Would 12 volts on a 6 volt system kill your ignition system if its not converted?

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AuroraGirl

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Also, would a generator putting 6 volts to a 12 volt battery lend to it, if in bad shape, exploding?

Asking for a friend
 

Jethro224

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Need a lot more info.
I wouldn't just hook up a 12 volt battery. Minimum you'd need a 12 volt coil and alternater. Also plenty of the old 6 volt stuff was positive ground. Any 6 volt bulbs need replaced. Sketchy wiring??? Lots of questions to answer.
Doo a search on the intergoogle for how to convert.
 

Grit dog

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First question. Yes.
Second question. A 6V charger will not charge a 12V battery.
As to exploding? Never tried it because it’s a dumb idea and won’t work anyway.
Based on your pointed, yet vague questions, I’m guessing your “friend” is trying to start an old 6V vehicle sitting in a pasture in WI with an old 12V battery that has been laying in the corner of the barn. Am I close?

If you ( I mean your friend) want to get it running, either buy a 6v batt or convert the vehicle to 12V or just go tip a couple cows in that pasture for entertainment instead. 12V will fry a 6V system.
 

jjester6000

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Also, would a generator putting 6 volts to a 12 volt battery lend to it, if in bad shape, exploding?

Asking for a friend

The starter would probably be fine, but you'll need a 12v coil to get it to run though.

Also, the generator would not make enough voltage to charge the battery, but you could modify it adding a step-up transformer before the A/C rectifier in the generator.
(I've been trying to get my 1951 Studebaker running for the past few days)
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I did have the system hot-wired for 12v, but I did eventually break down and buy a proper 6v battery.
 

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First question. Yes.
Second question. A 6V charger will not charge a 12V battery.
As to exploding? Never tried it because it’s a dumb idea and won’t work anyway.
Based on your pointed, yet vague questions, I’m guessing your “friend” is trying to start an old 6V vehicle sitting in a pasture in WI with an old 12V battery that has been laying in the corner of the barn. Am I close?

If you ( I mean your friend) want to get it running, either buy a 6v batt or convert the vehicle to 12V or just go tip a couple cows in that pasture for entertainment instead. 12V will fry a 6V system.
Thats what I feared, gentlemen.
Fried my-er,, my friends 1951 massey harris tractor with 12 volt. Explains why it blew up(battery)
 

legopnuematic

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Starters and generators are 6v are fine on 12, just the voltage regulator would need to be changed. can jump a 6v system on 12 no problem, just don't try to use the lights or anything. if the charging system works then it'll run without a battery at all. Lots of people used to run 8 volt battery's in a 6v system to get a little extra punch in the winter. The coil likely won't care if its only for a short while, otherwise put a ballast resistor in line with it or use a 12v internal resistor coil.

Positive vs negative ground doesn't make any difference 6v to 12v

Jumped a few trucks and tractors with 12 and never had any issues. If it charge then don't leave the 12v batt hooked up, but if it has no generator/not outputting itll run.
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AuroraGirl

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Nah it totally ran a 12 volt battery far too long, depleted 2 charges(albeit a weak battery) and jumped a few times probably goiing well over 12, all with a bad GROUND strap(got red) and eventually blowing up the battery. That was when I attempted to start it. Good thing i was behind the fender
 

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You can fry the points and condenser sending 12v to them. As I recall, even late 60s vehicles used a resistance wire before the power to the points and condenser. The HEI units need 12v, but the stock units should not.
 

Craig Nedrow

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Ran a twelve volt battery with a six volt starter for years on my 53 chevy, replaced the gen with a 12v alternator, and all the light bulbs. Use a ceramic resister for the points.

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There's no wrong answer and the points don't matter.
 

legopnuematic

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Points and most condensers are not voltage sensitive, as long as the condenser is the correct microfarad rating for the application it should be fine

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Well I feel the battery exploding likely caused the no-spark, and everything rusty and old probably could use a once-over
 

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^ Im confused... but the battery exploding in the tractor was not due to it being 12V but rather a live short possibly, Bad ground, warped battery plates low on water, causing a spark , or over charging.
However not knowing what happened and not knowing the whole story, makes it tough to say.
 

AuroraGirl

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^ Im confused... but the battery exploding in the tractor was not due to it being 12V but rather a live short possibly, Bad ground, warped battery plates low on water, causing a spark , or over charging.
However not knowing what happened and not knowing the whole story, makes it tough to say.
It was a short circuit because the lead plates touched.
 

Grit dog

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It was a short circuit because the lead plates touched.
Then why did you ask if it was from charging with 6 volts if you knew that. Also curious how you know that (albeit a viable cause of explosion)?
 

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