total time to crank your engine before the battery can no longer turn the starter motor. Most folks go with the Optima for the storage advantages (no leak, maintenance free, no acid vapors, etc) vs. the old style regular batteries. So...if you've got a hard starting car, the Optima will appear weak (i.e. die quickly) when it's merely a limitation of the design.
Lastly, I concur with the other advice. Don't use 2 batteries in parallel to solve another issue. Check all connections, clean grounds, check battery (sometimes measuring voltage doesn't tell you everything...take the battery to a auto parts store and ask them to do a load check...sometimes batteries short- or open-circuit under heavy loads like starting), check circuits...all good advice.
Best of luck...
COE Dan
1) If you connect 2 batteries in parallel (for more 6V current capacity), you don't need larger cables leaving the battery. You're circuits won't be drawing more current. You just have more capacity before the batteries die.
2) If you decide to use a 12V at start setup (I wouldn't recommend it unless you go with a full 12V conversion), make sure it routes to the starter only. If you run 12V through your coil, condenser, etc., you will likely burn them up in short order.
3) A note on Optima batteries: I found that Optima 6V batteries tend to have lower RC (Reserve Capacity) values than regular lead acid batteries...not always but frequently. This means you have less total time to crank your engine before the battery can no longer turn the starter motor. Most folks go with the Optima for the storage advantages (no leak, maintenance free, no acid vapors, etc) vs. the old style regular batteries. So...if you've got a hard starting car, the Optima will appear weak (i.e. die quickly) when it's merely a limitation of the design.
Lastly, I concur with the other advice. Don't use 2 batteries in parallel to solve another issue. Check all connections, clean grounds, check battery (sometimes measuring voltage doesn't tell you everything...take the battery to a auto parts store and ask them to do a load check...sometimes batteries short- or open-circuit under heavy loads like starting), check circuits...all good advice.
Best of luck...
COE Dan
FlatheadTed
Well-known member
HAHa Bob thats not bad, Sounds like a flathead .
Hmmmmmmm, Reminds me about two battery cables going into a bar for a quick one, positive says to negative, while we're in here don't start anything !