6V or 8V battery ?

1939farmall · Aug 30, 2021

Do you use 8 volt batteries in your 6 volt system? Im of the opinion that if your 6 volt system is in good shape and you have clean connections and the right cables then a 6 volt battery should be fine. After all thats what the system was designed for. But Ive heard plenty of people over the years say they put 8 volt batteries in their 6 volt system for the extra cranking power. Have you done this? Does it help? Does it damage your voltage regulator? Thanks In advance for your reply.

lpgasonly · Aug 30, 2021

It will spin the starter a little faster. It will also burn out any light bulbs that you might have working. Regulator will need to be set higher to charge provided your generator can handle the boost in voltage.

diesel fumes · Aug 30, 2021

have used 8v with electronic ignition in jd 440 for about 25 years; trouble free ; still same spark plugs; you need to set up voltage regulator for proper chargeing.

diesel fumes · Aug 30, 2021

original lights do still work!

Tony in SD · Aug 30, 2021

Im in your camp, designed with 6 should work with 6. As others have said. It will spin your motor faster but will also burn your lights out faster. Besides 6 volt and 12 volt batteries are way more common to buy an you can find them anywhere. 8 volt you have to search a little harder.

Steve@Advance · Aug 30, 2021

Never done it, but seen it done.

Unless the regulator is adjusted up, all it accomplishes is a partially discharged 8v doing the same thing as a fully charged 6v.

I would discourage it. If you can find an 8v battery, good chance it will have been on the shelf for many years, and you will pay dearly for it!

MARK ROBKE · Aug 30, 2021

I use a 6v in my 300u-have never considered an 8v. I can usually get 8-10yrs on the 6v battery. This tractor was always slow cranking in the winter, especially back when I was a kid, but it ALWAYS started. But the last battery I put in 2(?) yrs ago seems to crank a lot faster, no other changes; it's a Deka, but so were the last couple. Mark.

Janicholson · Aug 30, 2021

Keep it 6 and use fat cables and a good starter motor, or make it 12 and use an alternator, new bulbs and resistor, etc.
* can work but not with lights, and not with Voltage regulator mods that are tricky. Jim

560Dennis · Aug 30, 2021

If you have to use an 8 volt on a design a 6 volt system you have other issues to correct .

old · Aug 30, 2021

Band aid fix to a problem that needs to be fixed at best. Plus have you even seen an 8 volt battery charger?? So hard to charge it up when you need to do so. Fix it or go to 12 volts and save your self time and $$ and grief

guido · Aug 30, 2021

1939fatmall,

Battery voltage = voltage regulator voltage.
If you are having slow cranking issues now, you need to check the system before winter.

Like you said the system WILL work if properly maintained. A second battery in parallel will usually get you going, untill you can get to the problem,

AND you will still have 6 volts,

Guido.

tractornate · Aug 30, 2021

I have a car, a truck, and 2 tractors that are 6 volt systems and have 6 volt batteries. The 1949 Ford F1 truck, which I drive the most, barely cranks before it's running. I have never felt a need for an 8 volt battery,or for a 12 volt conversion, in any of these engines.

ramblineagle · Aug 30, 2021

OLD, my brother has 8 volt battery charger, not sure what the brand name is.

old · Aug 30, 2021

Ah but how old is it and does it still work?? Pretty much a thing of the long past as in 50 plus years old if not older

Louis A · Aug 31, 2021

You can still buy brand new 8 Volt battery chargers!

6V or 8V battery ?

1939farmall

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lpgasonly

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diesel fumes

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diesel fumes

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Tony in SD

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Steve@Advance

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MARK ROBKE

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Janicholson

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old

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old

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