A Good 6V Battery

8N-MW · Jan 19, 2017

Folks,

1948 Ford 8N, 6V Positive Ground, Front-Mount

I'm looking for a good 6V replacement battery. I've been comparing cold-cranking-amps from different retailers as I live in the great frozen Minnesota and use my tractor in the winter to remove snow.

My understanding is it is a "BCI Group 1" size of battery.

I've found about 3-4 different places with different brands. However, they're all exactly 640 CCA with 12 month free replacement and a 24 month warranty.

Suggestions? They're probably all made in the same junk factory with different brand labels slapped on them anyways...

Bruce (VA) · Jan 19, 2017

The original 6V battery is Group Size 1 - 9-1/8 (L) x 7-1/8 (W) x 9-3/8 (H).

When I purchased my 1951 8N, in October, 2002, it came w/ a Deka, model 901MF. The date code on the battery was April, 2000.

I'm not sure how the PO maintained the battery the first two years of it's life, but given the overall condition of the tractor when I purchased it, my bet is it sat unused most of the time.

I always run the N's to operating temp every 3 or 4 weeks if they haven't been used. To make sure the battery doesn't discharge, all the N's now have float chargers. (And that will extend the life of any battery because it stops them from discharging.)

I also keep everything "clean, bright & tight", use the braided strap & 00 gauge positive cables.

So, in addition to it being a well made battery, doing everything else right probably helped this battery to make it 8 years & 6 months!

It finally refused to turn the 1951 over in Sept 2008, so I replaced it w/ a new one. Another Deka, model 901MF; cost w/ exchange was $69. Nine years later, no problems.

Got a Batteries Plus store near you? They sell Duracell 6v batteries.....made by Deka. $75 w/ exchange, 640 CCA.
75 Tips

steve19438 · Jan 19, 2017

hey Bruce would those batteries work in a Ferguson TO 35 6V system too ?

Ron-MO · Jan 19, 2017

Not all made by same manufacturer. I just replaced a Group 1 6 volt in my 8N, and noticed that the one failing was 9 years old, so it served me well, and was pleased with the service, therefore I went to the
same store (Orcheln Farm store not far from me). Not sure who mfg their batteries, or even if they still source from the same that they did back then, but I did not like reviews posted out on Tractor Supply
site as many were complaining about life of ~2 years or so which is far from acceptable to me. Hope I get similar service out of this new one, and cost was about $80 or so. I have no problem paying a
little extra to get a good quality battery that will last well, and I (so far) do not use a battery maintainer of any type, but do put on an older charger if the tractor sits for a month or two without being
fired up.

Ron-MO · Jan 19, 2017

link to battery I just purchased...... not sure if they have a store in your area. Appears price dropped a bit since I purchased mine about a month ago.
Group 1 6 volt battery

Tim PloughNman Daley RIP · Jan 19, 2017

I've been using the INTERSTATE AG 6-volt Group 1 batteries in my N's now without any problems. I get at least 5 years use out of them some longer when maintained like Bruce does. They seem to last the longest compared to 'wally-world, tsc, et al 'bargain brand' batteries. Next time I will try the DEKA one but that won't be for at least another 5/6 years, maybe more.

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Tim PloughNman Daley RIP · Jan 19, 2017

not Bruce but they sure would...

Gaspump · Jan 19, 2017

After buying name brand $85+ 6V batteries for years only to have them quickly fail I decided to call a local golf cart battery shop for advice. Quick deal, they had them and price was $56. Have a few of them now and they are at least equal or better than the name brands. I also found out they stock many automotive batteries. Got one in my Yukon and it is doing very well. No Decka's in our area but if they show up I may try one.

Dean · Jan 19, 2017

About twice each year, Orschlein includes a coupon good for $15.00 off of any car, LT, AG battery.

I never buy one without a coupon.

Dean

steve19438 · Jan 19, 2017

does NAPA sell a decent 6V battery?

Ken(Ark) · Jan 19, 2017

[color=darkred:08eedfbd37][i:08eedfbd37]As of May 1, 2013, there are three major automotive starting flooded battery manufacturers in the United States. There are four absorbed glass-mat (AGM) starting battery manufacturers and there are four flooded deep cycle battery/major deep cycle battery manufacturers in the United States.[/i:08eedfbd37][/color:08eedfbd37]

I do not know if company "A" makes more than one 6V battery per physical size as in a 640 cca and a 525 cca in a "BCI Group 1" or they just make one standard battery . Company "B" may not even make a 6V if the market is not big enough .

From what I have read a lead acid battery is kind of like your teeth . If your battery is discharged , crystals form on the plates (think plaque) if left for a long enough time they become solid . If the battery is slowly recharged (think brushing) the soft crystals are dissolved . If a battery has been dead for awhile a slow overnight 1 - 2 amp charge is better than quicker 10+ amp charge .

Automotive batteries are made for a high discharge and a quick recharge . A deep cycle battery has a different amount of plates with a different spacing better suited for a long slow discharge and a long slow recharge .

I read this on the internet so I know it is 100% accurate , or not , LOL :wink:

BushogPapa · Jan 19, 2017

What I would Suggest is for you to consider getting a "Battery Heater"..it is a resistance Pad that installs along side the Battery, then make an insulated surround to cover the sides AND top of the Battery...
I used some Foam from a Construction site..ir had aluminum on one side and was either white of Blue.. Be sure to peel any off that might cause a short.. Good old Duct tape can do the job of putting it together...

It takes very little to keep those batteries 40 Degrees warmer or so and they WILL start you better..If you put a magnetic Oil Pan Heater under it and turn that on for an hour, the oil will already be WARM and the total makes them start like Summertime..!

If you do these things, you don't need the most expensive, Highest CCA Battery...

tractorguy2 · Jan 19, 2017

I use carquest 6 volts. Never had one yet that didn't last 8+ years. NAPA batteries you want to avoid. They are junk.

grapeview8n · Jan 19, 2017

Here's my choice. Working tractor not an "exact" fit, but at 800CCA it can't be beat. Tractor sits for a month or 2 and still fires right up. Got tired of paying for a new lead-acid every 2 or 3 years. This one is going on it's third year and no sign of weakening. They are available from other sources if you don't like Amazon. They were just the best price for me, and it came to my door.

https://smile.amazon.com/Optima-Batteries-8010-044-Starting-Battery/dp/B00099HVN6/ref=sr_1_16?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1484881948&sr=1-16&keywords=optima+battery

steve19438 · Jan 20, 2017

at that price it better last a few years.

so how do you get rid of the old battery? (legally)

cityslicker88 · Jan 20, 2017

I just purchased a Duracell battery from Batteries Plus. The salesman told me that no recycle lead was used in it and the best quality.

Wheres Waldo · Jan 20, 2017

My Brother-in-Law had an optima battery that he was becoming afraid of, as he lives in the Colorado Rockies. Now, it was four years old and he gave it to me. I carried it home to Ioway where it sat for a couple years. I decided I'd try it in the 8N as its' 12 volt had died to the point of no return. Slow charged that Optima and you know, I got five years out of it. Eleven years and NOT taken care of for at least two of them.

notjustair · Jan 20, 2017

I've had good luck with the Napa six volts. It's in a six cylinder chore truck with a cutout (read lower charging rate/amount as truck runs lower
engine speeds often). I've been quite surprised at it and it's ability to get her going in the single digits. I don't use any maintainer on the battery
or engine regardless of temp or sitting time.

Colin King · Jan 20, 2017

NAPA 6 volts have served me well.

Where in MN are you? I'm in Long Prairie.

Colin

fredstev · Jan 20, 2017

I've got the battery out of my 871 right now while installing a foot throttle. It's a NAPA group 1 660 cca dated March 2009. Still works great.

WGM · Jan 20, 2017

I'd be off to your local CNH dealer for an OEM battery. That's if they still carry 6v batteries. And all of the brainiacs on this board can criticize
this post but CNH sells the best batteries out there. I have them in everything even a JD 4020 and in my bride's car. They last for years.

Mr. T. Minnesota · Jan 21, 2017

(quoted from post at 15:50:34 01/19/17) Folks,

1948 Ford 8N, 6V Positive Ground, Front-Mount

I'm looking for a good 6V replacement battery. I've been comparing cold-cranking-amps from different retailers as I live in the great frozen Minnesota and use my tractor in the winter to remove snow.

My understanding is it is a "BCI Group 1" size of battery.

I've found about 3-4 different places with different brands. However, they're all exactly 640 CCA with 12 month free replacement and a 24 month warranty.

Suggestions? They're probably all made in the same junk factory with different brand labels slapped on them anyways...

Hawk,
Just purchased the biggest 6 volt that would fit my '48 8N at Mills Fleet Farm in Brainerd. Cost was about $90.00. Checked around and thought it was the best option for the price. If you are concerned about cold weather starts a hose heater is advised.
HTH
Mr. T. Minnesota

8N-MW · Jan 21, 2017

Wow! Lots of Minnesota folks here. I'm south of Alexandria.

A Good 6V Battery

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