VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt 6 volt portable jump starter

Does anybody out there sell a 6 volt portable jump starter? All I see are 12 volt units.
Would sure beat having to lug around a spare 6 volt battery.

Thanks

Rick,
I haven't seen a 6-volt one either.

Although hardly ever needed, I generally jump my 41 using a 12-volt JNC/Air (jump starter). I think the consensus is that you won't hurt anything if you turn off the lights and any other juice using accessory before the jump. And, don't grind too long.

My JNC jumper was given to me two years ago and it really holds a charge well and is very reliable. It is heavy and such is one of the ways of determining a good jumper. Beware of those light weight ones, especially ones having all sorts of gadgets attached. Even on mine the only accessory is the air-pump and it doesn't work real well (kind of slow, as expected). The jumper, however, is everything one could ask for.

I recommend the JNC but I'm sure there are other quality ones available, as well, but it is far superior to all the others I've had.
Charlie

Why would anyone want to carry a spare battery?

...must be some sorta anxiety complex...lol

For a secondary source owing to the unreliability of the primary. Especially when the primary is usually reliable but has proven not to be 100% so or has aged.

The secondary source may have been temporarily robbed from its role as a primary source for another vehicle or utility with the robber's intent to replace it when the useful period of temporary back-up is over.

The alternative to this situation is to always carry a set of jumper cables (which usually annoys those you ask for assistance), park on a hill, carry a good jump starter (as inquired about) or always park park on a hill (something that isn't always easy to do anywhere except Tennessee or West (BG) Virginia.)

Now, do you see? Good. Glad to help explain. Grin.
Charlie

Dear Charlie , I am now more confused than ever...

Sincerely , Kevin

Kevin,
I know. I read back over this and I can see why. It made sense at the time. Does anyone know what I was trying to say? Grin. Just more ramblings, I guess.
Charlie

I think I have the jist of what you are saying. In 11 years I have not had to jump start my 32 although last year in West B.G. Virginia I did need help while on tour as it quit on the road. When traveling with a group there is always help. Some even seem to enjoy seeing a broken down vehicle, as long as it's not theirs!

Your point for those who don't understand is exactly that--when your main battery fails. All's well and good when you're in a group, but when you solo on back roads, a little preparation goes a long way. You can ruin your 6v coil, burn out your fuel gage and ammeter jumping a 6v with 12v. You don't take a boat out without a back up battery or motor, and the same goes for a car. Lastly, why would one have starting problems you ask? Well, if you're running a freshly rebuilt later 235 higher comp motor on a 6v system, it takes a little more cranking to turn her over.

There is a heavy duty 6, 12, 24 volt jumper available; heavy duty=heavy and expensive.

I owned a boat for years and it never dawned on me to carry an extra battery...extra beer maybe .

The older the vehicle the more chances you have to get problems and mostly at the most inconvenient times In the past I used to ride an old BMW motorcycle (6V). I never went away without an extra fully charged battery. It was guaranteed if I did not have the spare battery with me It should give me trouble with charging.

Jianis

Interesting...Do you recall who makes it...?

I have jump started all 3 three of my 6 volt cars plus others with 12 volt batteries many times and have never hurt my fuel gauge, spark coil or any thing else as long as all lights are turned off, that includes the dome light if it comes on with the door open. I often carry a 12 volt booster just in case, I do it in my boat too but have never had to use it. Being stranded in a boat is far worse than in a car because you can't walk for help!

Being stranded in a boat is far worse than in a car because you can't walk for help!

and you cant apply the brakes either....

Thanks to all and "Uncle Ed" for weighing in. Good point on the 12v jump. Apparently only connecting a 12 long enough to turn it over isn't damaging??

RichardJ--if you can tell us where and who makes the heavy duty unit, there seems to be a lot of interest.

Thanks.

As long as the engine on the 12 volt system is not running while you jump the 6 volt, it shouldn't cause any problems other than any lights that get left on.

I'll make a run out to the refuge in a day or two and check on the brand name and model number; don't get out there much now that I'm retired.

I went out to the refuge and found out that my memory had played tricks on me. The jumper is only for 12 and 24 volts. Sorry 'bout that.

Charlie. In the Missouri Ozarks we are quite familiar with "the Hill" starter. In the '50's we Made Do with what we had . A good battery was a luxury if you were lucky enough to have a car. I had a '40 Chevrolet 2-door sedan when I was in high school. Had lots of old cars since then but still love those Chevies. The '40 Chev was what inspired me to restore the '41 Coupe I have today.I restored the '41 in the winter of 1999. Everything works and is original or like original. If you get a chance brag a little on "41 Chevys . We need to stick together. JIM

[quote=styleline51]Does anybody out there sell a 6 volt portable jump starter? All I see are 12 volt units.
Would sure beat having to lug around a spare 6 volt battery.

Thanks

[/quote]

I run a small electrical R&D company. My company has developed a new 6V jumpstarter with very high cold cranking amps. It is capacitor based and recharges instantly. If anyone here would like me to send a free unit in exchange for user feedback please reply on the thread or send me an email. kokeeffe@maxxstart.com

When will they go on the market? Retail price? Will it work on all types of 6V batteries? 8V? Email sent.
Thx

I think this is a great concept and hope the unit will be able to be adapted to be able to use in country that run 230/240 volt power.
I have replied to the email direct inquiring as i would love to think they would be available in New Zealand and Australia

rick, i have used my 12v portable jumper for maybe 6 years on the '30 (6v) numerous times. really spins the starter. that's good for overcoming fussy starting in the spring. too much sustained 12v spin might fry the starter though. be careful; maybe 4 or 5 seconds at a time. jim

"the chevy six clatter means nothings the matter."

kokeeffee, that is a very needed product! I have sent you an email. Looking forward to hearing from you.

One more item of concern is your gauges and gas tank sending unit. The starter will work fine on 12 volt all day long, but your gauges and sending unit will burn out on 12 volts.

I tried to adapt a 12 volt jump starter by replacing the sealed glass cell 12 battery inside with a 6 volt. Unfortunately, it takes a lot more current to jump a 6 volt system and the glass cell batteries only are available in 12amp/hour units. My thought was to start a biz selling these modified units but it's back to the drawing board.