Re: 6V Battery Cables - DO OLD ONES DELIVER DECENT CURRENT?

Posted by Quick and easy test on December 12, 2000 at 22:10:00 from (207.177.47.136):

In Reply to: 6V Battery Cables - DO OLD ONES DELIVER DECENT CURRENT? posted by Alberta Mike on December 10, 2000 at 19:34:14:

Alberta Mike- Here's a quick and easy and cheap test you can do-

Use a little voltmeter set to a low (1.5 - 3.0 volt) scale.

Put one probe on the battery post and the other on the starter stud, being careful not to touch the cable or clamps.

Crank the engine and see if any voltage shows up on the meter.

Do the same over on the ground side

Anything over 0.5 volts on the meter indicates excessive resistance in the circuit.

If so, scrape the oxide crust from posts and clamps. Wire brush the starter stud and grounding bolt to clean metal.

Give the connecitons a few drops of #90 gear oil to seal and inhibit corrosion.

Re-test.

If you still have over 0.5 volts get a new cable. Or, cut the clamp off, clean the copper wire good, and install a replacement clamp.

Try again and continue to repair or replace as needed.

If the thing still don't crank after that, set the meter to a scale above battery voltage.

Probe both battery posts.

Crank the engine with the ignition off so's it won't start.

If the battery voltage dropped below 9.6 on a 12 volt system, or 4.8 on a 6 volt system, you got either excessive draw by the starter or a weak battery.

Best device for sorting these things out that I know of is an old Sun VAT-40 tester, or the earlier VAT-28 unit. One test will give you starter current draw and another battery output capacity. Follow the tester's check list and you'll sort things out in under 5 minutes.

If current draw is high and battery output is within specs repair or replace the starter. If battery output is low either re-charge or replace the battery and test for charging system problems.

Hope this helps, IHank

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