Options for Emergency starting a dead 6 Volt battery

[bluesman31]

I have a stock 6V generator system, and I was wondering if I am on the road what are the best otions to start a car with a dead battery:

1. Can a modern 12V car give me a jump if I do it quickly?

2. Is push starting the A safe, and if so in what gear is reccomended?

3. Starting with the crank of course

[bogdonj]

I would use number 2. Put it in 3rd gear with the clutch in and get someone to push you. Gently let out the clutch will turn the engine over. (make sure key is on)

Starting with the crank can be done but I find it's easy to do with a nice engine that starts quickly. You also have to watch you don't break your wrist when starting it because it can kick back.

[Kahuna]

You can safely jump it with a 12 volt battery

[bluesman31]

It the safest 12V > 6V jump to put the positive on the block, and the neg right to the starter main wire?

[super flat]

YES the only way I would do it and have done it many times. Gary

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by bogdonj

I would use number 2. Put it in 3rd gear with the clutch in and get someone to push you. Gently let out the clutch will turn the engine over. (make sure key is on)

Starting with the crank can be done but I find it's easy to do with a nice engine that starts quickly. You also have to watch you don't break your wrist when starting it because it can kick back.

Be sure the person pushing the car knows when you are going to let the clutch out or you will have teeth marks in your rear mounted spare.

Charlie Stephens

[Bill B]

The rule of thumb a long time ago was "If at all possible park on a a hill--even a slight one.

[columbiA]

In the mid 50,s I had a 32 Chev coupe with a poor battery.If I was unable to park on a hill,I would jack up the rear wheel,put it in high gear & give the wheel a good quick turn & it would start every time.Later on I got a new battery & a hand crank.

[Fred K-OR]

I would also think someone (if you can find someone that will do it) could give you a slight push with a modern and then let you go on you own and do no. 2 above. Make sure the bumpers match up.

[columbiA]

Modern "bumpers" are not much more than a plastic roll pan!

[Marco Tahtaras]

Some engines will come to rest with the points closed which will drain the battery if the ignition is left on for a length of time. If it is left long enough the battery will be stone dead and will not produce a spark to start the car whether pushing or hand cranking. I have no problem jump starting from a 12v battery.

With that said, in nearly all other cases there is plenty of spark to push start or hand crank. Hand cranking is SIGNIFICANTLY easier that push starting. I've never had a car that wouldn't start with two pulls when cold or one pull when warm.

[Kurt in NJ]

I found something interesting the last time my battery was dead ---there is an advantage to a diode cutout ---the generator will charge anytime the gen voltage gets .5 V higher than system voltage, it's possible to get almost 4V hand cranking, another thing i have done is to find a stick to push down the clutch --push the car and jump in

[John Stone]

When I was much younger and first got my pickup (1961), the battery would not hold a charge enough to turn the starter and the crank nut was worn so bad a crank would not even work. I would turn the key on, pull the throttle down a little, push it down the level street by myself, shove it into second gear, jump on the running board and hang on. Of course the engine didn't have too much compression and seemed to always start. Finally I could afford a battery.

[Ed in Maine]

Just a word of caution pushing a Model A to get it started. If the rear wheel nuts are not tight enough it is possible to shear an axle key. If this happens, you might have to change a damaged axle shaft! Now you will really have some problems. Ed

[C26Pinelake]

My 2 cents....if jumping with a twelve volt make sure that all lights and or accesories are off. No foot on the brake etc. Because you will blow every six volt light if it is on during the the 12 volt battery boost !