VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 6 volt battery versus 8 volt

I picked up a stock 46, four door stylemaster 6 months ago and I'm just starting to get into it. I noticed that there is a 8 volt battery in it and a mechanic said I should stay with the 8 volt versus converting back to the 6. Can anyone tell the advantage in keeping this set up. Where do you charge a 8 volt battery on a standard 6-12 volt charger? Would the engine be harder to start with a new, fully charged, 6 volt? I've turned the motor over by hand, so I don't think that's a problem. Thanks for any info. Dan O.

Avoid lots of headaches and nightmares.........go back to the 6 volt system and leave it that way.

8 volt batterys were the rage for old farm tractors when I was a kid. Unfortunately, most of the time, the installer did not know how to reset the regulator to allow the battery to be recharged to 8 volts. Once the original charge in the battery was used down to the 6 volt level, it would never again have the desired 8 volts. You were back to square one.
Make sure your generator, starter and regulator are working properly and that your wiring (and grounds) are good. Get a good 6 volt battery and you should be in good shape.
Mike

I was "LUCKY" enough to have a elderly friend of mine clean out his old work shop, and come across a NOS still in the original box "Atlas" 6V battery date coded from june of 1948. that just happened to be the correct series battery for my 47. I almost died when he called me!! I picked it up, took it to a Batteries Plus store to get filled with electrolyte, and the darn thing took a charge!!!
I have been driving with it ever since with NO problems!!! Believe me, go back to the 6 volt system!!!

Dry batteries didn't come out until the '60's-?????? or late'50's.

A gentleman on the on the internet who said he had access to ATLAS date codes told me they were from 48. All I know for sure is that its really old, and has the same set up as the old chevy batterys with the two outside cell connectors, and the yellow caps, with the ATLAS yellow graphics. Looks a whole lot better then a fleet farm 6v. I guess my original point was to say how well the orig. 6v system works when properly maintained.

I was hoping I'd get the encouragement to go back to the orginial equipment. I've had several older chevys in my younger days and don't remember having any problem starting and operating the vehicle on 6 volts. Thanks to all who replied, (it's nice to have a forum to get info).
Thanks again. Dan O.
P.S. Now I'll be looking for a rear exterior door handle and maybe a stock radio. Anyone have a source for these items?

Since the conversion from 6v to 8v was made prior to your purchase you may want to take a good look at the battery cables, make sure all connections to the battery and ground are clean, and most of all be sure that you have 6v battery cables not 12v. You need at least an 01 gage positive cable and a reproduction or original woven style ground cable. If you cannot find an 01 positive have one built at a battery automotive electric shop. Mine cost $17.00. The cable on the 52 was large enough that I thought it was a proper size, had to replace it due to corrosion on the battery end and peeled back the insulation there was just a scrawny weak kneed 12v cable under all that plastic.

Post what you need in the 'Parts wanted' section here on Chatter and cross your fingers.

The G&D is the other source, you can run ads free if you are a member of the VCCA.

GLYN,
Thanks for the info. I was planning on purchasing new cables and a new regulator. I'll make sure to order the heavier 01 guage wire.
Gator,
I'll try and keep my request to the proper forum.
Thanks for the feed back.
Dan O.

Dan, unless you "must" have an original appearing cable, A ready source for 0 gauge cables is Tractor Supply Company on any store that supplies cables for farm tractors. I just had cables done for my 28 at a alternator shop out of 0 gauge welding cable, welding cables are made from finer copper stranded wire and are much more flexable and durable than regular battery cable wire.

I have a 0000 copper stranded welding cable on my car and it works great!

Do the judges deduct points for 0000 welding cable?

The original cables had a woven covering....If they were on-the-ball they would deduct for the plastic covered cable and the size.

That makes sense!

Thanks,

MrMack, I'm not that worried about winning any contest for now and I don't think there's a Tractor Supply anywhere in this area. I was going to have cables made at the local Auto/Electric Parts place here in town. Thanks for the info. (I'll see what the locals can do with making the cables out of the finer wire.) My thanks to all "again". Dan O.

dan o's 46,

if your auto elctric house can't help you, you might try an industrial battery service (forklifts, equipment, boats, rv's, etc.) or a welding supply...


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