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8V Battery..... Charger

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banjoman09

Well-known Member
Please tell me how to charge my tractor 8V battery...I have tried to find an 8V charger but no luck. I read some one said to
put an "inline 10watt resistor" in a 12V charger...how in the heck you do that boys? Thanks!
 
8 volt battery at best is a band aid fix for other problem in a 6 volt system. Either fix the 6 volt system or switch to 1 volts. A 6 volt charge will charge it to around 7-7.5 volt and a 12 volt charger will over charge it and unless you want to make up the circuit to make a 12 volt charger 8 volts then your pretty much SOL
 
You hook the resistor in series with charger lead to battery. Problem is to find the correct size resistor. Normally resistors are rated in ohms and some one else would have to convert to watts, not me. Seems to me watts would depend on voltage and not valid terminology for your purpose.
 
The issue with that is the resistor will vary the voltage based on the current flowing through it.

Not a good way to do this.

If you limit current to 2 amps, an 2 ohm resistor will drop 4 volts.

Maybe a ballast resistor.
 
Many factors come into play trying to use a resister to bring 12 volts down to around 9 volts. How many amp the charger is working at. The more amps means the larger watt range of the resister etc.
 

Leave the 8V battery for golf carts .
As previously stated , a 6V system in good order is entirely acceptable . Unless the engine has been updated with high compression pistons or an large overbore kit.
 
putting a 12 volt head lamp in the circuit can reduce the voltage and not be harmed. it will take a while to charge thpugh. A 10 watt resistor will just be a puff of smoke. Jim
 
you dont need an 8 volt battery! if 6 volts dont start a tractor u have other problems. thats my story and sticking to it. the 6 volt tractors started good when new, and still do if kept up.
 
Your statement gave me a good smile.

I do not dispute it, I just change mine for convenience.
 
I change to 12 volts due to cost. To maintain a 6 volt system cost more then it does to maintain a 12 volt system and is a whole lot simpler to boot
 
I would not necessarily replace a functioning 6V, but would put any money spent on one for a 12V conversion.
 
Will this work. 2 different sources.

https://www.batterystuff.com/battery-chargers/8-volt/
8V or 12 V 1.5 amp charger.


https://www.amazon.com/Suuwer-Automatic-Maintainer-Motorcycle-Batteries/dp/B07WXPLBK4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=8+volt+battery+charger&qid=1599268767&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyS0JYVkhWVFM5RkZRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjI2NTA5NUZLQjFYQVYwVUdaJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3MTI1NjVUOUtYUUlLTkNTWEsmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
 
I have never had one single 6 volt system work when I got the tractor so it makes sense to go to 12volts instead of trying to make the 6 volt system work
 
BTDT! 40 years ago I had an 8 volt battery in my '51 8N and a charger that could select 6V, 8V or 12V charging. I loaned out the charger and it came back non-functioning. I could not find another one that had 8 volt capability.
Rather than convert to 12 volt I fixed what was wrong and stayed with 6 volt. I'll NEVER try 8 volt again and I refuse to ever convert to 12 volt.
As has been said, if everything is right, 6 volt will start...period. I have had more that 30 Ford tractors. Only on was 12 volt as purchased and it still is. If I ever have to work on it, I will go back to 6 volt.
My opinion and I'm sticking to it.
 
6 volt generator vs alternator... replace bushings and brushes in generator, replace brushes in alternator. and sometime the diode trio. i dont see any major difference in the two other than with a 6 volt u have a regulator and they last pretty good also. its just that the slow cranking 6 volts get many people pizzed off . this 806 has alternator with a separate regulator. was not charging then charging too much like 16.5 volts. so took cover off reg and surprise! its a printed circiut regulator. so go figure. nothing u can do. i disconnect the alt plug so it dont charge till i need to top off battery.
 
99% of the time the reason 6v will not start a tractor people use battery cables the are to small they go to walmart and put them cheep ones on you need big cables for 6v
 
Ah but count the wires needed on a 6 volt system and how many on a 12 vol system. 6 volt has 2 maybe 3 times as many wires so more likely to cause a problem and it your not us to working on 6 volt but know the 12 volt it just flat out is easier and cheaper. To replace a generator it costs more then it does to buy a Delco 10si and when I buy a 10si it has a life time warranty
 
I totally agree with you on 6 volt, I have no problems with mine and have changed a couple back to 6 volt. I use 2/0 welding cable for battery cables and they work great.
 
(quoted from post at 21:44:06 09/04/20)
(quoted from post at 20:05:13 09/04/20) What is ballast resistor, 100 Watt?
Click to expand...
0 to 20W would be closer than 100W
Click to expand...
Q8lUQRC.jpg
 
That is probably right on the wattage, the duty cycle will be mostly off on ballast resistor, so effective watts is much less.
 
(quoted from post at 22:07:57 09/04/20) That is probably right on the wattage, the duty cycle will be mostly off on ballast resistor, so effective watts is much less.
Click to expand...
f course we are talking battery charging, but...yes in ign, cumulative of exponential current rise & duty cycle(dwell), the resulting average of a 4 amp(s.s.) coil is about 1/3 or 1.3 amps and maybe 8 Watts each if voltage split 50/50 with 6v coil/resistor operating on 12-14 volts.
 
I guess I should know better than to ask a question...I just wanted to know if they make an "8 V battery charger"...I have my reasons for using an 8V battery....thats all. Thanks
 
Has the regulator on the tractor been adjusted up to 9-9.5 volts?

If not, the battery is operating at 6 volts anyway.

If it has been adjusted up, just charge it to 6 volts, let the tractor generator bring it up to full charge.
 
(quoted from post at 17:53:53 09/04/20) Please tell me how to charge my tractor 8V battery...I have tried to find an 8V charger but no luck. I read some one said to
put an "inline 10watt resistor" in a 12V charger...how in the heck you do that boys? Thanks!
Click to expand...
ou did nail that one! 10Watt resistors are available from fractional Ohms into millions of Ohms, so 10W recommendation is TOTALLY meaningless!
 
there is no need to buy either one if you service them as required. and wires are wires in harnesses. 12 volt is just the improved version of the 6 volt and alternators are always changing with time and now cant even overhaul one. there is no part you can fix by youself anymore. all it is is read the computer and replace the part. when i was in mechanic's class we were showed how to adjust regulators. another art gone to the grave. now no one even knows what a carburator is or how to clean it and put a kit in. its all a personal preference . i hardly think Jay Leno would spoil and devalue on of his duesenbergs with an alternator. is not just slop in a 12 volt battery and alternator. you got a wiring job to do , lights, change electrical components to be compatible and i have hardly ever saw a conversion job i would say good job. just each to his own.
 
Well being a person who years gone by fix TV sets that I got for free since the TV shops did not want to fix them I learned years ago about wiring etc. I have NEVER taken so much as one minute of a class to learn how or rebuild an engine or other such but have rebuilt many of them. When I was in the Navy I was an E.T. and repaired computers and learned how to solder micro chips with 30 plus legs etc. I also as I got older learned to hate working on electronics even though when I was young I loved it.
 
no, i have not seen one. set the charger on 12 volts with 2 amps and try that. get a cheap battery load tester for about 60.00 and you can keep a check on the battery. no other way to know when its charged. and only do it if u must or in a bind. check every 15 minutes. nothing is written in stone for lots of things. but your at your own risk.
 
i apprenticed right out of school for four years for auto motive mechanic,from 75-79, and have a red seal licence which means i can do the job anyplace in the world. and have worked in a GM Garage. i sure hate bragging about myself but thats the way it is ,... you need a ticket to work on customers vehicles. same as any other trade. i also was re-ringing engines when i was 15 and 16 years old. at about 12 years old i was tearing those old iron horse engines apart to see what makes them tick and get them running. and the same with those ihc LB engines. now are you bragging about yourself that you have no trade? i can weld also but i cant go welding, i can do plumbing, but i can be a plumber. i can do electrical wiring, but i cant be an electrician. i also can change and balance tires or i used to then. did lots of front end work and wheel alignments. did engines , transmission and diff overhauls on them old 427 chevy gravel trucks with the 5 and 4 trans. install those target master long block 350 engines in 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. start at 8:00 and it was driven out of shop at the end of the day. i used to grind valves also in the GM garage. and sometimes i have to fix a broken heart . enough bragging.
but there is more.. after that i worked on oil rigs drilling for 7 years. then supervised top drive department on rigs for lots of years. then after that been working in there shop as mechanic tearing down those drives and getting them recertified and put together for another 1000 days of drilling. now i am off work due to this nnalert stuff. there now more bragging about my life, not that i like to.
 
(quoted from post at 02:08:12 09/05/20) i apprenticed right out of school for four years for auto motive mechanic,from 75-79, and have a red seal licence which means i can do the job anyplace in the world. and have worked in a GM Garage. i sure hate bragging about myself but thats the way it is ,... you need a ticket to work on customers vehicles. same as any other trade. i also was re-ringing engines when i was 15 and 16 years old. at about 12 years old i was tearing those old iron horse engines apart to see what makes them tick and get them running. and the same with those ihc LB engines. now are you bragging about yourself that you have no trade? i can weld also but i cant go welding, i can do plumbing, but i can be a plumber. i can do electrical wiring, but i cant be an electrician. i also can change and balance tires or i used to then. did lots of front end work and wheel alignments. did engines , transmission and diff overhauls on them old 427 chevy gravel trucks with the 5 and 4 trans. install those target master long block 350 engines in 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. start at 8:00 and it was driven out of shop at the end of the day. i used to grind valves also in the GM garage. and sometimes i have to fix a broken heart . enough bragging.
but there is more.. after that i worked on oil rigs drilling for 7 years. then supervised top drive department on rigs for lots of years. then after that been working in there shop as mechanic tearing down those drives and getting them recertified and put together for another 1000 days of drilling. now i am off work due to this nnalert stuff. there now more bragging about my life, not that i like to.
Click to expand...
ou might as well stop that braggin, as Old will never let you top him in all his worldly experiences! :(
 
Sure starting to look like barney may need to start an engineering division he’ll soon have all of mayberry under him what with ytdot, ytosha and now this
 
Some great reasons here to make me glad I switched all my 6 volt tractors over to 12V one wire alternators.In theory 6V is great--IF-IF-IF struggled with that inferior junk for years on tractors growing up.Bottom line is if 6V was so great 12V would have never have come along and been the standard for just about anything with electric start.
 
(quoted from post at 18:51:57 09/04/20) The issue with that is the resistor will vary the voltage based on the current flowing through it.

Not a good way to do this.

If you limit current to 2 amps, an 2 ohm resistor will drop 4 volts.

Maybe a ballast resistor.
Click to expand...

A ballast resistor is still just a resistor . A charger with a max voltage of 9.2 volts is required with a flooded cell lead acid 8 volt Battery.
Not that anybody besides a golf cart operator needs an 8 volt battery .
 
(quoted from post at 21:38:07 09/04/20) 6 volt generator vs alternator... replace bushings and brushes in generator, replace brushes in alternator. and sometime the diode trio. i dont see any major difference in the two other than with a 6 volt u have a regulator and they last pretty good also. its just that the slow cranking 6 volts get many people pizzed off . this 806 has alternator with a separate regulator. was not charging then charging too much like 16.5 volts. so took cover off reg and surprise! its a printed circiut regulator. so go figure. nothing u can do. i disconnect the alt plug so it dont charge till i need to top off battery.
Click to expand...

Cranking speed on a spark ignition engine means little . What is required is full system Rated voltage across the coil to ensure spark .
 
(quoted from post at 23:00:26 09/04/20) I guess I should know better than to ask a question...I just wanted to know if they make an "8 V battery charger"...I have my reasons for using an 8V battery....thats all. Thanks
Click to expand...

Ok , Ill admit to being curious .
 

12 volt was introduced as the power requirements Increased to crank over larger engines .
That is why there are 24V and 48V engine starters .
Also why there are 480 and 600V electric motors instead of 120/208V electric motors in high HP applications .
 
Yea there are 24V and 48V starting systems some not needed like the JD 4020 everyone wants to switch back to 12V.I'd bet about 99% of the motors today that are sold in all applications are 12V.Name any vehicles,tractors etc sold today with 6V electrical systems? 6V is an out dated dinosaur.
 
Hello Banjoman

WOW lots of responses (some NOT a specific answer to your question) but that's typical for any electrical question, happens every time.

Lets look at your question:

Please tell me how to charge my tractor 8V battery...

If you cant find an 8 volt charger:

1) Use a "low capacity" smaller 12 volt charger ON "LOW CURRENT" SETTING for a "LIMITED TIME" keeping a close eye on water levels and avoid excess out gassing and boiling over........DO NOT turn it on and walk away a long time CLOSELY MONITOR the charging

DISCLAIMER so no one has a calf lol Im NOT saying this is proper or engineering correct or perfect safe, Im ONLY SAYING its one answer to your question (right or wrong) and I as a used tractor dealer having to deal with the situation over the years DID IT SUCCESSFULLY

2) Use a good working 6 volt generator BUT WITH A VOLTAGE REGULATOR PROPERLY ADJUSTED so it can charge your 8 volt battery.

NOTE this likely WILL NOT provide any high charge rate but if done right with the right regulation scheme it could possibly (if done correctly mind you) keep up


I read some one said to put an "inline 10watt resistor" in a 12V charger...how in the heck you do that boys?

While in theory and subject to a ton of factors and variables it may be possible to use a high power inline voltage dropping resistor in the charge circuit between the genny and battery so it drops the correct voltage and leaves in the range of say at least 9 to 11 or so volts to charge an 8 volt battery

THATS NOT A GOOD OR REAL SOUND ENGINEERING IDEA

If one were charging at 20 amps and the resistor was dropping 3 volts THAT WOULD REQUIIRE A 60 WATT POWER RESISTOR and a 10 watt would go up in smoke

As battery voltage rises the charge level if well regulated would back off


NOTICE I tried to answer your direct question, you DID NOT ask about using 6 volts or converting to 12 so I didnt answer a question you didnt ask......

John T
 
Hey John, come on over to my house some day and show me what's wrong with my Funk. It sure is hard starting on 6 volt. Your only 45 minutes away and I'll buy lunch.
cvphoto55070.jpg
 
Well said, John.

Your advise regarding using an old low/modest power 12V charger WITH CLOSE ATTENTION will work. Probably will not work with newer, microprocessor controlled chargers due to algorithym design. Even without close attention, it will work but the electrolyte will boil away shortening the remaining life of the battery. In decades past when no 6V charger was available to me, I charged old, end of live 6V batteries for my 47 Pontiac with a 12V charger.

FWIW: Adjusting a vibrating contact voltage regulator is largely a lost art. It has been years since I did so but expect that I could once again do so with a bit of expermentation. Finding a commercial shop who would even attempt such will be just about impossible (Hobo excepting).

Dean
 
Shoot if I where to put down on here every job I ever did it would take me all day to do so. I have over 1.9 million miles on my driving record due to a number of things. In 1974 I got a brand new dodge van and the warranty expired in less then 30 days due to me putting 13,000 on it in that time period. Been driving since I was 14 legally. And I could go on but I will not do so
 
Yo Dean you say "Adjusting a vibrating contact voltage regulator is largely a lost art"

AMEN BROTHER There was one old genny repair shop near here with an old wise codger who could do it but he's dead now. I doubt you could find anyone to do it now.

John T
 
hummm, where u that way in school also trying to out do everyone else, u must have been top guy in the class also. oops, maybe u didnt go to school if you were driving around with a brand new dodge.
 
K.I.S.S Yes, simple, adjust the HI/LO screw on rear of housing for whatever voltage or charge current you want. Meters needed. No need to know Ohms from Shinola! No load will reach 18v, but don't run it there!
W1pibeY.jpg

8tzNvjU.jpg
 
I ordered the Dodge van in Dec of 1973 and got it on my Birthday in Jan of 74. At the time I was delivering 1500 newspapers every morning from 1am to 6am. I then went back home took a nap got up and went to high school. Then after school I delivered another 60 newspapers. I on paper didn't do real well in school but when I took the test to join the Navy I was offered any thing they had including OCS and I did not want more school so I took the job of an E.T. I fixed computer on a sub. The computers told fire control computers where we where so they could send off the nukes to destroy the world. I first real paying job where I paid taxes and S.S. I had a the age of 12 as a pressman's helper at a newspaper company and also delivered newspapers after that job. I have carried what is now a CDL since I was 16 years old and still have that CDL and only thing I cannot drive is Haz-mat and school bus
 

The resistor does not prevent placing an excessively high volt across the charged battery.
What part of this do your resistor lovers dont
Understand ?
 
I guess the org. Poster is not open to the idea of replacing his dead 8V battery with a 12V and installing a ballast resistor in the wire to his distributor to protect his points & condenser. Then his 12V charger would work fine.
It's like the guy is asking what time it is and everybody is discussing what type of atomic clock is the best and most accurate.
You guys ALL gotta realize that 6V electrical systems are obsolete. And YES, I bet Jay Leno has a 12V alternator in his Duesenburg, because he knows if it was still 6 volt it wouldn't have enough power to start even a hot engine let alone a cold one if he ever shut it off away from his shop.
None of the new technology is being put in 6V batteries, and how long do you have to look for a 8V battery? There was talk of the auto industry was going to go to higher voltage 10-15 years ago but they improved the 12V and downsized them and are still using them. Just like by the year 2010 or so we were supposed to have flying cars, and NOT those things from back in the 1950's & '60's. BUT more like The JETSON'S.
As I've said here a dozen times, Dad's brand new 1951 M did NOT start the day after it was delivered from the dealer, yes, it was below zero, like Teens or 20 below zero. Tractor came off the line at FARMALL Dec. 7th, delivered Dec. 23rd, so much for "They start fine on 6V if things are right." And NOW that it has the added resistance of Char-Lynn power steering pump, and M&W live hyd pump, and M&W 4" Add Power sleeves & pistons, what chance does a 6V system have of ever starting it? But it starts great with the 1000CCA Die Hard 12V battery and Delco 10SI alternator charging it. Still has the 6V starter too.
I'm actually surprised anyone would admit they switched a 6V tractor that was converted to 12V alternator BACK to 6V generator and mechanical voltage regulator after they bought it. Did you put steel wheels with lugs on it too? Guess you guys have "STATIC DISPLAYS" AS IN DON'T RUN!
 
Doc ..... yer pretty grumpy today, tell us what happened in the last 24 hours. Whoever bought Jay's Deusy brand new back in the day was probably disappointed that his brand new car wouldn't start when it got hot (I'm sure it did). Obviously, you don't own any stock in a 6V battery manufacturing company ..... LOL !!!
 
Can you take the 8 volt battery it to a professional garage and have them charge it up for you? That will tell you if the problem is the battery or your charging system.

Do you know why was an 8 volt battery installed in the first place? If your tractor's charging system isn't working or needs to be adjusted higher to charge 8 volts, you are going to spend some money on it anyway. Look for an old time shop, as newer shops won't know much about 64 plus year old 6 volt systems, much less an 8 volt quick fix setup.

I agree with the others, if you need to replace the 8 volt battery, either go back to the original 6 volts or upgrade to a 12 volt negative ground system.
 
With a manual charger (transformer & rectifier) plus a Variac, you or I can charge any voltage battery that we want. I have & do regularly. I have also used the electric motor generator many times, but not as many as my late father.
 
(quoted from post at 20:23:38 09/05/20) Well said, John.

Your advise regarding using an old low/modest power 12V charger WITH CLOSE ATTENTION will work. Probably will not work with newer, microprocessor controlled chargers due to algorithym design. Even without close attention, it will work but the electrolyte will boil away shortening the remaining life of the battery. In decades past when no 6V charger was available to me, I charged old, end of live 6V batteries for my 47 Pontiac with a 12V charger.

FWIW: Adjusting a vibrating contact voltage regulator is largely a lost art. It has been years since I did so but expect that I could once again do so with a bit of expermentation. Finding a commercial shop who would even attempt such will be just about impossible (Hobo excepting).

Dean
Click to expand...

I would have to ask my YT buds for guidance... : ) I have worked on a few generators mostly Fords and Harley's... I am just a regular guy that was able to hold the same job for 46 years and counting so no living on the wild side... : ( I have been lucky enoufh to repair vehicles for news paper drivers, electrical engineers, Naval folks, and those that worked mutable jobs that were not good at any of them... One job has supplied me a livable wage and nice shop and home : ) I was able to pay for 15 years of collage, keep my sick wife and mother at my home till the day they died...

Back to the generator/voltage regulator they were about extinct when I was cutting my teeth much of the old 6V systems were already converted to 12V of some type... I am interested in making money till there is big money in 6V I am a 6V novelist...
 
ha ha, funny! think i will not use this duessy anymore cause they wont start once we get to town,.. hey go hook up the horses! so does he have an alternator on his steam car also?
 
aint that true! that guy must be as old as the mountains and NOBODY will top him!! lot of B.S. get flying around then he forgets what he has
even posted as i pointed out to him on his tractor problem.
 
(quoted from post at 10:20:23 09/06/20)
I don't see a three prong plug with a ground on that rig .
Click to expand...
et out o the kitchen if you can't stand the tingle....or something like that. :)
 
(quoted from post at 10:34:17 09/06/20)
(quoted from post at 10:20:23 09/06/20)
I don't see a three prong plug with a ground on that rig .
Click to expand...
et out o the kitchen if you can't stand the tingle....or something like that. :)
Click to expand...

Problem is that too many people have been found dead
after getting a tingle .
 
(quoted from post at 11:50:41 09/06/20)
(quoted from post at 10:34:17 09/06/20)
(quoted from post at 10:20:23 09/06/20)
I don't see a three prong plug with a ground on that rig .
Click to expand...
et out o the kitchen if you can't stand the tingle....or something like that. :)
Click to expand...

Problem is that too many people have been found dead
after getting a tingle .
Click to expand...
o true! And I'm thankful for my luck. We all try to be careful, but mistakes are made
 
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