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Difference Between 6v And 12v Starter?

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by DanStew, Nov 16, 2016.

  1. Nov 16, 2016
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I am going to crank up the Jeep this week for the first time.
    I believe the starter was swapped to a 12v since there was a GM alternator wired up when i got the rig. But is there a way to tell it was 6v starter? OR does it matter much to run 12v in a 6v starter? The jeep is a 48, when did they go to 12v in the jeeps?
     
  2. Nov 16, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I've heard many times that the 6V starter is fine on 12V. I think lots of Jeepers have done it. Doubling the voltage will make it turn faster, and it will also heat up twice as fast as when turning on 6V. If the engine starts quickly, it won't matter.
     
    DanStew likes this.
  3. Nov 16, 2016
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Thanks Tim!!
     
  4. Nov 16, 2016
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    Just get some fire extinguisher in case .... Test before!
     
  5. Nov 16, 2016
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    The material (copper wire) in the 6V is very heavy compared to that of a 12V. Like Tim said, it will spin much faster and will heat up quicker so you can't stay on the starter very long and you need to wait long for cool down. Other than that the starter will likely last a long time if it is in good shape now.
     
  6. Nov 16, 2016
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
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    I've run a 6v starter in my 12v 3B for almost 20 years. Never noticed it getting hot.
     
  7. Nov 16, 2016
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Well your right if your engine starts quickly. If you have engine trouble and require quite a bit of cranking, you will find the starter getting much warmer/hotter than it would on 6v.
     
  8. Nov 16, 2016
    wally

    wally SSSSTER

    upper merrimack...
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    i also run an original 6v starter on a 12v conversion...in my '48 dump truck. been that way for nine years. so far, so good, even with a few extended crankings. the engine is a 237 flat six.
     
  9. Nov 17, 2016
    GeoffreyL

    GeoffreyL Well-Known Member

    moorestown, nj
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    yup, like said above, i have a 6v in my 2a and 3b and my dad has one in his 2a. both work fine on 12v.
     
  10. Nov 18, 2016
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    I'm using the 6 volt starter, as well as 6 volt motors in both heaters.
     
  11. Nov 18, 2016
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    It cranks just fine. :) Now to figure out why my fan is hitting the lower radiator hose :(
     
  12. Nov 18, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Motor mounts?
     
  13. Nov 19, 2016
    wally

    wally SSSSTER

    upper merrimack...
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    i put runtz-style voltage reducers inline with the power source for both my heater fan and wiper motor in my dodge. those motors do NOT like 12 volts, and because of the typical use (used for more than 20 seconds), the windings will let out the smoke. added another reducer for the gas gauge. ymmv.
     
  14. Nov 19, 2016
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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  15. Nov 19, 2016
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Theyve lasted me two winters, and an unknown amount of time before I bought the Jeep.
     
  16. Nov 20, 2016
    wally

    wally SSSSTER

    upper merrimack...
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    they may work for a long time. or not.

    the conversion in my dodge was installed by a PO. the blower fan worked, but there were dead spots. eventually, the solder from the windings melted off, and the blower stopped working. i took it apart and resoldered, and installed voltage reducers inline with he power source. the blower functions better than when i got the truck in 2007, and doesn't have dead spots. that was 6 years ago. as stated, ymmv.
     
  17. Nov 23, 2016
    Desert Runner

    Desert Runner Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    The 6V starter issue is discussed a lot in the Yesterday's Tractors - Discussion Forums forms. Since there is no 12V starter option for a ford 8N, 9N Jubilee tractors. Mostly they add a 6 to 12" piece of metal to drop the voltage when they convert to a 12V system. When I bought a Jubilee a couple of years ago it needed points but if you cranked it long enough it would start, but I burned up the starter. When I replaced it I added a 12" piece of metal, and new points, it doesn't even get warm now
    [​IMG]
    Jay
     
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