I need to know the difference in all the 6 volt system battery' that are out there. I believe there is a range of cold cranking amps from what I have heard. I bought a 6 volt a while ago and I believe it may be the culpret that is keeping my flat stock 6 from starting. I was told by a fellow HAMB'r to go with a higher cold cranking ampherage then what I have. The battery may have been sitting for some time too from the place that I bought it at. KNUX!
Unless you have a bunch of compression, battery mounted remotely (long cables), bad connection, etc - I kinda doubt that the battery (solely as a result of CCA) would prevent you from starting. Of course I base that comment having only ever fiddled with 12 volt systems - so maybe I am all wet. A rule of thumb for a battery is to watch how long it takes to charge it. A battery that charges FAST will discharge just as fast. Poor man's load checker - so to speak. Not talking about using a commercial "fast charger" but rather a home type charger - in the couple, 5 or 10 amp range. How does the voltage drop when cranking compare to the factory specs? I'd start there and stick with the basics before I tossed what could possibly be a perfectly good battery. OTOH - do you have any pals that can "loan" you a battery for a quick test???
I tried that. I took another battery out of my other car, it was a 12 volt, and it started right up. I did not turn any lights on for the last time I did, it blew out my headlight's!
i went to budget batteries and asked for an industrial -(i think forklift/golfcart?)- battery. i got this battery from them @ 8 years ago and it is still amazing. i've let it sit all winter and it will crank for ages. best battery i've ever had, 6 or 12v!!
Try and borrow a load tester. A battery should provide so many amps of juice without dropping below a threshold voltage. Thats why commercial testers have an adjustment for resistance, and a volt meter. You should be able to find the numbers on the battery's lablel, or from the manufacturer. A "not quite" battery will toast your alternator and leave you walking.
Don't forget that 6V systems need to run with larger battery cables - normal 12V ones won't do. Try finding 00 size cables to install, OK?
I used an 8 volt tractor battery in an old Beetle years ago. You'd have to tweak the regulator a bit but starting is a breeze and your headlights will look blue!
Because it is HALF the voltage it needs to put out TWICE the current to do the same job. Larger diameter Copper in the cables is a MUST. Cranking current is more critical in a 6 vlot system and losses are as well. CLEAN all terminals and connections throughly. To get an negine set up I used to use TWO batteries in PARRALLEL (+ to +, - to -) to get additional starting power until I got them set up and the timeing right. Glenn
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