8 volt batteries

Rather than hijack the thread about 8 volt chargers, I thought I would ask my question in a new thread: Why?

A little internet research tells me that an 8 volt battery is 2-3 times as much as a 12 volt, and a charger is at least a couple hundred bucks. I can switch over an old car or tractor with a new 12 volt battery and a rebuilt alternator from the auto parts store for under $100.

I know a lot of people stick with original 6 volt when they want to keep something original, and I get that. Especially if it's for show.

But my curiosity forces me to ask this question.

Oh, and Happy New Year to all.

As people modify equipment and put automotive parts where tractor parts should be (like battery cables), and let things age, what their grand dad and
they do is bandaid the issue with a very effective appearing solution, 8 volts. The instant result is brighter lights and quick starts. all seems well
till the points go bad in 50 hours of operation, the coil starts to deteriorate, the lights burn out, Instruments show wrong values, their charger no
longer finds a battery when hooked up, and the battery doesn't fully charge while the tractor is running. And as you point out they cost more. Find
me compatible 8 volt generators, alternators, light bulbs and gauges. Starter motors are basically a short circuit at tenths of an ohm, and spin faster
on 8 (or 12) but don't really care much, especially if they only have to "grind" for a second or two compared to cranking for 20 seconds on lower
voltage. Jim

The chevy truck,, 1947 I think it is had one in it when I bought it, the guy who owned it was second owner, and had owned it since the mid 50's said the original owner who hauled cows for people among other things had installed a 8 volt the first winter when it was new as it had a hard time starting in the cold,, they did adjust the regulator up a bit I was told then,, there was not change made to the ign system though,, I have never even adjusted the points in it, in the 40 plus years now I have owned it,, still ran like a top last time I ran it,, for sure they are higher priced but when you get 20 years or so on a battery they get a lot cheaper if you figure it that way,, they still sell them today so someone still thinks its a good idea,, seems like I only get 3-5 years out of 6 volts made today,, glad I only have a few tractors that still use them,, rest I have converted to 12 volt, the ones I have not I wont due to having to cut tin work to make a alt fit and they start and charge just fine,, I am a firm believer in using a battery maintainer though,, and charge all of my units at least once a year before winter hits, I get 3 to 15 years out of a battery and or sets of them in my fleet,, I keep about 35 units at the ready all the time so anything i can do to extend battery life I do

I use golf cart 8v golf cart battery, there only 110 new at Sams club, 8v batteries are used in almost all 48v
golf carts, good used ones are easy to find. If you have a older roll around charger with 6v at atleast 25amp
output it will charge a 8v battery. If you don't believe it, take a meter and check a chargers output. Mine has 6
Lo and 6v Hi, 12v lo and 12v hi the 6v Hi setting also says [6v High/8v low].

I never understood the 8 volt initiative, my dad was converting to 12V alternators in the 70.s

Why fart around with something.

(quoted from post at 17:48:18 01/01/20) I use golf cart 8v golf cart battery, there only 110 new at Sams club, 8v batteries are used in almost all 48v
golf carts, good used ones are easy to find. If you have a older roll around charger with 6v at atleast 25amp
output it will charge a 8v battery. If you don't believe it, take a meter and check a chargers output. Mine has 6
Lo and 6v Hi, 12v lo and 12v hi the 6v Hi setting also says [6v High/8v low].

Click to expand...

Interesting. Thanks.

When dealing with an automobile, an 8-volt battery might make sense. Since most of the accessories are 6-volt like the radio, instrument panel bulbs, gauges, and all of the exterior lights, most will run just fine on the higher voltage without burning out prematurely. Switching to 12 volts requires changing pretty much most of the 6 volt accessories.

An 8 volt battery makes starting much more reliable than sticking with 6 volts.

That just stinks!!!!!!!!!!

Jus my bit of advice. New battery cables can fix so many problems. At your
local welding supply joint they can make up your replacements and even put ends
on them. Makes a world of difference. I have put on here before about
junkyarding. Find an older Ford crown vick or Lincoln car that has the battery
in the trunk next to the spare. It is about 15 feet long and goes all of the
way to the engine compartment. You need to un bolt the seats. It is brite red
and is 2 Awg gauge. Huge cable. Same as welding cable. The core is around 1/2
inch across.

(quoted from post at 14:04:06 01/01/20) Jus my bit of advice. New battery cables can fix so many problems. At your
local welding supply joint they can make up your replacements and even put ends
on them. Makes a world of difference. I have put on here before about
junkyarding. Find an older Ford crown vick or Lincoln car that has the battery
in the trunk next to the spare. It is about 15 feet long and goes all of the
way to the engine compartment. You need to un bolt the seats. It is brite red
and is 2 Awg gauge. Huge cable. Same as welding cable. The core is around 1/2
inch across.
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto963.jpg">

Click to expand...

I agree. I have newer battery cables in my 6 Volt Ford 9N. I'll put it up against any 12V 9N as far as how quickly it starts. Most of the time it starts with less than one revolution of the starter.

I can only imagine how many old 6V tractors have been converted to 8V or 12V when all they needed was new battery cables and clean connections.