Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-26-2021, 02:40 PM   #1
Royal Ryser
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 553
Default How much is 6 volts?

Actually, what should the voltage be for a fully charged 6 volt battery? Any difference between an Optima and a regular lead-acid battery?
Royal Ryser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 02:55 PM   #2
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,926
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Most of my lead acid 6V have been in the 6.29 to 6.35 Volts by my VO meter
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 07-26-2021, 02:55 PM   #3
Lawson Cox
Senior Member
 
Lawson Cox's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia
Posts: 7,009
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Optima costs more but lasts three times as long with no corrosion. Oh, 6V.
__________________
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes.

It is better to be seen, than viewed.

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".
Lawson Cox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 03:35 PM   #4
slowforty
Senior Member
 
slowforty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tinley Park Ill
Posts: 1,055
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

I got an Optima from Amazon and they gave me $150 off if I got their credit card which I will probably never use
slowforty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 03:36 PM   #5
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,935
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Royal Ryser View Post
Actually, what should the voltage be for a fully charged 6 volt battery? Any difference between an Optima and a regular lead-acid battery?
To answer the question asked, right around 6.3v fully charged. Optima or acid, it's still right about 6.3v.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 03:41 PM   #6
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,926
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I thought I did answer the question?
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 03:53 PM   #7
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,935
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfla View Post
I thought I did answer the question?
You did. As did I.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 04:03 PM   #8
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,069
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Now, now, boys, let's not forget that it's a hobby.
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 04:05 PM   #9
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

There are battery state of charge charts that can give you an idea of what the battery charge is.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg maxresdefault.jpg (50.5 KB, 68 views)
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 05:21 PM   #10
cadillac512
Senior Member
 
cadillac512's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Kansas
Posts: 897
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Typical conventional lead-acid batteries are approximately 2.1 volts per cell...and provide the voltages that the esteemed gentlemen above referenced.
Terry
__________________
"It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick)


'41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine
'66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302
cadillac512 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 06:42 PM   #11
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,926
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kube View Post
You did. As did I.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidG View Post
Now, now, boys, let's not forget that it's a hobby.
NO hard feelings or Ill intent, just trying to be an “Ellic Smart”!!! Sorry Kube & DavidG!!! MY BAD!!!
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 06:48 PM   #12
VeryTangled
Senior Member
 
VeryTangled's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC
Posts: 3,386
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Auto batteries are 2.1V per cell @ 100% charge.
__________________
-Jeff H

Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?
VeryTangled is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 08:36 PM   #13
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

BTW, Optima's are still lead-acid batteries; they just do it differently using AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) technology.

Last edited by tubman; 07-27-2021 at 08:50 AM. Reason: Forgot a ")"
tubman is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2021, 08:56 PM   #14
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

And optimas do not like to be topped off every sitting day. Same with cell phone batteries. You can over cycle them. if you leave them plugged in all time. It's okay to let them run down. If your charging system is decent you don't need to tend them, never have. You don't need to leave your garage everytime with a "fully" charged battery. Optima batteries going on 10 and 14 yrs now.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2021, 08:27 AM   #15
Royal Ryser
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 553
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Thanks for the help, guys. I asked this question on the Barn because I knew I'd get a quick, accurate answer, and maybe some humor? too.
Royal Ryser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2021, 08:39 AM   #16
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,926
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Royal Ryser View Post
Thanks for the help, guys. I asked this question on the Barn because I knew I'd get a quick, accurate answer, and maybe some humor? too.
All be it "Sarcastic" hopefully NOT obnoxious!!
rockfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2021, 01:39 PM   #17
Crankster
Senior Member
 
Crankster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 563
Default Re: How much is 6 volts?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Royal Ryser View Post
Actually, what should the voltage be for a fully charged 6 volt battery? Any difference between an Optima and a regular lead-acid battery?
Yes, there is. I always recommend reading primary sources, in this case, why not find out what Optima says?

https://www.optimabatteries.com/expe...attery-voltage!

In the 12 volt universe there is some misunderstanding on what a "fully charged" battery will measure, because battery chemistry and materials have changed a fair bit over the years. Now it is true most people will not care a whit, just so long as there is enough juice to start the car. But for the nerds, the ODC types, the numbers vary.

"Modern" maintenance-free sealed car batteries - invented in 1971 btw - have a different open circuit voltage when fully charged than a "standard lead-acid" battery. (The kind with filler caps to add distilled water) The latter when fully charged, measure 12.65 volts at 77° F; maintenance free and AGM on the other hand, will measure 12.80 volts.

A tenth or two of a volt doesn't sound like much, but as a percentage of battery charge it looms large, especially over a period of time, because of what's called permanent sulfation. Batteries are getting expensive to buy now. They tend to last much longer, and give better service, when preventive maintenance is followed. So, an OPTIMA 6V battery depending on which flavor you buy, is going to measure about 6.4 volts (or more).

I know one of the selling points of the OPTIMA is they laugh at neglect, but I can't help but wonder if they would last even longer with a little TLC now and then? Maybe.

It's also important to pay attention when choosing a battery charger, there are GEL cells, AGM, spiral wound, as well as "deep cycle" or marine batteries available, it's not just the good ole lead-acid automotive start batteries around anymore. They all have slightly different charging profiles and/or discharge characteristics. When spending bigger bucks on these fancy pants boutique battery, I'd especially want to make sure it gets charged "just right", not too much, not too little.

Some people suggest a strategy of buying a really good, high quality battery charger, coupled with a more middling quality battery, versus an equivalent amount of money spent on the "best" warranty and high CCA battery alone.
Crankster is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:02 PM.