Using a 8-volt battery

Tom in SW VA

Tom in SW VA

Well-known member
If you use a 8-volt battery, what electrical changes do you have to make? Do you have to make changes to the voltage regulator? Do you have make changes to the generator? What about the starter? I will appreciate any help. ❤️
 
I had an 8 volt in my 55 Willys jeep. Had to adjust the regulator to keep it charged. If it needed recharging outside the jeep a 6 volt charger didn't bring it up and a 12 volt was too much. It made the gauges read high (fuel and temp)...and it was expensive to boot.

I didn't like it. Went back to 6 volt.

With clean contacts and heavy cables the 6 volt works well for me...

Randy
 
If you do that, get a good supply of light bulbs.
The 6 volt bulbs will take 8 volts but the generator/regulator must put out over 9 volts to charge the battery. And that is just too much voltage for the bulb and bulb life will be reduced significantly.
 
It takes a higher generator output voltage to charge an 8V battery than it does a 6V battery. In my opinion, an 8V battery is not a wise substitution. Stay 6V or go 12V.
 
Tom, call me before you do this. There really is no real benefit to doing this if you first just repair the other items on the car that are contributing to a starting problem. This car definitely did not have this problem when it was new, --and therefore it shouldn't be an issue now.

Did you ever find a replacement carburetor? Making sure the starter is not dragging, -and that the cables are properly sized will allow the engine to spin right over, ...even when it is cold or has been sitting for awhile. If all the other electrical connections to the switch, coil, and points are clean & tight, it should start right up after 4-5 revolutions even when cold. Get the carburetor repaired where it will hold gas in the bowl, and make sure the electrical is fine, and there will be no need for an 8v battery IMHO.

.
 
I would not do it. We use to sell 8 volts years ago. They used them in the Farmall M tractors. They turned real slow after they had a power kit installed in the engine. They are more trouble than they worth.
 
I used to think that 8V batteries were the way to go. Now I don't want anything to do with them. I had one in one of my coupes and all it did was burn out bulbs. My advice? Leave them on the shelf or in the golf carts. About the connections, As has been said, make absolutely sure your cables are the right size. You probably can/'t buy the right diameter cables at your local auto parts store, Model A Vendors, My local starter and generator rebuilder has them, Heavy equipment dealers (Case, JD etc)Aircraft all have them.
Secondly, I would put a auxiliary Ground directly from the source to the eng/starter. I don't mean to remove the standard ground (Batt, to frame) Just a cable to bypass all those old dirty, rusty connections that may be slowing down the flow of current to the starter. I added one to my coupe and I was so happy with the results I added one to each of the other two cars.
Terry
 
Definitely stay away from the change to 8 volts. When I bought my 1950 Studebaker a few years ago, the seller had just installed a new $115 8 volt battery. As soon as I got the car home I removed the 8 volt battery and sold it and the 8 volt battery charger on Craigslist for $75.

I also have trouble with gas disappearing from the carb on my Stude. Today's gas evaporates way too quickly, and the engine heat makes it boil and flood the intake, causing starting problems after a 10 minute stop at the store. I have installed an electric fuel pump, and I'm also going to insulate the fuel line and make heat baffles to keep as much heat as possible away from the carb.

Back in the 60's and 70's my Studebakers never had a fuel problem, even for the 2 1/2 years I lived in El Paso with all that desert heat. Today's gas is different, so we need to make some changes if we keep driving cars with carburetors.
 
I have had the carb rebuilt. The starter does drag Don't know the cable size.
Somebody (hint), smarter than me, needs to look at it.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
Today's gas evaporates way too quickly, and the engine heat makes it boil and flood the intake, causing starting problems after a 10 minute stop at the store. I have installed an electric fuel pump, and I'm also going to insulate the fuel line and make heat baffles to keep as much heat as possible away from the carb.

Back in the 60's and 70's my Studebakers never had a fuel problem, even for the 2 1/2 years I lived in El Paso with all that desert heat. Today's gas is different, so we need to make some changes if we keep driving cars with carburetors.
Click to expand...

And that is why I put my electric pump on when I put a B carburetor on.

I've never tried and won't put a 8 volt battery in. Too many problems.
 
My car came with an 8 volt battery, delco generator :-( I was young, dumb, and strong always was push starting it :-)
Battery cables are sold at all the model A suppliers.
 
Tom in SW VA said:
I have had the carb rebuilt. The starter does drag Don't know the cable size.
Somebody (hint), smarter than me, needs to look at it.
Click to expand...

When the starter end plate bushing gets worn out, the armature will drag. Almost always, it's just the bushing by the starter drive.
 
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