6Volt or 12 Volt?

[twobills76]

Also on my 56 Evinrude big twin...it has always been ran on a 6v battery. i have been told I can run off a 12v battery just have to change my light bulbs. True or false?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

I have "heard" that the starter and starter solenoid will do fine with 12 volts, but you will have to replace the electric choke solenoid with a later model or put in a dropping resistor. The magneto ignition system does not hook up to the battery, so no worries there. No charging system so no problems with that.

I have no first hand knowledge of the truth in this, so take it for what you paid for it.
Hopefully somebody who has actually done this conversion will pipe in.

 

[twobills76]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

Thank you for the insight. Hopefully someone will know for fact...i am aiming for a wed/thur test run. she has been out of the water for 2 years.

 

[boobie]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

Years ago I had some customers that would use a 12 volt bat on a 6 volt system. But the trick was, if the mtr didn't start right away, don't keep on cranking. Find the problem.

 

[twobills76]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

The only thing I can think of on the motor itself that would not accept 12v would be the choke. The magneto makes and regulates it's own voltage to the points. is there any reason i couldn't put a voltage regulator on the choke switch and knock it down from 12 to 6?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

I have done a few conversions. I have found the starter can handle the 12 volts fine, but as mentioned I always change the choke solenoid, I fried a couple to prove it Remember the choke is used to kill the motor on a 1956, so is used often.

I have a vast array of parts motors, might be easier for you to wire in a resistor. The following shows how, with part number labelled.

Here is your original wiring diagram

Here is the conversion WITHOUT resistor

 

[twobills76]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

Awesome! Thank you! Do you happen to know P/N for a 12V solenoid that would work?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

376806 for one. Here is a link to an example. By the way, that price is frickin ridiculous, do not buy that one, just first one that came up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-OMC..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item2c6608d572&vxp=mtr

 

[twobills76]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

WOW!!! That is ridiculous! Thanks again for the info! I have her starting which I knew wouldn't be an issue! This motor has always started! We are going to stop at the parts store and water test today! If all goes well today she will see alot of water this year!

 

[twobills76]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

Got her on the water! She ran, but has lost quite a bit of power...guess we will be checking compression and finding a carb kit...

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 6Volt or 12 Volt?

First check that she is getting proper spark. Should jump a 1/4" gap on an inline tester with a bright blue ZAP!!