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Hey Big John - A few answers to your query: 8 VOLT BATTERYS, ETC: With a cutout-type system, the battery simply charges whenever the generator voltage exceeds 8 volts. This occurs whenever the engine RPM is high enough (typically about 1/2 governer). Downside is if the engine is run at mostly at low RPMs, the battery will never get charged. With a regulator-equipped system, unless the voltage relay is adjusted to begin regulation at about 9-1/2 volts, the battery will charge very slowly - or not at all - on a 6 volt system regardless of RPM. And if the engine is run only at low speeds, the battery will never be recharged even with the regulator reset for 8 volt operation. An 8 volt battery can be recharged with a 12 volt charger - simply wire a 3 amp (at 12 volt) electrical load in series with the charger and the battery. A headlamp works well for this. The lamp will act as a current-limiting ballast to the setup. The brightness of the lamp will also give a rough indication of the state of battery charge - the DIMMER the lamp burns the more fully charged is the battery. 6 volt lamps burned on 8 volts will burn brighter than on 6 volts. But lamp life will shortened, though not drastically. CUTOUTS vs REGULATORS: Cutouts came first - they are simple, cheap and relatively reliable. However charging control is left to the operator (i.e. is generally neglected) so overcharging and ruining the battery is alway possible. Regulators on the other hand provide better control and less chance of overcharging. But regulators cost more and are more complicated (more moving parts), hence can be less reliable. ALTERNATORS - A 12 volt negative ground alternator can be made to supply 6 volts negative ground simply by replacing the internal regulator. There's a few outfits (JC Whitney, others?) that sell these regulators - cost is under $10. However if you want 6 volt POSITIVE ground you must also replace the output diodes inside the alternator. Hope this helps...
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