Ford 600

Tom Devitt · Dec 20, 2009

I have switched my battery from a 6v to an 8v to achieve better starting and I'm happy with the result. The question I have is why the amp meter is showing discharge now? Nothing else was changed. Can anyone give me an idea of what to check?

Thanks
Tom

john in la · Dec 20, 2009

If the only thing you changed is the battery; how do you expect a 6 volt charging system to fully charge a 8 volt battery.

So if the charging system is only putting out enough power to keep up with a 6v battery and your 8v battery is fully charged your amp meter will show discharge because the 8v battery is really discharging.

Ultradog MN · Dec 20, 2009

8 volt battery is usually a ban aid fix to cover other electrical problems. And a 6 volt generator won't charge an 8 V battery very well unless you also tweak the voltage regulator which is becomming a lost art.
You shoulda came here first and asked about your charging system. But Nooo. You came here after you already done spent the money for a new battery. So now you're in the same boat as the rest of us who should have quit while we were ahead. I would learn how to tweak the VR. Someone here can surely teach you.
I would also go through the wiring harness - all of it - remove one connector at a time and take a 1/2" plumber's fitting brush to clean and brighten both ends before reconnecting. Also remove the starter and wire brush between the starter and where it grounds to the block.
If I had caught you earlier before you bought the battery I would have advised you convert it to 12 volts. 12V is more forgiving of less than perfect connections and grounds and an alternator is more trouble free than a generator.
Good luck.
And welcome to the board.

forddoc · Dec 20, 2009

eventually you will have a poor performing battery at only 75%, for your eight will merely have the six you started with but with a much lower amp. a little more investigation into the electrical would have been better and sticking with a good 6volt

old · Dec 20, 2009

Well think about it. You have a charging system, made to charge a 6 volt battery and now you want it to charge an 8 volt battery. Guess what it is not going to happen at best you might get an 8 volt battery charged at 7 or or 7.5 volts. That is why most go either with a true 6 volt system or a true 12 volt system and stop messing around with a half a$$ 8 volt screwed up always trouble system. Or in other words an 8 volt battery is a band aid fix for other problems and you either need to fix those problems or go to a 12 volt system and stop having problems

Mike (WA) · Dec 21, 2009

If you don't already have one, get a Motor's Auto Repair Manual from the '50's (Ebay, Craig's List, used book store). They have whole sections on troubleshooting and servicing the various systems of cars of the day, which were very much like your 600. Find out which screw in your particular voltage regulator adjusts the voltage, adjust it to 8 volts (using your trusty volt-ohm meter), and you've got it coming your way!

Ford 600

Tom Devitt

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john in la

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Ultradog MN

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forddoc

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old

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Mike (WA)

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