The Ford Barn

36coupe · 04-28-2016, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Here we go again. Proper sized cables, good grounds and connections, and an 800 CCA Optima. Problem solved, AND you get to keep your light bulbs!

That's the advise I took and being cheap bought a 6v alt when the new looking generator died. The optima and alternator don't look right under the hood but it sure starts good and never worry about winding the battery down if it gets flooded and I have to crank it over. You can go to napa and buy heavy cable by the foot and heavy duty lugs. It is easy to solder the lugs on custom built battery cables.

graderman · 10-25-2016, 06:40 PM

Any one had good/ bad experiences with a change from a 6 volt gen to a 6 volt alternator????

19Fordy · 10-25-2016, 08:09 PM

Dear Sir:
Don't waste your time, effort or money converting to 8V. It's a slow road to nowhere. You would be far better of spending that money on making sure you 6 volt system is in top notch shape.
Do a SEARCH on 8 volt battery.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ht=volt+system

graderman · 10-27-2016, 06:43 PM

Oh!sorry about that!!!!

deuce_roadster · 10-27-2016, 07:28 PM

Fix EVERYTHING that is wrong and everything will work fine on 6v as new. An 8v battery is a kluge but it appears some are happy doing things that way.

As for the alternator--if you have electronics in your distributor instead of points they will last longer.

koates · 10-28-2016, 12:35 AM

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graderman, If your 8 volt battery is in good condition then I would run with it until such time as it needs to be replaced which could be several years yet. Don't need to fix what aint broke. The previous owner of your car obviously found it OK. When the battery needs to be replaced then fit a 6 volt optima battery which is the best you can buy with over 800 cranking amps and a much longer life than normal lead acid batteries. Depending on your charging system, original 3 brush generator with a round ford cut out mounted on top OR an upgraded 2 brush generator with a separate 3 unit voltage regulator then some adjustment may be required for the 6 volt battery. You have not stated which generator you have on your car. There seems to be a real hate against 8 volt batteries here on the Barn, but I have fitted a number of them to various vehicles over many years with good results. Sometimes bulbs can have a shorter than normal life. I have over 50 years in the auto electrical trade in case you are wondering. Regards, Kevin.

10-25-2016, 06:40 PM	#22
graderman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Woolwich Maine Posts: 20	Re: 6 volt or 8 volt?? Any one had good/ bad experiences with a change from a 6 volt gen to a 6 volt alternator????

10-25-2016, 08:09 PM	#23
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,604	Re: 6 volt or 8 volt?? Dear Sir: Don't waste your time, effort or money converting to 8V. It's a slow road to nowhere. You would be far better of spending that money on making sure you 6 volt system is in top notch shape. Do a SEARCH on 8 volt battery. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ht=volt+system

10-27-2016, 06:43 PM	#24
graderman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Woolwich Maine Posts: 20	Re: 6 volt or 8 volt?? Oh!sorry about that!!!!

10-27-2016, 07:28 PM	#25
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,971	Re: 6 volt or 8 volt?? Fix EVERYTHING that is wrong and everything will work fine on 6v as new. An 8v battery is a kluge but it appears some are happy doing things that way. As for the alternator--if you have electronics in your distributor instead of points they will last longer.

10-28-2016, 12:35 AM	#26
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,185	Re: 6 volt or 8 volt?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) graderman, If your 8 volt battery is in good condition then I would run with it until such time as it needs to be replaced which could be several years yet. Don't need to fix what aint broke. The previous owner of your car obviously found it OK. When the battery needs to be replaced then fit a 6 volt optima battery which is the best you can buy with over 800 cranking amps and a much longer life than normal lead acid batteries. Depending on your charging system, original 3 brush generator with a round ford cut out mounted on top OR an upgraded 2 brush generator with a separate 3 unit voltage regulator then some adjustment may be required for the 6 volt battery. You have not stated which generator you have on your car. There seems to be a real hate against 8 volt batteries here on the Barn, but I have fitted a number of them to various vehicles over many years with good results. Sometimes bulbs can have a shorter than normal life. I have over 50 years in the auto electrical trade in case you are wondering. Regards, Kevin.