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Ted
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DANIEL TINDER (1/26/2026)
Ted,
I notice the data sheet included with elect. choke Holley carbs. specifies 12V as a mandatory minimum. Just curious if you have experimented with supplying one with 6V only (?). Would the choke possibly thus still fully open, though more slowly? Or, would I need a transformer for sure?While I have not experimented directly in putting 6 volts to a 12 volt choke coil, I have seen instances where the choke was hooked to the positive side of the coil on 12-volt systems. While the choke did work, the drop in voltage to the ignition was a problem which is where I become involved as the cars are either hard starting or experience a misfire at speed. Part of that warning about using a minimum of 12 volts is to eliminate installers from using the positive coil connection for the voltage supply. If hooking up a twelve volt choke coil to a direct six volt source (ignition switch), there’s no doubt in my mind that 6 volts would simply have the choke coil open more slowly but would still open fully. On the flip side of this, there are lower voltage electric choke coils available which would speed up the choke operation in lieu of using a 12 volt choke coil. Considering how fast the electric choke works when using 12 volts, I suspect using 6 volts on a 12 volt choke coil could potentially work better in that it would slow down the opening of the choke.
  Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)
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KULTULZ
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The electric choke conversion power supply should (IMO )be sourced directly off the BATT via a relay (IGN SW activated) and fused and in no way sourced off the IGN CIRCUIT.. TO WIT - 
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DANIEL TINDER
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KULTULZ (1/27/2026)
The electric choke conversion power supply should (IMO )be sourced directly off the BATT via a relay (IGN SW activated) and fused and in no way sourced off the IGN CIRCUIT.. TO WIT - Thanks KULTULZ,
Other than polarity reversal (for stock 6V/pos.grd. system), fuse values would be helpful info to correct the diagram (?). Also, I assume the oil pressure idiot light circuit could be skipped, since if the engine dies and points ignition is still long active, continuing current to the relay & choke would be a lesser problem.
6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA
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KULTULZ
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That is the best schematic I could find ,,, It also includes a circuit to shut-off the electric choke or an electric fuel pump if the engine shuts off. Just concentrate on the basic install. I have little experience in 6V so you will have to find wire gauge and fuse values on a wiring site. Did you call about the 7V cap? BTW - What CARB are you using (FORD or HOLLEY) and if a take-off does it include the choke housing?
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alanfreeman
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I have had my 12 volt Holley electric choke wire connected directly to the hot side of my 6 volt coil for many years and have never had any problems.
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DANIEL TINDER
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alanfreeman (1/28/2026)
I have had my 12 volt Holley electric choke wire connected directly to the hot side of my 6 volt coil for many years and have never had any problems. I’ve had trouble in the past when drawing too much aux. current (charging an iPhone while playing music thru the HP jack). The engaged/balky OD system with radio & headlights on also, and motor misses at high rpm. But, I’ll try the coil connection first before going the relay route. My recent gen rebuild & solid state OD relay conversion may make the difference.
6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA
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KULTULZ
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I’ve had trouble in the past when drawing too much aux. current (charging an iPhone while playing music thru the HPjack). The engaged/balky OD system with radio & headlights on also, and motor misses at high rpm.
But, I’ll try the coil connection first ...
 The choke cap should only receive power with engine running. This is the reason for the oil pressure switch cut-out in the above diagram illustration, to prevent any possible power draw to the choke cap with engine off. Same as with an electric fuel pump. It is a safety feature.
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Ted
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The reason you do not use the positive side of the ignition coil as a voltage source for the choke heating coil is that the choke coil will act like a resistor for the ignition circuit. By the choke coil acting as a resistor when hooked to the ignition coil, the voltage will be reduced for both the ignition coil and the choke coil. Just how good your ignition circuit is initially which also includes the spark plug gaps, will determine if the overall performance of the vehicle will be affected if hooking up the choke coil to the positive side of the ignition coil.
Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)
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DANIEL TINDER
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KULTULZ (1/29/2026)
I’ve had trouble in the past when drawing too much aux. current (charging an iPhone while playing music thru the HPjack). The engaged/balky OD system with radio & headlights on also, and motor misses at high rpm.
But, I’ll try the coil connection first ...
The choke cap should only receive power with engine running. This is the reason for the oil pressure switch cut-out in the above diagram illustration, to prevent any possible power draw to the choke cap with engine off. Same as with an electric fuel pump. It is a safety feature. I understand why the fuel pump cut-off is a safety feature (in case of collision, etc.). But don’t get why continuing current to the choke would be, other than running down the battery (?) Would it possibly ignite gas fumes? If so, that would make it dangerous in normal usage situations, and thus not a common feature.
6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA
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DANIEL TINDER
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Ted (1/29/2026)
The reason you do not use the positive side of the ignition coil as a voltage source for the choke heating coil is that the choke coil will act like a resistor for the ignition circuit. By the choke coil acting as a resistor when hooked to the ignition coil, the voltage will be reduced for both the ignition coil and the choke coil. Just how good your ignition circuit is initially which also includes the spark plug gaps, will determine if the overall performance of the vehicle will be affected if hooking up the choke coil to the positive side of the ignition coil. I assume the same would apply if the connection was anywhere on the same the ignition switch ‘running only’ circuit/pole that powers the coil. Other accessories that only function when the switch is in either ‘acc’ or ‘ign’ positions must have a similar ‘resistor’ effect (including the proposed relay), though in relation to their current draw.
6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA
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