There was never a provision for a generator on the ’56 30 horse outboards. If it has a generator, some one has switched the powerhead with a 35 and everything is 12 volt. As previously stated, a 12 volt battery spins a 6 volt starter faster giving quicker starts. HOWEVER – continuous cranking will overheat the starter motor and melt the solder that holds the wires to the commentator, ruining the starter. . . 😉
