Battery Question 6 or 8 volt ?

[frank]

I have a 1948 Plymouth Business Coupe with a 3.8L 230cid L6 95hp. It's been running on a 6volt, but with the 6volt it’s very difficult to start it barley turns over. Can I replace the 6volt battery with an 8volt, without damaging anything? I need more cranking power.

Frank, Delaware

 

[khryslerkid]

Yes you can.

We use to do this on a lot of farm tractors too.

After you do, get a voltage meter and check your voltage at the battery when running. You might have to adjust your voltage regulator. You want to have between 8 to 10 volts. You just remove the cover from your regulator and adjust the screw until you get the required reading at your battery.

 

[barnfind]

Did you happen to check your battery cables? There well know to cause problems on a 6volt system like your describing. Theres nothing wrong with a 6v but theyve got to be maintained well.
Are they the correct gauge wire? These are thicker than 12v systems, 00 or 0000
http://brillman.com/store/
or tractor supply should have these

 

[bm02tj]

save your battery and set regulator to 7 to 7.5 volts so you do not boil battery and need to at water all the time
up grade battery cables it will help alot as amperage's are more than double a 12V system

 

[Moparsmitty]

Did you happen to check your battery cables? There well know to cause problems on a 6volt system like your describing. Theres nothing wrong with a 6v but theyve got to be maintained well.
Are they the correct gauge wire? These are thicker than 12v systems, 00 or 0000
http://brillman.com/store/
or tractor supply should have these

I'm guessing that's what is happening here. I've seen a lot of old 6V cars brought into the shop because they were hard to start and when you open the hood they have regular 12V battery cables on 'em. Ya gotta use the big thick cables for 6V and they need to be really clean, tight. and no corrosion.

 

[frank]

--First, thank you so much for getting back to me again B Body is no doubt the place to access for information.
--I will check the voltage at the battery while it’s running and make sure it’s between 8 and 10. If it isn’t I’ll adjust at the regulator.
--Next I’ll check the battery cables to make sure there the correct gauge.

--I’ll check for cleanliness in the cable connections

Thanks again everyone.

 

[khryslerkid]

Your voltage at the battery while the engine is running, on a 6 volt battery, should be 7 to 7.2 volts.

 

[barnfind]

I'm guessing that's what is happening here. I've seen a lot of old 6V cars brought into the shop because they were hard to start and when you open the hood they have regular 12V battery cables on 'em. Ya gotta use the big thick cables for 6V and they need to be really clean, tight. and no corrosion.

I agree, corrosion can get in under the insulation creating resistance, and produce a problem like this. They can look good visually and still cause a problem. The 6v is very touchy to this, clean and tight are the key here, 4/0 is the preferred of the 2 gauges.