VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 8 volt batteries

Talked to an old timer the other day and he mentioned that they sometimes used 8 volt batteries instead of 6 volt with no changes needed to the wiring nor were voltage reducers needed. He claimed it made the car start faster, etc. Is this correct?

He also advised that one could start a 6 volt dead battery using a 12 volt one. He claimed you didn't hook up the 12 volt, just the negative ground and then quickly touched the positive while someone hit the starter. You then pulled the positive back quickly. Seems to me pulling he positive away would create an arc and possibly do some welding. Any comments on this?

Thanks

The 8-volt battery is not necessary nor desired. It will cause you many problems in the long run. A finally tuned 6-volt engine will start and run nicely on the correct 6-volt battery.

A 12-volt battery can be used to safely 'jump-start' a 6-volt powered car. It is recommended you place the red + jumper cable to the + side of the 6-volt battery, and connect the - jumper cable to a good earth location some distance from the battery or starter. It is highly desirable to disconnect the jumper cable as soon as the engine starts.