often times, if the battery is wet on top, you have a source for a potential
drain, hence your dead battery. The build up of condensed battery vapor
(hydrogen sulfide) settles on the battery top and since it conducts electricity,
you get a low current drain. Its a good idea to wash the whole battery and tray
out with some "arm and hammer" until it stops foaming. All the acid is now
neutralized. be sure none of the solution gets into the battery as that will
neutralize that acid, too.
"G. Simmons" wrote:
> >I recently inherited a 1954 3600.
> >My problem now is that even with a fully charged 6 volt battery the truck
> >will not crank fast enough to start.
>
> Hey, Scott, welcome to the list.
>
> You have a very common problem with these trucks. The immediate solution is
> to take off the battery cables and wire brush the insides of the connectors.
> Then go to where the wires connect to the frame and wire brush those places.
> Then go to the strap from the frame to the starter and wire brush the
> attachment points.
>
> You will be surprised at how the oxidation at these points impedes the flow
> of electricity. Eventually, you will want to replace the wiring harness,
> which is not too hard to do, and makes a noticable improvement. This will
> also eliminate the short that is draining your system. The short could be
> in a lot of places, but I'd check the inside of the push button switch on
> the starter, as the high amps inside these things often welds little pieces
> into shorts.
>
> In the long term, you may well decide, as have many list members, even those
> who are basically stock oriented, to convert to 12v.
>
> Regards,
>
> Grant S.
> 54 3100 (mostly all there)
> 54 3100 (mostly not there)
> 55 1st 3100 (mostly rust)
> Los Angeles, CA
>
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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