Jump Starting

[Logan]

I had a dead battery the other day and someone offered to jump start me, but not being very well versed in all things electrical I declined, not knowing if it would be okay to jump start a positive ground 6 volt system with a negative ground 12 volt.  Any experts know the answer?

[Orphanauto]

I have had no problem doing it. BUT, make sure you don't have any lights on, ect.. ( you can blow a bulb ) Also, make sure you have possitive to possitve. One more thing, do it quick, as it will turn over very quick, and should start up right away, you don't want to keep them hooked up very long. That said, you should have no problem. I drive my 53 kaiser Manhattan only on weekends, so I do put it on the 6 volt charger for about 1 hour before I drive on Ssaturday, then it's ok for the rest of the weekend, but after sitting all week, well...

[Garage Philosopher]

After frying a set of points and condenser, I'll not do it again.

[Doc]

Try connecting directly to the starter rather than the battery terminal; that seemed to work the one time I did it, and as above, disconnect quickly once it starts. Suggest acquiring from Harbor Freight for about $30 a 6-volt charger. I did find some 6-volt jump starters about a year ago but they only work on negative ground, so didn't make much use for me.

[joefrazer]

If you disconnect one of the battery leads, a negative ground battery charger will work on your Kaiser's battery.

[Fid]

It can be done but be very careful. As someone else pointed out, make sure you connect neg to neg and pos to pos. Yes, TOUCH the cable directly to the starter and pull it off as soon as the car starts. If you leave it connected too long, it will rip this metal ring inside the starter and then you got nothing.  Not that I've ever had that happen...