hey guys and gals ... my '51 chev has a 235 6 cyl with electronic ignition and an 8 volt battery .... just had it tuned up and it lasted a day and a half and the battery is dead. All points seem to lead to the regulator gone south ... anyone know about the adjustments required to keep the regulator happy with the 8 volt ??? and please ... I don't need any advice about switching it over to 12 volt at this time thank you. Pictures or schematics would help also ... thanks all
my work with 8 volt means most GM regularors are not setable to about 10 volts unless you use a 12 volt regulatror and set it down it is also hard to charge a 8 volt battery as no charger provieds the right voltage we used it on farm tractors long ago and give up because of problems this dont give you the answer that you want, but you may be able to work through it
Never been fond of 8 volt batteries on a 6 volt system, they are never fully charged and don't work any better than a good 6 volt.
What you may want to do is to find an 8 volt tractor regulator. If this is not easy, then there may be a way of modifying the 6 volt regulator. What I would probably do is to measure the resistor that is used to run the "voltage regulator coil" on the regulator and then up the value by 20%. This should put the voltage regulator at about 8 volts or so.
I just heard that it's getting harder to buy "normal" 6 v. batteries. I have had the same one in my 55 Ford wagon since 2008 with no problems. I had a guy build me a 6 v. alternator, and I keep a float charger on it in the winter. So far, so good.
A post here a few years ago stated that you can charge an 8 volt battery with a 12 volt charger set for 2 amps. I tried that several times and it worked fine - just monitor it and don't let it cook too long. At least that will get the battery charged back up.
We always adjusted the 6V regulator up to 8 volts... had a Ford F350 and a Ford 9N with an 8 volt batteries for years and they worked great...
My battery charger has a 6V setting and at "start" position it produces 10V. I'm sorry that I went with 8V. 2 6V in parllel work much better and cost about the same.
I had a Chevy alternator converted to 8 volts by the local starter generator rebuilder. It keeps the battery charged and doesn't blow the light bulbs on my 39 Packard. Tex1935
Could someone post a picture of an 8 volt car battery? I have never seen or heard of one before. Just curious.
Old tractor used 8 volt batteries, just gives the 6 bolt system a little more zing, not too much but a little more Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I may not know everything, but I don't know of ANY American piece of machinery (vehicle or tractor) that was originally designed with an 8v electrical system. I only know of 6v and 12v systems on the vehicles we're talking about. With that being said, 8v batteries are not new. 6v systems really need GOOD wiring with GOOD connections, and must be well-maintained for continued, proper function. 8v batteries are nothing more than a hyped-up band-aid for a poorly-maintained 6v system. On top of that, the 8v battery needs to be properly re-charged, and a 6v generator and regulator ARE NOT up to that task without some modification/adjustments, at the least. DD
I get my 6v batteries at farm store(Big R here in CO). I almost went with an 8v but the 6v had more cranking amps for less money. I agree that a maintained 6v system works great. My lights are all bright and it starts up fine. Every now and then I'll throw the maintainer charger on it just to make sure it gets a full charge.
I really don't understand why anybody would need or want a 8 volt battery, or a truck full of spare bulbs and headlights just to drive an old vehicle. I have put thousands and thousands of miles on well tuned and maintained 6 volt vehicles and the batteries have never let me down. If you are having problems with starting, FIX THE PROBLEM instead of adding an 8 volt band-aid that is just going to burn lights up often. If you really need more umphhh from your 6 volt battery, don't buy a car battery, buy a 6 volt commercial suitable for things like a John Deere. These come in a slightly larger case, the dimensions are about 13 inches by 7 1/2 inches. That battery will give you Much, much more reserve/starting power for when you don't have your carb and ignition fine tuned and things don't want to fire on those hot days. This one is 13" long, similiar ones can be found a NAPA or Autoparts Plus... Group 5D 6-Volt Commercial Battery Product #10-7315-6 Home > Automotive > Batteries & Accessories > Batteries - Commercial > Group 5D 6-Volt Commercial Battery Photos Previous Next <form name="form_add_to_cart" method="POST" action="http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/Batteries/Commercial-Batteries/PRDOVR~0107315P/Group+5D+6-Volt+Commercial+Battery.jsp;jsessionid=RNlGvnvvp7GTL5YxgnvNGsw1Pq18QBjvv8dWrJTbLpyTTSHYvG3w!1280270664"> Group 5D 6-Volt Commercial Battery Product #10-7315-6 See more Batteries - Commercial or compare Reg. $119.99 (Plus $15.00 Core Charge) Add To My List Add Sale Alerts Please select a store for inventory status. (Select Store) </form> FEATURES SPECIFICATIONS PRODUCT REVIEWS PRODUCT Q & A Heavy-duty power for heavy trucks, buses, coaches, farm applications and more. 850 cold-cranking amps, 1020 cranking amps, 280 minutes reserve capacity Group Size 5D Dimensions: 13-1/2" (L) X 7-1/4" (W) X 9-3/8" (H) (34 x 18 x 24 cm) 12-month free replacement, 24-month total warranty Canadian Tire Warranty: This product carries a special warranty. Please see your local Canadian Tire store for detail . jmho .
I have a 12 volt truck and am currently working on a 6 volt 54. I agree totally with the statements that both work well when in good shape and maintained. Tune up the 6 volt system or convert it, 8 volt battery comes with its issues. Good luck Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
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