12 volt dwell meter same as 6 volt????????

[Powerhouse]

Hi all...Does anyone know for sure if a 12volt dwell meter will work correctly when using it on a 6 volt system?????

[Normspeed]

Some work, some don't. I have one from the 70's that works on both. I would stay away from digitals, less likely to work with 6 volt and more sensitive to static from our old fashioned generating and spark systems.

[Powerhouse]

ok..I have an old one probably 60's era....I'll try it again and see what happens.

[Normspeed]

If it doesn't register, try swapping the ground and coil leads.

[bob_amos]

All of mine are powered up by internal batteries so will work on anything. I do have a few scopes that are powered by a wall outlet. I don't think I have ever owned a dwell meter powered by the cars battery. I'd imagine that if you can zero it in with the leads together it should work, after all, it just registers the TIME the points are closed.

[Powerhouse]

well...I tried it out...

here are the results...

DWELL = 20

RPM on 5,000 = 1200

RPM on 1,000 = 650-700

make sense of that ????????????

[Niel Hoback]

I, too, have questions about dwell meters.

I have two that are for 6 volts systems and one that is for 6 or 12 volt. Each one gives me a different reading at the same engine speed.

Are they adjustible and how would I know if and when it was adjusted right?

Should I just set the points where they are supposed to be and then adjust the meter to what it should read?

Or chuck them and use a feeler guage?

[Normspeed]

I like using the feeler gauge for major adjustments like at tune up time, then I use the dwell meter for quick checks every now and then, without having to pull the cap and rotor.