I know that it is a 6 volt system and that it has 2 6 volt batteries in series, but what is the best way to charge the batteries. Should I do them one at a time or can I do it with them hooked up in the car? Also , how are they cabled together. Thank you, Rog

Submitted by mikeb@moriausa.com on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 18:00

Roger:
I have a 1954 120 DHC. The batteries are 2 six volts in series giving a 12 volt system that is a positive ground set up. It is certainly necessary to visually inspect the batteries & connections occasionally to detect their condition and any corrosion that could be collecting.

However, the easiest way to charge both together is on the bulkhead without even exposing the batteries. Simply place the negative pole of your charger onto the cable going back to the batteries from the solenoid on the bulkhead. The positive pole from your charger can then be attached to any good ground. I usually select the second cable going from the solenoid down to the starter to attach my positive pole to. I attach it down at it's starter connection end rather than at the solenoid end so the connections are not too close together.

I have used this method for years without any problems for trickle charging and for regular charging. It is just too much hassle to expose the batteries just to set up a trickle charger.

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 08:33

Roger your car is a 12 volt system not 6. It should have 2 6 volt batteries in series as you said--the best way to fully charge that system is to break the connection between batteries and charge them individually. There are excellent drawings and pictures in the shop manual which is available in the shoppe on here. Good luck.

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sun, 08/22/2010 - 23:43

Edited on 2010-08-22 23:47:25

Hello Bob, give us some details of your car, seroal No, colour, body Etc. My advice is to remove the 6's and fit 2 12 volts, this saves a lot of problems and gives you very good starting power. But if not. the 6's need to be connected in line (series). That is (assuming pos earth) the starter cable connects to the neg terminal of battery one, a separate cable then connects from the pos of battery one to the neg of battery two, the pos of battery two is then ground to a good solid earthpoint (such as the frame). If you fit two 12's, (pos ground) the starter cable connects to the neg of battery one, another separate cable then connects from the battery one neg terminal to the battery two neg terminal. A cable is the used to connect the pos of battery one to the pos of battery two, then, a final cable from there to the good earth point. Draw a diagram and you will see how you have to connect it and just what terminals are needed on each cable. (some will need battery post clamps, others will need eyelet connectors)This is called a parallel battery connection. You could of course convert to negative earth but it is not necessary unless you want to fit a modern radio or cel phone hook up. If you need the exact battery types let me know. Good Luck.