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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> General Pre 1958 Canadian Pontiac Discussions -> Boosting a 6 volt
Post Info TOPIC: Boosting a 6 volt
Jimmyvonviggle


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Boosting a 6 volt
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This might seem obvious to many of you, but how do I boost my 6 volt battery? I currently have it on a 6 volt trickle charger but I have a feeling this will take forever. So what is the right and safe way to do this?

 

Thanks in advance.



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4SPEED427


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Only with another 6 volt I'm afraid, and those are tough to find.

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CdnGMfan


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I have a 6v / 12v battery charger that has both trickle charge & jump start settings that I bought at Canadian Tire more than 25 years ago. You should be able to pick up one somewhere still.



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seventy2plus2


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You can safely boostva 6v battery with a 12v. Be quick about it, and don't leave the cables on very long, but you can safely do it. I know this as I when they were using my 72 GMC for season 2 of Fargo, they needed to boost an early 50s car. Fortunately it had been converted to 12v, but I queried a knowledgeable mechanic that had a number of early 50s cars, and he gave me the advice I listed above.

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-Robert M-


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A +1 to the gentleman above.

 

I had a '49 Cadillac (6V) that was problematic at times to start, especially when hot. I carried a long set of smaller gauge (to act as current limiting) jumper cables - just for emergencies.

Just as the gent said, quick like. Connect, start, disconnect immediately. I would have the 12V vehicle  off as it is a momentary tremendous current draw from it's electrical system.

Saved me a few times..

 

 



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4SPEED427


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I've seen it done but I would hesitate to recommend it online!

I once blew up a battery (not boosting 12 to 6 though) and I don 't ever want to experience that acid shower again.

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CdnGMfan


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Although I wasn't boosting a 6v with a 12v, one time years ago on a very cold winter's night I boosted somebody at work. When I hooked up my car to theirs I saw my voltmeter peg hard at the discharge end. The other driver should have waited a minute or 2 but instead just hit the starter and kept cranking endlessly. It ended up blowing my internally regulated alternator, not right away but soon after.  Today I would just tell them I will call CAA for them.

 



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In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...

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Mike Ward MB


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In my younger days, driving a city dealership tow truck with a booster pack on board, the connection was 12 volt but for those stubborn vehicles I had a hand-held switch that would apply 24 Volts. A momentary hit would sure liven things up. Never blew anything up but it sure got things started.

I would think the same would apply hitting a 6 volt system with 12 Volts.

As others have commented, get it done quickly. Boosting vehicle should not be running to avoid damage to electronics, and make the final connection to negative remote from the battery to avoid any spark from the cable causing fume ignition. I would expect that the final connection between the two different voltages will spark a little.

Also, make sure all lights are turned off and radio is off.

One should always protect yourself from the possibility of catastrophic battery failure when boosting, or even just working near the battery. Acid on your skin or clothing will do damage and at the worst in your face, can be life changing.



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Jimmyvonviggle


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Thanks for all the replies. I took the slow and safe route and let my 6v trickle charger get it to 50%. I then started it and let the car run. I have to admit every time I boost a car I always expect the worst and wear glasses at a minimum.

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seventy2plus2


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Boosting a 12v battery with 24v will result in an exploding 12v battery, that's why I was a bit surprised the same is not true when boosting a 6v battery with 12v.

(I once worked at a commercial bus company, and most of our buses were 24v, but one was 12v and someone forgot and boosted it with 24v. boom.)

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amedeo


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mostly powere differences do not mix very well. best to check out kijjiji for a used battery charger that accomodates 12v and 6v, i purchased one very cheapl, lot of young bucks throwing out stuff their dads and grand dads have in garages,


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Boomer


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Most chargers now are dual voltage both 6 and 12 charging with 1 amp 12 volt for a short time to start should not hurt anything I have done it many times but just did the bendix drive and cleaned the starter made a hell of a difference

 

Mike



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markus


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Done it many times on tractors where you can connect rite to the starter. you have to go directly to the starter. and leave the  battery out of the equation .

So you are not actually boosting  you are just running 12 volts to spin the starter . 6 cyl cars its easy because you can access the starter.

Thats my 3.5 cents

Mark



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