Has anyone used a 12 volt batt. to start a 6 volt engine?Will the starter burn up ? Does it need a 12 volt coil? I will change over to 12 later but for right now I just want to see if the engine will run. It's a 53 248 gmc in a 46 chevy with a floor starter and a gen. if that matters. Any advice would be appreciated.
6 volt starter 12 volt batt
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kenny c
Well-known member
It should work. We use to jump start a 1946 chevy truck with 12 volts every weekend for years and my dad converted all of his antique tractors to 12 volt and never changed any of the starters and they all work. If anything they turn over a little faster. you could use use a chrysler ballast resister to keep the coil from over heating if you are going to run it a lot on 12 volt.
RPM
The Rat Master!
It will work fine and crank really fast. I had a 57 Chevy gasser years ago and it had the Hilborn stack injectors, and it was hard to crank. We used to start it on 24volts. It had a Vertex mag in it so the voltage for the ignition did not matter. The starter lasted for ever.
rustybeercan
Never met a beer he didn't like!
Yes, it'll definitely work but don't burn it up by over cranking. Also, a 6v horn on a 12v system is one of my favs! 
Beercan
Beercan
Thank you guys for the input. That saves me from having to buy a 6 volt batt just to start the engine. I took the plugs out and they had some carbon on them. Turned the flywheel and it spun easy, but the carb linkages were stuck. After I rebuld the carb I will try to start it and let you know. Thanks again!
RPM
The Rat Master!
What about the rest of the system? Lights, radio, gauges.c. They will burn up on 12 volts.
earthman
Fascinated by rolling objects!
12 volts spin a 6 volt starter nicely. Like RBC said, don't crank it too long.
Yankee Transplant
He started out with nothing, he still has most of
your points is not going to work 12 volts will cook them coil to Id say . go to a ford tractor company or a good parts house and get a 12 to a 6 volt reducer .. people use them all the time on the old 8-n and 9-n ford tractors , it will work just have to protect the points and condesor and coil .
Yankee Transplant
He started out with nothing, he still has most of
all this little ceramic thing does is take in 12 and spits out 6 ,, wire it in ahead of the coil and your done oh yea , your generator take off the belt or it will be gone too , well you really need to unhook the gen or it will still cook it
Yankee Transplant
He started out with nothing, he still has most of
Anyone else want to add to this ,, I dont think im wrong but if I am , your not going to hurt my feelings by saying so [S
Yankee Transplant
He started out with nothing, he still has most of
Ive got a 6 volt motorcycle horn on my 30 chevy , you just dont hold it very longYes, it'll definitely work but don't burn it up by over cranking. Also, a 6v horn on a 12v system is one of my favs!
Beercan
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MercuryMac
Builder Junky!
I have done the partial 12 volt switch quite a bit in my life and I've never had a problem with the 6v starter. The starter turns over faster and goes forever. You should add a ballast resistor in front of the coil, if you're going to run your motor more than a few minutes. I haven't left a 6 volt generator wired up to 12 volts so I don't know what will happen, but I would undo it just in case.
Yankee Transplant
He started out with nothing, he still has most of
Well pops ? did ya get it to start up ?
Yankee Transplant
He started out with nothing, he still has most of
pops drop some gas down the carb and i bet it starts about the 3rd round
MercuryMac
Builder Junky!
Yes you will; with pictures.
Keep on tinkering.
Keep on tinkering.
