6V Chargers + What do you do on the road?

rambos_ride

To start off - what do you guys do on the road when you need a 6V jump? Does anyone manufacture one of those portable starting packs for 6V?

I bought my current Sears 2/10/50 amp 12v charger some 20+ years ago - and its still going strong even though very abused, however its just a benchtop style and no 6V...

I looked around locally, even my fallback store harbor freight and just didn't see what I liked for the money they where asking. I even went to 2 local tractor supply places - no 6V chargers at all!

I'll get one of those 6V Battery Minders down the road, but when the chance come up to buy a new tool I wanted a good roll-around style for the shop that had quick start for both 6v and 12v

I ended up a model from Sears, although Northern Tool came a close second. I thought I'd post both pics and specs for you to compare. Pretty close specs on both, just came down to $$ I didn't think it was worth spending the extra on the Northern although, I liked some of its specs better.

Of course it wasn't available locally so I ordered it online and wfree shipping it will be a couple of days until I get it.

Sears - The one I bought...
DieHard Microprocessor-Controlled Battery Charger with Tester and GFCI Outlets

Sears item# 02871234000var omEvt="prodView";var omPrds=";02871234000"; Mfr. model# 71234

· Fully Automatic,
· 12V/6V Portable Wheel Charger with Engine Start
· Charging System Tester is ideal for charging Car, Truck, Marine, RV, Farm Equipment, Motorcycle, Lawn Tractor, Deep Cycle batteries.
· Two, GFCI Protected 120 Volt Electrical Outlets powers work lights or tools. [Is this Really needed?]
· 60 Amp Rapid and 20 Amp Fast charge. 2 Amp Slow/Maintenance charge. Timer-controlled with automatic shutoff.
· Engine Quick Starts at 275 Amp for 12V - 125 Amp for 6 volt Three-Year Full Warranty


$199.99 on Sale, Free Shipping w/Tax $217.00





#2 Northern Tool

Schumacher Wheeled Starter/Charger — 200/80/60/44/30 Amp, Manual, Model# SE-3000

· Manual wheeled charger
· Charges 6V, 12V, 18V, and 24V batteries
· Charge rates: 30 Amp for 24V, 44 Amp for 18V, 60 Amp for 12V, 80 Amp for 6V
· 180 Amp engine start for 6V [WOW!]
· 200 Amp engine start for 12V
· Fan-cooled unit
· Rotary dial
· Timer switch with Hold position
· Steel case
· Includes 6-ft. cables with clamps


$239.00 Regular Price w. shipping Approx $280.00

Unknown

6V batteries are still around $36 from Autozone and Advanced...



if your hudson won't start, and the battery is tired, then it's time for a replacement.



If the battery is new, and it won't start, then it's time to fix what's wrong.



If you don't properly charge, while running your hudson, then it's time for a look at that generator.



I disconnect mine when it sits for any time, around a week or more. I keep the negatice cable loose enough to get it off by hand, yet tight enough that it will easily start.



I bet I get around 4 years out of a new battery. I'm on year three right now, and I bet I replace it after next fall, or perhaps sooner.



Look at local auctions for those jump starters, etc... if you buy one, that's around 6 batteries you spent, perhaps 20 years or so worth...

MikeWA

I'm all for pro-active maintenance, fixing what is wrong, etc. etc.- but I'm also looking for a jump start when I come out of Denny's 100 miles from home, and the Mighty Hornet won't start. It was a valid question.

Unknown

I think the GFCI outlets on the Sears charger are a good idea, until the circuitry becomes expended that is.



The only portable jump starter for a 6v engine that I'm aware of is another 6v battery.

faustmb

I bought one of the $35 dollar Schumacher units from Advance. It will charge a dead battery in about 15 minutes to attempt a start again. You have to really check the specs closely on the big units, I have seen some that list "12/6 V with engine start" and the engine start amperage is only available for the 12V setting. The unit I saw at Sam's club listed that it had 6V engine start , which is unusual for that price (<$100).



As far as jumping on the road, I have never encountered that issue. I always figured a little PM would reduce the chances of failing. I do always carry a tow strap, worst case would be a jump start or pull start if needed.



Matt

Unknown

How it really is buddy, You can jump from a 12v bat but be carefull. DON"T hook to your 6v bat, stay away from it, a few fumes could cause it to explode if you get a spark. Be sure all lights and such are off, hook up the posative from the 12v to ground if the jump car is neg grnd, be sure you know. then use the neg direct to your starter instead of the starter button. If it don't start right off don't keep on crankin, that could cause damage to your starter, crank a few seconds then let things cool down a minute or so and try again, you'll be O.K. JUMP CABLES; same advice as the charger, get good ones and LONG, I keep them in every vehicle I have. BEAR IN MIND, I don't really recomend this as standard procedure but there are times when you do what you can do.

Nevada Hudson

Harbor Freight tools has 2 inexpensive 6/12 volt battery chargers on sale now. lot #45005,2-6 amp @$19.99; lot #3418 10 amp, 55amp start, @$29.99. Also they have a 6/12 volt 100amp battery load tester for $16.99 lot #90636. I Just bought a Sears Diehard Model #71225 6/12 volt microprocessor controlled battery charger with 80 amp engine start, 30 amp rapid charge, 2 amp slow charge for $89.00. It is small and compact and charges my 6 volt batteries quickly! -along with deep cycle batteries for my camper. If your worried about your 6 volt battery on long trips, just bring a set of jumper cables. I converted my '51 Hornet back to 6 volts from 12. Much better for me, and starts right up. No more ruined ring gears and bent bendixes!

Unknown

Dan I've been thinking about this as well as I hate being stranded and its often difficult to rely on others. My thought is to remove the generator which is 50 year old technology and add a 6 volt alternator and then put an extra 6 volt battery in the trunk connected in parallel to the front battery. The alternator will have no problem charging the batteries and you have a lot more reserve in cranking. another way I guess is to convert to 12 volts and get a starter from a hash as they fit and are 12 volts. Then any jump start will work.

I feel its nice to have an original car but it sucks to be stranded with a six volt system and no help around.