battery jumper

Nick167 · Dec 31, 2014

I got a battery jumper for Christmas my question is it says its for 12 volt battery's only but the manual says it can be used on a positive ground and has a switch to reverse the polarity could I use this on a six volt battery? If I reverse the polarity? The person that got it for me said that the people at the store said it would work but I wanted to ask here first

DeltaRed · Dec 31, 2014

I take it's one of those battery pack units?Just put positive (+) to positive and negative(-) to negative. Yes you can 'jump' 6 volt.12 volts will spin the 'liveing crap' of a 6v system.Just dont hook directly to the battery. Hook to the starter cable(if you can) and hook to the frame. Hooking 12v directly to a 6v battery can cause the battery to explode.But it is safe if done correctly.

Nick167 · Dec 31, 2014

Alright that's what I thought and yes it is thank you I shouldn't move the polarity switch right?

Janicholson · Dec 31, 2014

I cant even begin to understand a polarity switch. If so equipped, it would be the most confusing thing in tool history. Leave the polarity switch alone Or better yet put gorilla glue in the switch slot to lock it with red = positive. What a disaster waiting to happen. Jim

Brian Schmidt · Dec 31, 2014

I wouldn't use it on a tractor that has a 6v battery installed. You could use it on the tractor if the battery is disconnected. But then you wouldn't probably want to do that. Jumping a 6V battery with a 12V booster is a good way to destroy the battery and maybe yourself.

jm. · Dec 31, 2014

As smart as you are I am glad you made that comment. I thought I was a pure fool. First I DOUBT that the thing has a switch to reverse polarity. Like why not just connect the cables different. Some of the thing that come up on here just amaze me.

Janicholson · Dec 31, 2014

If the tractor has an exposed terminal/buss/or connector leading directly into the starter, jumping directly to that terminal will isolate the 12v from the tractor electrical. With the ignition on (using the tractor's low battery for ign) cranking with 12v works withno uncommon risk. Hooking into the 6v battery is a good way to destroy things, Jim

Wheatfarmer · Dec 31, 2014

Can you post a picture of the page stating the polarity change. We all need to know about that.

gene bender · Dec 31, 2014

Hooking 12v to a 6v system is never a good idea batterys can blow easy but if you like to live on the edge.

Russ from MN · Dec 31, 2014

We used to jump 6 volt equipment a lot with 12 volts, I remember one battery blowing up and one starter breaking the back cover. The battery exploding probably could of been prevented by connecting the jumpers at a point away from the battery. The starter breaking probably could of been prevented by engaging it with 6 volts and then connecting the jumper. Hindsight is always 20-20! On polarity, don't let the vehicles touch, connect + to + and - to -. Don't worry about + or - ground.

gab · Dec 31, 2014

It's been done but I'm not going to do it. Cleaned a young guy up once and hauled him to emergency room after he some how blew up a 12 volt batt. hooking up a charger. Guy was lucky to just get a couple scratches and a acid bath.

gab · Dec 31, 2014

Looking at that again have you got a jump box with the short cables or a 6 or 12 volt charger by using the switch? Don't get the polarity switch concept.

Duner Wi · Jan 1, 2015

I don't have a jumper and have never used one.
Could you jump directly to starter to start tractor leaving 6 volt completely out of the picture. You have key on for run but don't turn to start or hit starter button if separate. This assumes you have enough juice in 6 volt battery to run engine or a magneto.
This works on my 6 volt tractor when I jump with 12 volt.

2underage · Jan 1, 2015

Delta, you have it right. Have used 12 volts to start 6 volt vehicles for many years and never caused any harm to battery or starter. Makes me wonder how the world got this far with the crazy opinions that I see here sometimes.

jimg.allentown · Jan 1, 2015

A few points of information here.....

>> If the instructions say only for 12 volts, that is coming from the ENGINEER that designed it. Might consider him an expert?

>> The guy at the store is a SALESMAN. Does that make him smarter than the ENGINEER that designed the jumper??

>> Changing POLARITY with a switch does exactly that. Does NOT change VOLTAGE or compatibility.

>> Jumping a 6-volt system with a 12-volt jumper is risky. As previously stated, there is a high risk of exploding a battery or otherwise damaging an electrical system.

Nick167 · Jan 1, 2015

Its a jumper there is no 6v 12v switch . Thanks for all the replies I will try to post a pic later

T in NE · Jan 1, 2015

Or does it have circuitry to determine which way the cables are hooked and set the polarity itself? I have used one that wouldn't put current to the electrical system if it didn't see enough voltage from the battery.

battery jumper

Nick167

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DeltaRed

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Nick167

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Janicholson

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Brian Schmidt

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jm.

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Janicholson

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Wheatfarmer

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gene bender

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Russ from MN

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gab

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gab

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Duner Wi

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2underage

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jimg.allentown

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Nick167

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T in NE

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