Heater question

[oldmopar]

As here in NJ I am in the path of the hurricane I was digging out a generator I have not use in a long time and found 2 Arvin heaters I got at a auction a few years back. Is there a way I can tell if its 6 or 12 volt. I am thinking maybe by hooking up a 6 and or 12v volt battery and seeing how fast it turns ?

[Niel Hoback]

If its got a pretty heavy, cloth covered wire, that's a clue that it's probably 6 volt.

[Rusty O'Toole]

The motors may be marked 6V or 12V.Chances are they are 6V. By the time 12V cars came out in 1955 all cars had built in heaters. I doubt there were many 12V ones made by aftermarket suppliers like Arvin.

The overall style will give you a clue. Does it look like 40s streamlined or fifties modern.

[oldmopar]

Yes heavy wire and it is a through the wall connection so 6 volt is the logical choice when I get sometime I will have to check these out better. Its amazes me the stuff I buy and just forget about

[greg g]

if you have acces to 6V power use it first and see if it feels like they are running full force.

Although I gave mine a good shot of 12v to wake it up, it suffered no damage as 6v stuff is made much more robustly than 12V. chances are they are 6 V as by 56 when most manufactureres switched to 12V, heaters were pretty much standard equipment no an add on like they were in teh 6V era.