Re: 8 volt battery question
 

Model A's have started 90 years in single digit temps and below on 6v systems. I would add a ground cable from battery terminal to trans as a good solid ground for the starter and clean every connection from battery to inside the starter switch. Also have your battery load tested - it may be dead/dying... Have you been checking the water level in it?

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

The best used for an 8 volt battery is to connect 4 of them in series, so you have 32 volts, then give them to me for my 32 volt Delco light plant. 8 volts for cars sucks.

Electrical power is measured in watts, and volts X amps = watts.

Amps is the amount of flow of electrons, and volts is the amount of pressure moving those electrons.

Model A's don't need to crank fast to start, they just need a good spark. I'd go back to the original ignition system. Mine and thousands more have worked fine since 1928.

The 8 volt battery has the same size case as the 6 volt battery, so it must have fewer plates per cell to fit 4 cells where 3 cells fit in the 6 volt case. Fewer plates per cell means less surface area, so it has fewer amps.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

I bought a 8 volt battery off someone who had gone to 12 volts . The battery was nearly new and at a very good price . I bought it blind and was delivered by a friend who picked it up fpr me . I had thought it would have been a 6 volt but it turned out to be a new looking 8 volt . As my 68B battery had died I installed it ,charges just fine with the 6 volt generator and cutout . So far so good ,downside is that my bulbs have blown except the main headlamps and stoplight bulbs . DRAT!!! Just thinking does anyone do 8 volt bulbs ??? . I do not drive at night by choice so no harm done and also the winking indicators still work with the VW 6 volt can .

John in very cold snow falling BRRRR!!! Suffolk County England .

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

The higher the voltage the less amps required. Remember Volts do all the work.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

Here’s a thought. What’s the temperature? If it’s below freezing it just could be the grade of oil you’re using. If you’re using a single grade oil it can get to thick in cold weather.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

As others have stated, there's nothing wrong w/a 6V system. It goes w/out saying that everything has to be in good shape.
There has been lots of suggestions, but nobody mentioned the starter.
What condition is your starter in? Maybe it needs to be overhauled. A poor 6V starter WILL be sluggish in the cold.
If your battery is weak that will compound the problem.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

I tried 8v with no luck . charging system not up to it . good 6v with good grounds or 12v .

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

My Father tried the eight volt trick a few years ago with little luck and many burnt bulbs.
I remember it worked quite well for about three months and then one night he needed the head lights. After replacing all the burnt bulbs, I argued they would just burn out again, but he still liked the way it spun the engine over. Then the coil went, then the condenser, and more bulbs. We saw some trouble with the points pitting but that may have been due to the failing condenser. Finally he gave up. We went back to a new six volt system, with a rebuilt swap meet starter and a new Genny. Extra grounds new bulbs and presto everything was working reliably again even during the winter. I found most of his system was dirty/corroded and just needed TLC. Save the dough on the low CCA eight volt (Marine applications up here) and rebuild what she was born with. JM2Cents.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

Some of the farmers use to use 8 volts in there farmall M They burned out the lights. They were a pain, not needed.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

My last A came with a eight volt battery. Never had any problems. I am not advocating eight over six. I am also a firm believer that if you leave everything as Henry made it you should have no problems.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

Using an 8 Volt battery is as STUPID/DUMB/DESTRUCTIVE, as filling your engine with 140W GEAROIL.
Guess Who?

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

Bill. How's it going.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

Daren,
Fair to middling, argueing with the Doc about ANTI-PAIN-PILLS---At least, we're warm & comfy, 75 High today.
My Brother in Law lived in St Cloud, he must have been HOT NATURED???
Bill W.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

Less amps required means less work for the generator , cooler operation plus longer life .

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

If 'volts do all the work',
why will very high amps at very low voltage kill you,
but very low amps at very high voltage will not kill you?

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

Amps hold you to it . Volts knock you off. High voltage like a 40.000 volt coil hit hard but don't have enough amps to hold you to it and kill you .

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

To hopefully answer your cranking amps question, the 8 volt battery with les cca will not crank as long as the 6V. But it has higher bolts pushing it. However your starter only needs about 100 amps. That said, 6.4 volts is low. You probably have a bad battery. No matter what you put in, it will work better.

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

Ugh, I've learned that one, several times! :rolleyes:

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

High amps will pull your fingers arround the source so that you can't turn loose . If you test by hand, do it with the back of your hand or fingers , That way you may be able to break loose. At least that is what I have been told . If I touch an electrical source it will be by accident .

Re: 8 volt battery question
 

yup, also when flipping on tripped breakers in your house, make a fist and use the knuckles on the back of your right hand to reset it so if for whatever reason it arcs out to your hand your arm muscles will retract pulling your fist away from the panel punching yourself but much better than the alternative.

Also like the age ol "measure twice cut once" applies to electrical wires too but an extra step is measure suspected dead circuit - then measure known live circuit - then measure dead circuit again to make sure its dead. Saved my butt once when my meter decided to wig out and display 14VAC when really I was on 120VAC...

BTW fun info those push button gas BBQ grill sparkers that make your nice blue spark are like 14,000 volts but like .002 amps. Great for potato guns haha