VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt 12 volt timing lite

will a 12 volt timing lite work on a 6 volt 50 chevy

In most cases no, unless you use a separate 12v battery to power it. None of my old ones did. I bought an INNOVA 3568 on the recommendation of someone on the AACA forums, supposedly it works on 6 volts just fine. Unfortunately I have not tried it yet so I can't vouch for it. Timing lights powered by flashlight batteries also exist, but a little harder to find.

I bought a cheapy 12 volt timing light when I brought the 38 home. It works fine on 6 volts. The light isn't quite as bright.

thanks will go with the lite and use a 12 volt battery

I have an innova 3555 since it will work with mechanical timing systems. it will work on the 6v or 12v, i usually grab my small 12v generator (lawn mower) battery and use it since the battery is on the other side of the car in my 1929. the small 12v works just fine, plus it is small and light weight.

If you use an external 12V battery to power a timing light on a 6V car, make sure that you tie the grounds together otherwise you can fry the timing light.

what you are saying is ground the car to the negative side of the battery then hook up the timing light just want to make sure

That's correct.

Why not just buy a self powered timing light ?

Mine works just fine on 6 volts.

It would be helpful post make and model of any powered timing lights that are found to be working correctly on 6 volts.

This question comes up now and then on the AACA forums, and I suspect here as well. I have several 12 volt models here that do not work on 6 volts, and I suspect a majority of the ones found "in the wild" do not work. I have never yet seen 6v compatibility in the specifications for any new light. The ones that do work are probably mostly happy accidents.

I'd have to go look to see if it has a brand name on it. It's a cheapie from Walmart. I picked it up years ago after I bought the 38. I haven't use it for years since I figured out the timing specs are for 60 octane gas. I time to fastest/smoothest idle now.