Charging a 6V

36 Ply · May 17, 2009, 08:41:10 AM

Hello, Go-

The picture that you posted is exactly the same as the one I use. It works fine and I have had no problems with it. Thanks for posting the picture.

Regards,
Pat O'Connor

Go Fleiter · May 17, 2009, 05:15:45 AM

I use this kind of Batterie post switches. I have to open the hood.
I have one rotary switch under the dash too, cutting only ignition and car harness, not the regulator.

36 Ply · May 16, 2009, 11:46:43 PM

I've got one of the small rotary switches on my battery post, and it's worked fine for several months. The battery is under the front seat of my '36; I just have to remember to turn it off when I'm not driving the car.

Regards,
Pat O'Connor

FourDoor · May 16, 2009, 12:26:45 PM

I agree with John,the small rotary switches that go on the battery post won't carry the current required for 6 volt starting. They will carry the current used in a 12 volt system. I assume that's what they're meant for? For a 6 volt system you need one of those battery switches the truckers use. It has a toggle type handle on it and they're used to switch around the batteries on large trucks. They're meant to mount on a panel through a 1/2" or 3/4" hole. They can carry the 200 to 300 amps a 6 volt starter requires no problem. NAPA sells them for around $25. The best way to mount them is to take a 1/4" thick bar of steel about 1 " wide,about 4" long, and drill a hole in each end about 1/2" inboard, centered. One hole will have to match your starter switch stud and other end will have to match the studs on the new battery switch. Disconnect the battery cable at the starter switch and mount one end of the bar on the starter switch stud with the bar pointing out toward the left side of the car. Then mount? the battery switch on the other end on the bar. Then put the battery cable on the other battery switch stud. You need only lift the hood to switch the battery on or off. And like Tod says you can connect a battery charger to the battery switch stud with the battery cable on it and any ground. Painting the switch and bar black is also a good way to 'hide' it from view.

John Hendricks · May 16, 2009, 10:06:35 AM

I tried one of those little devices with the threaded knob on the top to disconnect the battery. It wouldn't carry enuff current to start the starter motor.

TodFitch · May 15, 2009, 06:49:10 PM

On my 1933 the battery is under the driver's seat so it is not convenient to get at for charging. I simply open the hood and connect the positive cable from the charger to a ground someplace on the engine block and the negative cable to where the battery cable attaches to the starter switch. Works fine. And that method requires having the battery cables installed.

Go Fleiter · May 15, 2009, 04:10:35 PM

You can put it where it fits.
I prefer putting it not on ground pos,
so I would put it on the neg on Yours.

PS.: I have a small metal case fixed in the shadow under the horns containing 2 batt. joggers for my 2 batteries.
They have fuses and a 230 V receptacle, so I only disconnect the 230 V mains cable and connect the batteries bacjk.
Always freshly charged batteries never have failed in immediate starting! (6 V System, 2. batt. gives 6 more V while starting on
starter and ignition only).

Greetings! Go

Carmen · May 15, 2009, 03:52:41 PM

I never thought about the battery shut off, on the 41 do I put it on the positive or negative post?

Thanks

Carmen

plym_46 · May 15, 2009, 02:29:46 PM

always pos to pos and neg to neg.? If you need to do a quick charge at high amps I would remove the cables from the car, but for normal charge, 4 to 6 amps, and for the trickle charger, just hook it up.? You might want to buy on of those clamps that allow you do shut the battery off when your ar not using the car for a while.? just a twist of the knob isolated the battery.

http://www.armadaleautoparts.com/userimages/Electrical/battery_switch.jpg

Carmen · May 15, 2009, 12:45:13 PM

Since my 41 is a positive ground when I charge it with a battery charger do I have to take off the car battery cables. The positive charger cable goes to the positive battery post and the negative charger cable goes the negative batter post.

Also if I use a battery tender charger do I have to do the same thing. I have a battery tender installed on my Jeep and it is always hooked up with the charging wires coming out of the sides, I don't even have to open up the hood. I just plug it in and walk away.

Carmen