8 volt battery C-1

[Ted K.]

Thinking about replacing my 6 volt battery with an 8 volt battery to get a little more engine spin at start up. Has any one done this? Are there any modifications needed or can one just drop in the new battery and go?
Thanks,

[Jack H.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

Without changing the charging system to match, you'll only get the benefits of the higher 8 VDC battery the first time you install it after having been on a charger.

The system is designed to track and top off a 6 VDC battery, so by just swapping batteries you'll be maintaining the 8V unit at a 6V level (below full charge) as you drive...

Find a competent auto electric shop in your neck of the woods with good ole boys who remember how to 'tweak' the 6V charging components to deliver solid 8V operation.

[Ted K.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

I thought that a healthy battery would restore itself to its original voltage, on its own, providing it wasn't fully discharged.

[Jim L.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

Thinking about replacing my 6 volt battery with an 8 volt battery to get a little more engine spin at start up.

I have a '54 and the starter (which has never been rebuilt) spins the engine just fine when powered by a 6V battery.

Before you re-engineer what was a perfectly good system when new, be sure all the system components are in good condition. My bet is that if they are, you won't feel the need to drop in an 8V battery.

Jim

[Roy B.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

I ran the 8V battery in my 54 for many years doing nothing els and it worked fine.

[Troy P.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

You need a heavier positive cable to get all the juice from your 6V battery to the starter. You probably have a 4 AWG cable. I have a 1 AWG cable and it spins great. There is a very good 1 AWG repo for sale now on ebay as a 53, 54 part.

[Joe R.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

Ted, I concur with the others that a good battery (I use the Optima 6V) along with the heavy cables and the 4 pole starter should all together crank the old flamer just fine. Ignition timing can effect the cranking a little, so check that.

Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

The guys with early 1932-1936 (IIRC) Cadillac V16s turn them over with 6-volts. The key, as with 1953-54 Corvette, is properly functioning starter and solenoid, clean connections, and proper size conductors.

[Ted K.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

I checked on E-bay for that 14" 1 awg battery cable, the buy it now is only $160. I considered buying an extra for a spare NOT.
I am not sure the gauge of the the wire on the positive terminal. It is marked Delco Packard 1L-16 and it has a squeeze type terminal clamp vs the bolt on type. What about the gauge of the ground cable.
Has anyone used 1 gauge copper stranded DC welding cable and made up their own battery cables?

[Jim L.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

If having the word Delco on a battery cable makes anyone's car crank more rapidly, then by all means jump on that $160 battery cable before it slips away.

However, if the word Belden would work just as well, go to your NAPA store and spend $18 for part number 711431. This will also get you a 1 gage, 14" cable.

Jim

[Ted K.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

Thanks Jim, $18 is more my speed.
Any one on the ground cable? Does it have to be a specific gauge also?

[Jim L.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

Thanks Jim, $18 is more my speed.

Mine, too. To preserve the original positive battery cable on m '54, I substituted a NAPA/Belden cable. The starter, so far, hasn't noticed the word "Belden" on the insulation. Shhhhh....... let's don't tell it

Any one on the ground cable? Does it have to be a specific gauge also?

Although you can reach a point of diminishing returns when going to heavier gage battery cables, in general, bigger is always better. Tell me the length of the ground cable and I'll get you a NAPA number for a suitable replacement.

I'm not a NAPA shill, BTW. I've just got a real good local store and they give me their out of date catalogs.

Jim

[Duke W.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

I thought that a healthy battery would restore itself to its original voltage, on its own, providing it wasn't fully discharged.

The voltage of a lead-acid battery cell at room temperature is about 2.1 volts, so a fully charged 6V battery is actually 6.3V, 12.6V for a "12-volt", and 8.4V for an 8-volt.

In order to fully charge a battery, the charging system must generate a bit more than nominal battery voltage. That's why 12V charging systems should measure 13.5-14.5 volts with the engine running.

I don't know what the typical voltage setting is for 6V systems, but its probably no more than 7.5 volts, so a 8V battery could never be charged fully.

You might be able to adjust the regulator up to 8.5V, but then you will be overloading everything else with excess voltage, which could cause problems.

As long as you have a good battery and the charging system is operating properly and you don't attempt to start the engine in very cold weather, I would not make an amateur attempt to "re-engineer" the electrical system.

The first thing you should do is check system voltage against whatever the spec is. It could be all that's needed is a regulator adjustment, and the various checks of connections, cables, etc. recommended by others is a good idea on any 50 plus year old car.

Duke

[Ted K.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

Jim,
The ground cable is 20". Thanks for your help with the numbers.
Ted

[Jim L.]

Re: 8 volt battery C-1

The ground cable is 20".

Ted,

I don't see a perfect substitute. Here are three choices:

1. NAPA 711931, a 19.5" insulated 1 Gage cable. This will look like the positive cable, just a little longer.

2. NAPA 711622, a 16.5", braided, 2 Gage cable. Shorter than you need and one wire gage smaller, but it's the proper style.

3. NAPA 712422, a 24.5", braided 2 Gage cable. Longer than you need and and one wire gage smaller, proper style.

Like I said, no perfect replacement. If a shorter cable would work, option #2 would be a good choice. If the 20" cable is absolutely necessary, I'd go with option 1.

Thanks for your help with the numbers.
Ted

You are very welcome. I'm glad to help.

Jim