Battery cable question

In reality, it is a motor, and they only draw enough amps to get the job done. So you put a 12v battery on a 6v starter and it only needs half the amps to put out the same hp if it were turning the engine at the same speed. It will turn faster, and that takes more hp, but it doesn't turn so fast that the amps go up. Since the wires and motor are designed for much higher amperage they are oversized and last a long time.

Now, try to start a 12v tractor on 6v. Amps go through the roof, everything gets hot, and if you've got enough battery to deliver the amps you wind up letting the smoke out. As everyone with experience in these electric things knows, once you let the smoke out it is near impossible to get it back in, you just have to buy new stuff with the smoke already in it.

Now, let's talk about why a DC motor turns the same way with positive or negative ground...

• Hobby farm

WHEN YOU CONVERT TO 12 VOLTS THERES TYPICALLY LESS NOT MORE CURRENT DRAW i.e. it dont hurt to have bigger cables n even smaller can get you by.

Its NOT gonna hurt if your battery cables are a lil too big, but can indeed if too small. I recommend use of at least 0 better yet 00 gauge battery n starter n ground cables on 6 volt systems to lessen cable voltage drop n cuz at that lower voltage youre gonna get high current draw from a starter. On 12 volt theres typically less starter current draw so one can drop down a size or two like 1 or 0 buttttt tt its sure NOT gonna hurt if you have larger cables. NO problem for 0 or 00 on a 12 volt system provided they can physically fit where needed, although one sees a lot of 1 (or even 2) gauge around, I still prefer at least 1 or bigger myslef at 12 volts.

Even at 12 volt I still like big heavy honkin batteries like 900 to 1100 CCA and I use the felt washers under the battery posts plus spray with that red battery terminal coating stuff. I dont like grounds to any thin wimpy or rusty sheet metal but prefer a good to frame bolt elsewhere. Clean tight shiny bright conections at alllll battery n starter n switch/solenoid n ground connections is a MUST.

John T

Andrew