Using 8 v battery

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Jul 1, 2011 | 07:28 AM

jameszeesmith

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jul 2011

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Using 8 v battery

Hello,

48 F-3, 6 cyl engine

I was thinking about using a 8 volt battery to replace my 6 volt. Since my rebuild of the original 226 6- cyl, the engine seems tight and doesn't crank easily. My battery guy said try an 8 volt? Any thoughts about this? Can I tweak the volt regulator to output enought voltage to charge the 8 volt battery. Will this burn out anything?

Better solutions...12volt/6 volt hybrid?

Thanks guys, my first post

Jul 1, 2011 | 09:33 AM

tinman52

Welder User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 5,269

Likes: 50

From: northwest MT

If you are going to buy a battery, get a GOOD 6 volt battery. They are available up to about 900 cold cranking amps. 8V batteries are a waste of money, IMO...

You may want to check the condition of your starter, batt cables and ground straps. Cables need to be large and grounds need to be many. Starter drag is usually what causes slow cranking, IMO....

My flathead v8 is fairly tight still, and starts easily with a 6V battery....
Again, only my opinion...

Also, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!!!!

Last edited by tinman52; Jul 1, 2011 at 09:36 AM. Reason: add stuff

Jul 1, 2011 | 04:04 PM

fking1

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 825

Likes: 3

From: Michigan

tI had an 8 volt in my 55 6 volt system for a while. The regulator needs to be set up to charge 8. Could never get the 8 volts from the reg and eventually the bat died.
Went back to a 6 volt and it works fine.

Jul 1, 2011 | 04:29 PM

raytasch

Believe Nothing

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 7,512

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From: W. Central FL.

Make certain you have big ol' heavy duty battery cables, heavy enough to carry the amperage for six volts. I've seen folks go to the auto parts store and get a light weight cable, about half the size of one needed for six volts and then wonder why the machine would not start. You need at least #2 cables with clean tight ends....., a good working starter and a good battery.

Jul 1, 2011 | 04:51 PM

38 coupe

Cargo Master

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 2,916

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From: Houston

I've never seen good results with an 8V battery. Take off the batter cable connections, clean them, and snug them back down. Make sure your grounds are not loose. Make sure the jam nut on the copper stud on the starter is not loose. If everything is good and tight 6V works great. I prefer #1 cable size for 6V.