Starter runs on 12V but not 6V

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#223283 - 10/31/11 11:52 AM Starter runs on 12V but not 6V
Aldo Grease Monkey Registered: 09/26/08 Posts: 27 Loc: Toronto, Ont, Canada	Question in regards to my starter for 1927 Chevy. I hade my car running a few times by using a 12volt battery on the starter for testing. All was great and the starter is original made for 6volt. I went to the store and bought a 6volt car battery. I hooked up the 6volt car battery but nothing happens. It almost turns the engine over but it does not have the power. But the 12volts has no problem turning the engine over. It’s a brand new 6volt battery capable of putting out 700Amps. I tested each cell with hydrometer and the reading is good. Just to clarify, I want to use 6V because the rest of the car is 6V. Any thoughts?
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#223291 - 10/31/11 12:26 PM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: Aldo]
Chipper Registered: 11/22/01 Posts: 10239 Loc: The Great State of TEXAS	To use a 6 volt battery you need 6 volt cables (at least 2 gauge or larger [smaller number]). The connections must be clean and tight. Once that is done the starter should turn over the engine. I still use 6 volt batteries in all my pre-'55 Chevys. _________________________ How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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#223614 - 11/03/11 08:21 AM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: Aldo]
RichardJ Backyard Mechanic Registered: 05/09/11 Posts: 394 Loc: Colorado	Originally Posted By: Aldo Question in regards to my starter for 1927 Chevy. I hade my car running a few times by using a 12volt battery on the starter for testing. All was great and the starter is original made for 6volt. I went to the store and bought a 6volt car battery. I hooked up the 6volt car battery but nothing happens. It almost turns the engine over but it does not have the power. But the 12volts has no problem turning the engine over. It’s a brand new 6volt battery capable of putting out 700Amps. I tested each cell with hydrometer and the reading is good. Just to clarify, I want to use 6V because the rest of the car is 6V. Any thoughts? Remove, clean and reconnect all ground cables/straps and the positive cable to the starter. If there is corrosion in the cable, replace it. Bad grounds and corrosion are major reasons for things not working properly. You may also need to clean/replace the brushes in the starter and clean the commutator. _________________________ Richard Commerce City, CO
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#223763 - 11/04/11 06:16 PM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: RichardJ]
strgenrebuilder Shade Tree Mechanic Registered: 12/21/10 Posts: 39 Loc: Grand Ledge, MI, USA	A failing starter will sometimes come to life with 12 Volts. If cables are correct size and clean, then your starter probably needs a little attention. Too many people convert cars to 12 volts for this reason, it's really only a temporary fix though. Let me know if I can help. _________________________ Jason Advanced Electrical Rebuilders www.aerrebuild.com jason@aerrebuild.com
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#223993 - 11/07/11 03:54 PM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: Aldo]
Aldo Grease Monkey Registered: 09/26/08 Posts: 27 Loc: Toronto, Ont, Canada	Replaced all cables and removed all corrosion but no luck. Starter switch to battery cable is 4gauge so I will return it for heavier gauge. All ground connections seem good but I will double check. Will take starter apart and check brushes and other parts. I also have a hunch it’s the starter about to go. Thanks
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#224003 - 11/07/11 05:51 PM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: Aldo]
Uncle Ed Oil Can Mechanic Registered: 08/30/06 Posts: 714 Loc: Iowa	Replaced all cables and removed all corrosion but no luck. Starter switch to battery cable is 4gauge so I will return it for heavier gauge. All ground connections seem good but I will double check. Will take starter apart and check brushes and other parts. (I also have a hunch it’s the starter about to go.) Thanks [/quot It may just need a good cleaning and some brushes and or bushings. _________________________ Ed
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#224518 - 11/12/11 07:50 PM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: Aldo]
Aldo Grease Monkey Registered: 09/26/08 Posts: 27 Loc: Toronto, Ont, Canada	I decided to take the starter apart and see no apparent problems. Everything is fairly clean, brushes good, no noticeable shorts. Is there any bench test I can do on the armature or field coil with an ohmmeter or megger?
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#224520 - 11/12/11 07:57 PM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: Aldo]
Junkyard Dog Registered: 11/23/01 Posts: 20041 Loc: Eagle Point, Oregon	Quote: Starter switch to battery cable is 4gauge so I will return it for heavier gauge. Did you change out the battery cable to a 00 gauge? _________________________ The Mangy Old Mutt "If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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#224534 - 11/13/11 12:36 AM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: Aldo]
AntiqueMechanic Registered: 12/02/01 Posts: 7721 Loc: Vancouver, WA	I suggest you use a pair of jumper cables and test run the starter on the bench. CAUTION, THE STARTER MUST BE RESTRAINED OR IT WILL CAUSE DAMAGE. Use a 6-volt battery for the test. _________________________ RAY Member Chat Group - Non-Geographical Region Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/ If I had known that growing old would be this much fun---I'd have done it sooner!
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#224598 - 11/13/11 02:45 PM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: Aldo]
ArtM Shade Tree Mechanic Registered: 06/15/07 Posts: 85 Loc: Tucson AZ	Aldo, To answer your question, yes, you can test the armature and the fields with an ohmmeter or a megger. I had a starter with the same simptoms as you.I removed the armature and found an 82 ohm ground with an ohmmeter. Luckily I was able to repair the ground and the starter now works good as new. To check the fields, you would first have to disconnect the field leads from the starter case. This will remove the ground return path. Then if the ohmmeter shows a ground, the field coils probably would need to be replaced. I think replacement coils are avalable somewhere. Good luck with your search. ArtM
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#224617 - 11/13/11 05:02 PM Re: Starter runs on 12V but not 6V [Re: ArtM]
Andys29 Registered: 11/08/08 Posts: 1037 Loc: Rome PA	ArtM, A megger, I have not heard that word in along time not many people would have one of those.
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