[Shop-talk] 6 volts

[Pat]

Dave,

8 volt batteries are/were fairly common on older farm tractors. The 6 
volt batteries just didn't get the engines to turn over very fast and 
had a weak spark, probably from lack of maintenance of the electrical 
system. When I bought my 1952 Farmall Super C, it had an 8 volt battery 
in it. It worked fine until the battery died. Rather than put in another 
8 volt battery (still very available here in farm country), I replaced 
the coil and generator with 12 volt parts. It has worked fine ever 
since. I have some lights to get working on it, but there is no rush, I 
don't use it after dark and have higher priority use of my time.

Peace,
Pat

Thusly spake David C.:
> And yet another somewhat unrelated data point....
>
> Back in the late '70s I had a '51 (or so) GMC half ton pickup.  6 volt 
> system, starter via a pedal on the floor.  Ignition switch was a toggle 
> on the dash.  Manual choke.  Pull the choke out, step on the starter 
> pedal, after it turned over once or twice, flip the toggle; started 
> right up.  It had an EIGHT volt battery in it, no other changes.  I 
> understand the regulator had been adjusted for enough output to keep it 
> charged.  Lights and everything else worked as normal.  The electrical 
> system was one of the few things on that truck I DIDN'T have problems 
> with.
>
> Dave C
>
> Arvid Jedlicka wrote:
>   
>> Note that this does not condone the practice. It simply represents my 
>> experience.
>>
>> When growing up we had a '40 Ford flathead v8 dump truck that we would use 
>> for snow removal. When it would not start on the 6 volt system - often in 
>> the winter - we would disconnect one of the 6 volt battery cables and jump 
>> it with a 12 volt battery. The starter would spin - I believe the technical 
>> term is VERY FAST - and there was plenty of spark so it started very 
>> quickly. Once started we would quickly move the battery cable back to the 6 
>> volt system.
>>
>> We eventually got a snow blower but the truck was still running when it was 
>> replaced.
>>
>> Arvid
>>
>>
>>     
>>> alternatively, can I jump the starter with 12v without fritzing the
>>> rest of the electrical system?
>>>       
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-- 
Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems 
(512) 797-7501 Voice		5026 FM 2001
Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com	Lockhart, TX 78644-4443
www.hornesystemstx.com
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