[Jim B]

For those of you older vehicles still running on 6 volt electrical, or for those that are willing to do a favor with your 12 volt vehicle and jump start a 6 volt in a pinch.

There are several ways to do this without burning up the electrical system, bulbs, etc of the 6 volt vehicle. The safest and easiest way I've found is the following.

Proceed as follows:
1. Make sure all lights are off (6volt vehicle). Disconnect the 6V battery ground terminal at the battery.

2. Connect your 12V jumpers to the 6V battery positive and disconnected 6V ground strap. Start the engine, quickly disconnect the 12V ground jumper and connect the ground strap back to the 6V battery.

Short term use of 12V's will not harm the fuel gauge, starter or ignition system. You should never connect a 12V battery to a 6V battery. It will boil the 6V battery and risk an explosion.

You can go to straight to the starter motor but you risk contact especially if it is in a hard to reach area. If you have any other ideas let's share them, I just think that the above is the most safest way of doing it.

There is only one company that makes a 6 volt portable jumper that you can purchase to keep for a rainy day $39.

Battery Butler

[Jack H]

Jim,
Good advise. My first 3 cars were 6V so I have done this a number of times. I have found that it is best if done as a 2 person job. One on the battery and one on the starter. This way the time of 12V to 6V is very short. Safer for the battery and electrical system.

[Rollbar]

Jim, you may want to draw a diagram so some folks can look @ it that way.

I have a old 1950 Earthmaster tractor (restored) & it's 6 volts as well.

Just a thought,
RollBar