[AT] 8-volt batteries in 6-volt tractors

Mike Sloane mikesloane at verizon.net
Thu Mar 9 13:35:58 PST 2006


That is exactly my point, George. If you are using higher voltage to 
overcome a starting problem, you haven't fixed anything.

On the other hand, there are good reasons for converting a 6 volt 
tractor to 12 volts:

1. the cost of replacing a bad generator, voltage regulator, and battery 
(more than one tractor I have bought had all three bad, and the lights 
were broken too).

2. you need to have reliable starting in very cold weather (such as when 
a tractor is needed to clear snow) for a tractor that is kept outdoors.

3. you need reliable bright lights for night work and need to power 12 
volt accessories (flashers for towed implements, radios, etc.).

In the case of my Ford 860 and my '55 Cub, I had all three as 
requirements, so the choice was a "no brainer".

Mike

George Willer wrote:
> Mike,
> 
> Here's my opinion, and it's only an opinion based on experience.  Converting
> to an 8 volt battery is merely an attempt to avoid putting the system in
> good condition.  I've done a fair amount of mechanical music instrument
> restorations over the years, and a mentor I respect gave me this advice..."
> Taking a shortcut to make something work for a while is like being kind to
> your dog by cutting his tail off a little at a time".  I put the 8 volt
> batteries in that category.  Converting to either 8 or 12 volts don't really
> address the underlying problem that will have to be addressed sooner or
> later.
> 
> George Willer  
> 
> 
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com [mailto:at-
>>bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike Sloane
>>Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 9:41 AM
>>To: Antique tractor email discussion group
>>Subject: Re: [AT] 8-volt batteries in 6-volt tractors
>>
>> From what I understand, your Ford's 6 volt generator & cutout will
>>charge the 8 volt battery up to about 6.75 volts, so you really will
>>gain nothing. On a tractor with a "normal" three terminal voltage
>>regulator, I understand that it is possible to adjust it to put out 8.9
>>volts (which is what you need to charge an 8 volt battery properly). If
>>you do that, your lights will last maybe an hour or so and then burn
>>out. And I know of no 8 volt replacement tractor lamps. Your coil will
>>also run hot at the higher voltage.
>>
>>But, as many folks have said before, if the tractor won't start on the 6
>>volts it was designed for, then your problem isn't the battery; it is
>>something else - ignition, wiring, rings, valves, etc. Higher battery
>>voltage may help for a while, but you haven't fixed the problem. On the
>>other hand, if your battery/generator is shot, you need brighter lights
>>for night work, you need to start in bitter cold, or some other issue,
>>then you might as well just "bite the bullet" and do a proper complete
>>12 volt conversion.
>>
>>Mike
>>
>>D. Day wrote:
>>
>>>TSC has quit stocking 6-volt batteries and replaced them with 8-volt.
>>
>>The
>>
>>>sticker on the 8-volt battery states that the 'extra 2 volts helps
>>
>>antique
>>
>>>vehicles start easier.'
>>>
>>>Several years ago, a friend suggested that I buy an 8-volt for a Ford 2N
>>>that I was working on. Once I installed it, I found that the charging
>>
>>system
>>
>>>on the 2N wasn't keeping up with the task and I was unsure exactly how
>>
>>to
>>
>>>charge an 8-volt battery with my 6-volt/12-volt charger.
>>>
>>>I called Exide, the company that made the 8-volt battery, and finally
>>
>>spoke
>>
>>>with an engineer. He suggested strongly that 8-volt batteries should
>>
>>never
>>
>>>be used in any application that was not designed to maintain an 8-volt
>>>battery.  He said that typically the on-board 6-volt charging systems
>>
>>are
>>
>>>not adequate and except for a few industrial machines, no one makes an
>>>8-volt charger.  According to him, charging an 8-volt battery with a 6-
>>
>>volt
>>
>>>charger doesn't work and charging it with a 12-volt charger is
>>
>>dangerous.
>>
>>>Anyone have experience with 8-volt batteries?
>>>
>>>Dick Day
>>>
>>
>>--
>>
>>
>>Mike Sloane
>>Allamuchy NJ
>>mikesloane at verizon.net
>>Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
>>Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>
>>
>>You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image
>>when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.
>>-Anne Lamott, writer (1954- )
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>AT mailing list
>>Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
>>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
> 

-- 


Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
mikesloane at verizon.net
Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image
when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.
-Anne Lamott, writer (1954- )





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