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6 to 8 volt?
#1
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REverett
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Have a 41 Deluxe 110 (Woody) that is a little hard to start when hot. I am told an 8v battery may help however concerned with other issues like lights, etc.

Any thoughts on this change and what else may need to be addressed?

Rod

Posted on: 2012/1/3 11:32
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Re: 6 to 8 volt?
#2
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Owen_Dyneto
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6 to 8-volt conversions were the stock & trade of the sleezy highway used car joints. Far better you simply find the current problem and fix it. Usual culprits are undersize (like 12 volt) battery cables, poor grounds, advanced ignition timing, or sometimes the condition of the starter motor itself. Going to 8-volt solves none of these and just masks the root problem.

For your underseat battery, the length of run is pretty short, "0" gauge battery cables are appropriate though heavier wouldn't hurt.

Posted on: 2012/1/3 11:36
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Re: 6 to 8 volt?
#3
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REverett
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All very good points and after a closer look, the battery cable is a bit small and about 18" longer than necassary.

Thnx for the advice.

Posted on: 2012/1/3 12:02
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Re: 6 to 8 volt?
#4
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David Grubbs
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I had a 40 120 that had an 8 volt battery when I purchased it. It sure cranked fast, but all the bulbs burned out in rather short order. I switched back to the 6 volt battery and changed to a single 0 cable for the positive wire made a huge difference, plus cleaning up all of the old grease and crud under the ground strap where it attached to the block. The previous owner had installed a generic 12 volt cable that was just too small to handle the 6 volt amperage.

Posted on: 2012/1/5 10:56
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Re: 6 to 8 volt?
#5
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Peter Packard
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G'day all, I tried an 8 Volt battery in my 38 Six for five years but went back to 6V because: Firstly the OEM regulator was non temperature compensating so the initial voltage to keep the battery charged at 9.6 V, was up to 10.5 V. I kept blowing bulbs if I switched the lights on within around 1 minute of starting the veh.
Secondly, the 38 Six did not have lighting relays and the ammeter carries all of the lighting and charging amps. I upgraded the lights to 50/50 Watts each and the Ammeter was really starting to cook before the regulator heated up and stabilised the voltage.
I would not go back to 8V and have sorted out the six volt system, including fitting a later 50's 6V starter with almost double the cranking torque.
I would agree with O-D to check your cable gauge and earths before trying 8V. best regards Peter Toet

Posted on: 2012/1/5 16:36
I like people, Packards and old motorbikes
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Re: 6 to 8 volt?
#6
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Rusty O\'Toole
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Could be as simple as a tired battery. The regular 6 volt batteries you get these days don`t seem to last long especially if you don`t use the car much.

I`m told Optima batteries are way better with more power to start with and don`t pooh out so soon.

Posted on: 2012/1/5 22:39
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Re: 6 to 8 volt?
#7
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West Peterson
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00 gauge battery cable is better.

Posted on: 2012/1/12 9:52
West Peterson
1940 Packard 1808 w/Factory Air
1947 Chrysler Town and Country sedan
1970 Camaro RS

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