8 Volt battery on Industrial A

Mo in NE Tx · Nov 17, 2014

A friend of mine has asked me about using an 8 volt battery on his 6 volt system, asking can the volt reg be adjusted to charge 8 volt and how to do it. I have never done it, but do remember lots of older Chevies with 8 volt batteries, but don't remember if they had to do anything to the regulator. ????????????????????? Help!!!

rhtx55 · Nov 17, 2014

Trust me, using an 8 volt battery on a 6 volt system is a temporary fix at best, outside of trying to adjust the voltage regulator, burnt points, lights that only burn a bit brighter, but don't last very long are just the start of your problems. BTDT
The 8 volt battery will help cold starting but keeping one fully charged is always a guess.
The best, 6 volt battery you can afford ( highest cranking amps) is the best place to start, ought (0) or double ought (00) battery cables with soldered ends would be the second fix. All electrical terminals shined up bright & shiny for good contact would be my third.
Have the genny & starter rebuilt ( new brushes, bushing & bearings), clean the contacts inside the voltage regulator and you should be good to go.

WellWorn · Nov 17, 2014

Mo, it's possible to 'tweak' the regulator to keep an 8v battery charged, but it's nearly an art to do so properly. As stated above, if you have lights, they are not going to last long, and keeping an 8v battery well charged is not going to be easy. If you want to keep it "stock', do as gx instructed. If you need to replace a battery anyway, and/or rebuild a genny and replace the regulator, you may as well think about putting an alternator on it with a group 26 12v battery. If it has a coil instead of a magneto, you will need a dropping resistor for the ignition circuit - about $8 from most auto parts stores.

gene bender · Nov 17, 2014

I did other work on a couple that went to a 8v batt both tractors were Cs They didnt change anything just changed batts and stayed with pos gnd. It was common in 40s to put 8v batts in cars so they would start in winter. I would get the starter refreshed first and that probably will solve the problem wouldnt hurt to have the gen refreshed also.

gene bender · Nov 17, 2014

Have you done the change or just suggesting. The 1133 bulbs are rated 6-8v so theres no problem there.

farmallmick · Nov 17, 2014

I run 8 volt on all my Farmalls (H, C, Cub) w/ no problems. I did have the voltage reg. adjusted to charge for 8 volts. No problem for the lights & it turns the engine over faster. I would recommend the change.

Mo in NE Tx · Nov 17, 2014

He wants to keep it as stock as possible and is rebuilding the original gen and regulator at this time and questioned about keeping the 8volt battery for the extra umph when starting.

Janicholson · Nov 17, 2014

Nah-- use a good six volt with plenty of crank amps and nice O-gauge battery cables and they crank very well. Points, Coils, Light bulbs, and light dimming resistors all are subject to added wear and burnout. Jim

teddy52food · Nov 18, 2014

If you are in TX., just get the 6 volt system in shape & you should be good to go. Here in mid Mn. I still have my B and C on 6 volts and the kids use them to haul wood all winter.

pete 23 · Nov 18, 2014

To me, 8 volt batteries are nothing but a pain. Ideally the voltage for keeping it fully charged is right at 1.2 volts per cell, therefore 9.6 volts. A 6 volt system would be 7.2 volts setting, 12 volt 12.4. You can get by with somewhat less than that in warm conditions and continual usage. When you adjust a 6 volt generator to run at that voltage it puts more amperage through the field coils and thus through the voltage regulating points. That makes for even shorter life of those lousy regulators we get now days. I fought with 8 volt systems back in the day and it was like I said, a pain. Much better off with heavy cables and large battery on 6 volts or go all the way and put it on 12 volts.

8 Volt battery on Industrial A

Mo in NE Tx

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gene bender

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gene bender

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farmallmick

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Mo in NE Tx

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