6 volt vs 12 volt

["Dick Benjamin" <DickB@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have a modern type 320 Cu in V8 with quite high compression (9 to 1, I
think) in my 55 Hudson Hornet Hollywood, with a 6 volt system , in a car
with power windows, AC and all the other modern electrical conveniences
available in luxury cars of that era.  I have a group 2 battery, with 2-0
cables, and I have never had any difficulty starting in any weather (we've
driven the car over 30,000 miles in the last 14 years, in temperatures well
above 100 degrees many times, AC going full blast), and the starter spins
the engine at about the same RPM as the starter in my 12 volt Packards,
which use the same engine (though the Packards have the 352 or 374 Cu In
version of the engine).

 I also drive 48 and 47 Packards, and until recently a 54 Packard, all
straight 8, with engines of 356 or 359 Cu in, and the latter with
compression ratios near 9 to 1, and all of those cars have 2-0 battery
cables and high CCA batteries, and all of them start immediately in any
weather or circumstance, so I am satisfied that a well maintained car with
the proper battery and cables is just as reliable as a 12 volt car, although
I do admit that the 12 volt car is much more tolerant of poor maintenance
and less than optimum cables etc.

For completeness, I should point out that the older cars (47,48) use a gear
reduction starter, so it is indeed true that they crank quite slowly, often
giving the impression that they are having difficulty starting.  In fact,
the opposite is the case, as the gear reduction reduces the load on the
starter armature considerably, allowing much longer cranking time before the
starter overheats.

Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: Currell Pattie <currellpattie@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 9:12 PM
Subject: Re: IML: 6 volt vs 12 volt


> You're right that a properly set up 6 volt car, with timing set to spec,
> decent starter, good compression, etc. should encounter few starting
> problems.
>
> However, some older cars, such as the 37-48 Cadillac, have a flathead V-8
> for power. All of this cast iron works as a giant heat sink, and hot
starts
> can prove difficult beause of vapor locks (An electric fuel pump used as a
> primer can help here, however).
>
> Only pre-1951 Imperials have big cast straight 8 flathead engines, so most
6
> Volt Imperial owners here (1951 through 1953, or is it '54) will not have
> the problem. (The limos in '53 had 12 volts, as had been pointed out).
Just
> out of curiosity, does anyone out there that has a straight 8 have any
> more-than-occasional starting problems, especially when hot?
>
> Currell
>
>
> >From: <jdporter@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> >Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >Subject: Re: IML: 6 volt vs 12 volt
> >Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 14:15:25 -0500
> >
> >just remember, in a 6 volt system, any load device, ie. starter, lights,
> >radio, etc. will require approx. twice the current of a 12 volt system.
> >therefore, the wire size, good connections including grounds become more
> >important.
> >                                                            mo jo
> >   -----Original Message-----
> >   From: TheCarNutz@xxxxxxx <TheCarNutz@xxxxxxx>
> >   To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >   Date: Thursday, August 22, 2002 1:20 PM
> >   Subject: Re: IML: 6 volt vs 12 volt
> >
> >
> >   This subject has been brought up many times not only on this list but
> >others as well.
> >   Probably in more cases than not is the fact that it is psychological.
> >Many people think that when they hear a 6 volt car in the process of
> >starting, that it is turning over too slow and probably isn't going to
> >start.  The fact is, it isn't going to sound like a 4 cylinder 12 volt
rice
> >burner or any other 12 volt car in the process of starting.  Think about
> >it; with a couple of exceptions including the 53 Crown Imperial, all
> >American cars were 6 volt up until 1956!  There was no alternative and
> >everyone got along just fine.  And nowadays, unless you have a very tired
> >motor, poor grounding, or other wiring problem the 6 volt system will
start
> >your car just fine, and run an air conditioner as well.  The negative of
> >course, is if you want to install 12 volt accessories like sound systems,
> >etc.  I have owned many 6 volt cars over many years, and have never had
to
> >convert it to 12 volt.  Again, I believe it is simply a mind set over the
> >way it sounds when starting.
> >                                                                Bill B.
>
>
>
>
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