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Old 02-05-2018, 07:49 PM   #1
adavis
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Default 8 volt battery question

My 31 has difficulty starting when it gets cold so I started looking around to see if there is anything I can do. I still run the 6v system, but I have upgraded to a Pertronix in a vintage Mallory Dual-Point distributor. After some research I've come to the conclusion that an 8v battery is the way to go. I called Pertronix and they verified that it won't damage their unit....in fact it will help.
Well, I find myself at the local mega farm store yesterday and they have five of their 8v batteries on the shelf. I was about to throw one in my cart when I looked at the label.....and here's my question.
The battery I've ran for the last 5 years is a carquest #1-30. If you look up the specs it has 800 CA and 640 CCA. OK great you say, but if everyone says that an 8v battery is supposed to crank the engine better than how come the battery I'm looking to buy (#c8v-1) has LESS CA and CCA??? I'm definitely not an electrical guy, but how can a battery with less cranking amps do a better job of cranking over an engine? I'm ASSUMING it has to do with some calculation based on the voltage, resistance, and amperage but I just want to make sure before I lay down the cash.
Thanks in advance for the simply electrical lesson.....I'm sure that's all I need.
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Old 02-05-2018, 08:29 PM   #2
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

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After some research I've come to the conclusion that an 8v battery is the way to go ... Thanks in advance for the simply electrical lesson.....I'm sure that's all I need.
I think it begs the question. Can you point to a link or where your research led to this conclusion? Not trying to be combative here, but I'm wondering why this is the answer. Do they sell 8 volt battery chargers?
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Old 02-05-2018, 08:41 PM   #3
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

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I think it begs the question. Can you point to a link or where your research led to this conclusion? Not trying to be combative here, but I'm wondering why this is the answer. Do they sell 8 volt battery chargers?
I completely understand. I've heard of the 8v battery trick before so this winter I started researching it. From what I've found online as well as talking to the local guys it seems like there is no drawbacks from running an 8v battery....only the advantage of better engine cranking and a little brighter bulbs. I figure that I'm probably due for a new battery anyway seeing that my current 6v battery is 5 years old.

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Old 02-05-2018, 08:58 PM   #4
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

Run an extra ground strap directly to the transmission. This may help. Jeff
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Old 02-05-2018, 08:59 PM   #5
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

If I'm wrong I know someone will correct me, but I don't believe am 8 volt battery in a 6 volt system will ever be fully charged. I also think it will shorten the life of your light bulbs. you should do a search here on the Barn because I know 8 volt batteries have been discussed before.
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Old 02-05-2018, 09:16 PM   #6
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MY dad ran 8 volt batteries in all his old cars and trucks for many many years. A 6 volt charging system, or battery charger, will charge up an 8 volt battery just fine without any changes. Your cars electrical system will handle it as well. Many people will question your decision and say you should stay with 6 volt but mechanically you will be fine and it WILL spin your starter over faster. I chose to stay with 6 volt myself but although it gets into the teens at night around here it is in the 30s or 40s by the time I drive around.
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Old 02-05-2018, 09:21 PM   #7
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

I don't use an 8 volt battery. I do know that my completely stock original 6 volt model A generator fully charges my 12 volt battery. The model A generator will charge whatever battery that it is connected to up to 40 volts . The generator charges in amps. Using an 8 volt battery could very well shorten 6 volt bulb life . Original type bulbs are pretty cheap and would last a while . The best bet for a more powerfull electrical system is a 12 volt conversion. A 12 volt positive ground conversion doesn't require changing a single wire . Good 12 volt bulbs are readily available that fit the original sockets , even halogen
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Old 02-05-2018, 09:27 PM   #8
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

Volts do all the work.
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Old 02-05-2018, 09:33 PM   #9
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

Amps charge the battery !!!
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Old 02-05-2018, 09:39 PM   #10
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

I understand the benefits of converting to 12v, but I'm dead set on running an old 6v Echlin beehive coil so I'm stuck. I haven't had an issue with the 6v system other than it cranks slow when it's cold. I can start the car if I hook a charger to it. I realize that the issue might be the age of my current 6v battery (5 years) but it does test 6.4v with a multimeter. From what I've read/heard an 8v battery is a good upgrade so I planned on buying one to try, but I was concerned when I saw the cranking amps were lower on the 8v than the 6v. That's what didn't make sense.
I have been told I'll need to adjust my voltage regulator to 8.5v but other than that all should be fine.

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Old 02-05-2018, 09:43 PM   #11
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

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I understand the benefits of converting to 12v, but I'm dead set on running an old 6v Echlin beehive coil so I'm stuck. I haven't had an issue with the 6v system other than it cranks slow when it's cold. I can start the car if I hook a charger to it. I realize that the issue might be the age of my current 6v battery (5 years) but it does test 6.4v with a multimeter. From what I've read/heard an 8v battery is a good upgrade so I planned on buying one to try, but I was concerned when I saw the cranking amps were lower on the 8v than the 6v. That's what didn't make sense.
I have been told I'll need to adjust my voltage regulator to 8.5v but other than that all should be fine.

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Old 02-05-2018, 09:55 PM   #12
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

fix what is wrong with your car and the original 6 volt system will work fine.
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Old 02-05-2018, 10:04 PM   #13
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

I agree. A good working 6 volt system will work the best. Find the problem and fix it. ����
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Old 02-05-2018, 10:05 PM   #14
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

Some people just want a more powerfull electrical system. There was nothing wrong with the six volt system on my roadster.Six volts is a bare get by.
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Old 02-05-2018, 10:07 PM   #15
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

Ok that makes sense.

So let's ASSUME that everything is fine but my old 6v battery is wore out. Can someone tell me why I shouldn't install an 8v battery? Or why anyone wouldn't install an 8v battery for that matter. If the only drawback is having to adjust your voltage regulator and bulbs not lasting as long (but burning brighter while they work) then I guess I don't see why more people don't switch (other than a 100 point restoration car).


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Old 02-05-2018, 10:09 PM   #16
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

I tried the 8 volt battery .. Worked great But I have an electronic voltage regulator inside my generator which is trying to maintain 6.6volts hence the 8 volt battery never charged .. switch back to the 6 volt battery and everything works fine


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Old 02-05-2018, 10:10 PM   #17
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

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Ok that makes sense.

So let's ASSUME that everything is fine but my old 6v battery is wore out. Can someone tell me why I shouldn't install an 8v battery? Or why anyone wouldn't install an 8v battery for that matter. If the only drawback is having to adjust your voltage regulator and bulbs not lasting as long (but burning brighter while they work) then I guess I don't see why more people don't switch (other than a 100 point restoration car).


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8 volt batteries can be more difficult to come by, I guess that's just one reason why some don't.

I just use 6 volt batteries because that's what's suppose to be used and I've never had a problem with them.
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Old 02-05-2018, 10:41 PM   #18
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

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I understand the benefits of converting to 12v, but I'm dead set on running an old 6v Echlin beehive coil so I'm stuck. I haven't had an issue with the 6v system other than it cranks slow when it's cold. I can start the car if I hook a charger to it. I realize that the issue might be the age of my current 6v battery (5 years) but it does test 6.4v with a multimeter. From what I've read/heard an 8v battery is a good upgrade so I planned on buying one to try, but I was concerned when I saw the cranking amps were lower on the 8v than the 6v. That's what didn't make sense.
I have been told I'll need to adjust my voltage regulator to 8.5v but other than that all should be fine.

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I've ran the beehive six volt coils on six volt .The ones that I used were oil filled . You can shake your coil and either feel or hear the oil sloshing if your coil is oil filled . Oil filled coils must be mounted upside down from the way that the model A coil was mounted or they will fail quickly. I didn't know this at the time and went through a few coils before I found out what was causing the poroblem. In other words , if your coil is oil filled like my beehive coil was , the big wire that comes off the coil and connects to the distributor cap needs to be pointing upward when the coil is mounted. I'm not trying to tell you what to do . I'm just tring to give helpfull info to whoever it may concern . A person can run a six volt coil on 12 volts if a ballast resister is used . Eight volt batteries and bulbs are not always readily available, that is why I chose 12 volts .

Last edited by Purdy Swoft; 02-05-2018 at 10:47 PM. Reason: added info
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Old 02-05-2018, 10:52 PM   #19
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

Adjust your voltage regulator???? I take it you don't have a stock charging system? The battery is the regulator on an original charging system. Original charging system will charge an 8V battery just fine but all your bulbs are going to burn out early. If you have a good 6V battery with the proper sized battery cables, and a ground strap between starter and frame, 6 V will crank the engine just fine for winter starts.
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Old 02-05-2018, 10:54 PM   #20
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

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I tried the 8 volt battery .. Worked great But I have an electronic voltage regulator inside my generator which is trying to maintain 6.6volts hence the 8 volt battery never charged .. switch back to the 6 volt battery and everything works fine


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The nurex voltage regulator that takes the place of the third brush will only charge six volts . If you want the original generator to charge an 8 volt battery you will need to use a good cut out or a Fun Projects voltage regulator. The Fun Projects regulator takes the place of the cut out and is available in 6 ,8 ,and 12 volt versions.
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Old 02-06-2018, 12:41 AM   #21
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Default 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?
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Old 02-06-2018, 03:58 AM   #22
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Default 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.
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Old 02-06-2018, 05:38 AM   #23
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Default 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 .
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Old 02-06-2018, 08:19 AM   #24
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The higher the voltage the less amps required. Remember Volts do all the work.
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Old 02-06-2018, 08:40 AM   #25
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Default 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.
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Old 02-06-2018, 10:01 AM   #26
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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.
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Old 02-06-2018, 12:32 PM   #27
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

I tried 8v with no luck . charging system not up to it . good 6v with good grounds or 12v .
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Old 02-06-2018, 03:22 PM   #28
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Default 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.
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Old 02-06-2018, 03:40 PM   #29
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Default 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.
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Old 02-06-2018, 03:58 PM   #30
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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.
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Old 02-06-2018, 04:10 PM   #31
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Using an 8 Volt battery is as STUPID/DUMB/DESTRUCTIVE, as filling your engine with 140W GEAROIL.
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Old 02-06-2018, 05:19 PM   #32
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Bill. How's it going.
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Old 02-06-2018, 07:01 PM   #33
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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???
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Old 02-06-2018, 09:26 PM   #34
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The higher the voltage the less amps required. Remember Volts do all the work.
Less amps required means less work for the generator , cooler operation plus longer life .
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Old 02-06-2018, 10:38 PM   #35
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Default 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?
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Old 02-06-2018, 10:47 PM   #36
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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 .
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Old 02-06-2018, 10:52 PM   #37
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Default 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.
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Old 02-06-2018, 10:55 PM   #38
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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 .
Ugh, I've learned that one, several times!
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Old 02-06-2018, 11:15 PM   #39
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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 .
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Old 02-06-2018, 11:50 PM   #40
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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 .
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
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Old 02-07-2018, 10:15 AM   #41
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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
Do Potato Guns make TATER-TOTS?
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Old 02-07-2018, 11:21 AM   #42
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Old 02-07-2018, 12:37 PM   #43
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

When I bought my 30 PU it had a 8 volt battery in it. Soon learned that the slighest bump in the road and my blulbs would burn out. Soon got rid of the 8 volt, problem solved.
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Old 02-07-2018, 01:26 PM   #44
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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
Good info . Thanks !!!
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Old 02-07-2018, 02:16 PM   #45
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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.
If theres nothing wrong with a 6 volt system , a person can get by with it , if they want too !!! As for the starter , here goes ... The rear bushing in the sdtarter is usually the first to wear and cause starter drag . If a person has no experience with starters, here is the easy way to replace the rear bushing . Remove the starter bendix . Remove the woodruf key from the armature shaft .The rear mounting plate of the starter can be removed without removing the armature and upsetting the 4 starter brushes . Carefully loosen the two long screws that hold the starter together . Grasp the armature shaft while carefully sliding the rear mounting plate off the armature. The rear plate can be slipped of the shaft without upsetting the where the armature rides on the brushes . The old worn out rear bushing can be removed and replaced and the rear mounting plate replaced without upsetting anything . If a person uses care . If a person wants to go farther with the starter overhaul I would recommend only replacing the two carbon brushes . Replacing the two bronze brushes is a job that is best left for an electrical shop if needed . The bronze brushes solder to the field coils and is a close adifficult job that can easily result in a ruined starter or field coils . I always reuse the original bronze brushess . Compare the new brushes with the original brushes . The bronze brushes usually last over a lifetime and even if they show a little wear are still good for maybe another lifetime .

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Old 02-07-2018, 02:39 PM   #46
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Wow....this thread really got a response. I'm glad to be a member of the barn for this very reason. Thank you for all the input.

As it turns out, I took my 6v battery to 3 different shops yesterday and all of them tested it having a bad cell. Looks like I'll be getting a new 6v battery and all should be good.

Thanks again everyone. Now I'm off to find a bbq igniter to launch some potatoes at the fence.

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Old 02-07-2018, 05:09 PM   #47
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

If you have a BI-MART near you I have had good luck with their 6 volt batteries. I get 7-8 years average.
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Old 02-08-2018, 08:56 PM   #48
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If you have a BI-MART near you I have had good luck with their 6 volt batteries. I get 7-8 years average.
BATTERIES are like EGGS, don't "OVERCOOK" them
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Old 02-09-2018, 09:26 AM   #49
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BATTERIES are like EGGS, don't "OVERCOOK" them
Chef Bill
they are also like eggs as its not wise to sit on them either or throw them at others
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Old 02-09-2018, 09:28 AM   #50
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Wow....this thread really got a response. I'm glad to be a member of the barn for this very reason. Thank you for all the input.

As it turns out, I took my 6v battery to 3 different shops yesterday and all of them tested it having a bad cell. Looks like I'll be getting a new 6v battery and all should be good.

Thanks again everyone. Now I'm off to find a bbq igniter to launch some potatoes at the fence.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
fyi if you make the potato gun with a 1" diameter barrel those jumbo marshmallows fit perfectly - great fun to fire them at one another
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Old 02-09-2018, 02:52 PM   #51
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fyi if you make the potato gun with a 1" diameter barrel those jumbo marshmallows fit perfectly - great fun to fire them at one another
Wonder what would happen, if you BOILED or BAKED the potato, first
My delinquent Friends shot one over the block at a 45 Degree angle, hope it didn't hit anyone! If it did, they'd call him "MR. POTATO HEAD"---Remember those?
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Old 02-09-2018, 04:30 PM   #52
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

I remember when manufacturers changed beer & pop cans from the straight walled design they had. I was crestfallen. Oh no! This meant that the tennis ball cannon were no longer practical from easily sourced neighborhood materials. For those who didn't grow up with them, they were a simple device. 7 or 8 cans had both ends removed and joined with duct tape (black hockey tape was traditional) one can on the bottom left intact, with a small hole in the bottom as a touch off. Lighter fluid (or hair spray?) was propellant of choice. A tennis ball was the perfect diameter.
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Old 02-10-2018, 10:22 AM   #53
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

I hate to drag this enlightening discussion back on topic, but while browsing old posts I ran across one from Jan. 31, 2107 started by smooth one. I tried to post a link, but can't figure out how.
It runs contrary to some of the earlier info in this thread. I find it hard to believe that things have changed in 12 months.
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Old 02-10-2018, 05:46 PM   #54
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You might try jan 31, 2007
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Old 02-10-2018, 06:08 PM   #55
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I hate to drag this enlightening discussion back on topic, but while browsing old posts I ran across one from Jan. 31, 2107 started by smooth one. I tried to post a link, but can't figure out how.
It runs contrary to some of the earlier info in this thread. I find it hard to believe that things have changed in 12 months.
You post a link by opening the place you want to link to. Next highlight the address and copy it. (cntl "C" on a PC and command "C"). Now go to where you want the link and paste it (cntl "V" on a PC and command "V" on a MAC).

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Old 02-10-2018, 06:09 PM   #56
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

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I hate to drag this enlightening discussion back on topic, but while browsing old posts I ran across one from Jan. 31, 2107 started by smooth one. I tried to post a link, but can't figure out how.
It runs contrary to some of the earlier info in this thread. I find it hard to believe that things have changed in 12 months.
You post a link by opening the place you want to link to. Next highlight the address and copy it. (cntl "C" on a PC and command "C"). Now go to where you want the link and paste it (cntl "V" on a PC and command "V" on a MAC). Play with it a little in the "Test Forum".

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Old 02-13-2018, 10:49 PM   #57
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You might try jan 31, 2007
George, My fat fingers sometime type faster than I think they should. Correct date for the old thread is Jan. 31, 2017 If I was looking for a thread from Jan 31, 2107, I'd have to replace the dead battery in my time machine and I know an 8 volt wouldn't do the trick!
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Old 02-14-2018, 11:13 AM   #58
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

Early in the post there was a statement that they could not covert to 12V due to a 6 volt coil. Coils do not care much about voltage.
Ohms is what is important.
I am 12V and use the following: An old coil 1.4 ohms using an external resistor no problems.
If I run a new coil I would run a 3 ohm coil and no resistor on a 12 V system.
8 Volt system I would stay with the 6 volt 1.4 coil and no resistor.


I use to use an 8 V battery in an old Chris Craft 6cy flathead. 6 volts was a real strain to turn over that bad boy.


Remember the lower the ohms the higher the voltage output.
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Old 02-14-2018, 11:09 PM   #59
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Exactly ! Though i'm not recommending an 8 volt battery , A model A generator will charge an 8 volt battery . The thing is , if you allready have a nurex internal voltage regulator that takes the place of the third brush installed in the generator , it will only charge a 6 volt battery . Then theres the thing about the bulbs . An 8 volt battery, though it can be made to work , is just not practical for the model A . For a more powerfull electrical system, the 12 volt battery is practical . Positive ground works good for me . If the 12 volt battery is connected positive ground , no wires will need to be changed . The original ammeter will work perfectly . If you take a notion to change back to 6 volt , all that will be necessare is remove the resistor and replace the six volt battery . Just to make this clear , I'm not tring to convince anybody to do anything .This is just for anyone that is interested in practical possibilities .
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Old 02-15-2018, 07:38 PM   #60
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

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I use to use an 8 V battery in an old Chris Craft 6cy flathead. 6 volts was a real strain to turn over that bad boy.


For the last couple decades I too have used 8 volt batteries in a 1946 Chris Craft 17 foot runabout that we've had for about 40 years. Works great. I changed to a solid state cut-out switch a few years ago. That was another worthwhile upgrade. No more sticking contacts to drain the battery when the engine was not running.
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Old 02-17-2018, 05:26 PM   #61
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

I thought it was great years ago when I saw Farm & Fleet had 8 volt batteries and so my touring friend and I both put them in our cars. The only problem we had was burning out bulbs. If we were running down the road and turned on the lights we blew some bulbs. We didn't run the 8 volt battery very long. Tired of putting bulbs in. Just my experience.
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Old 02-18-2018, 11:48 AM   #62
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

If your 6 volt system has been totaly checked out, such as: Generater output(a little over 6 volts,all electrical connections (batt. connections, must be snug, ground cable and safety fuse if you are using one?,) naturaly good 6v. battery. let use know how you make out, good luck. 8 volt batterys creat mor problems than they cure (my opinion only).
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Old 02-18-2018, 09:23 PM   #63
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

Tom, an actual electrician I gather, came closest to answering the original question: Why does more volts require fewer amps? I'll add my 2-cents worth.

Water flow/pressure is a common analogy used to explain electricity for folks who are are uncomfortable thinking about electrons and dealing with units of energy, etc.: Amps would be like the amount of water going over a water fall, while volts is like the height (or pressure) of the water fall. The amount of work the water fall can do for you depends on the combination: the more height you have, the less flow you need, and vice-versa.

In reality, amps is a measure of how much charge (such as electrons in wires) moves past a point in a second, and volts is the difference in energy per charge that the electrons have after traveling between two locations (such as battery terminals). The units of charge and energy involve funny words like coulombs and ergs, and there's no need to go into them here.

The point is, just as the amount of gravitational work you can get out of a waterfall depends on both the height and flow of the water fall, the amount of electrical work you can get out of a battery depends on both the voltage and amperage of the battery. And, thus, for example, the wiring in a 12V system doesn't have to be as heavy as in a 6v because only half as many electrons are going to have to make the journey from one terminal to the other to release the same amount of energy and do the same amount of work.

By the way, you might have noticed the key word, DIFFERENCE, in the definition of voltage: There is no such thing as the absolute voltage at some point; it always must be measured relative to the energy the electrons would have at some other point.

Last edited by steve s; 02-18-2018 at 09:53 PM.
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Old 02-19-2018, 08:36 AM   #64
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Default Re: 8 volt battery question

I never had a problem starting the A,anywhere from 10 deg. on up.locate your problem or problems and rectify them,no bandaid 8 volt battery!
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Old 02-19-2018, 10:02 AM   #65
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I found out with my 53 Jeep that when you have an 8v Battery and are 2 miles from home in the middle of the night, the headlights going out can be concerning. Jack
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Old 02-19-2018, 11:12 AM   #66
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I don't understand how people could think that it would just be okay to take light bulbs that were designed for 6 volts and run them at 8 volts. Motors, like horns and starters maybe, but not white-hot filaments! Sure, they'll be nice and bright--for a while.
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