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The store that has sold me my 6 volt batteries over the years claims they can order me an 8 volt battery and that all his customers with 6 volt cars use them and are very happy. They reported to the store manager that the car turns over right away and the lights are brighter at night or the Amperes do not drop when the lights are turned on? Has anyone heard of using an 8 volt battery in a 6 volt system?
If you have the 6 volt battery wires on the car (people put
the smaller 12 volt wires on them because they are cheaper)
it should start the way it's supposed to.The eight volt
burns light bulbs out faster
As Rick says, if the 6 volt system is properly maintained, there shouldn't be anything inadequate about it. Rick is correct that people often put the smaller 4 gauge (12 volt)battery cables on the 6 volt cars, and they don't carry the necessary current of the 6 volt system well. Consequently the cars don't crank well (especially when hot) and they don't start as well as would be expected.
As a matter of fact, we just replaced 4 gauge cables on a '52 Buick today.
2 gauge or even 0 gauge battery cables, along with making sure that all the connections are tight and clean go a long way to making the performance of the 6 volt system satisfactory.
Putting an 8 volt battery in a 6 volt car doesn't really overcome a dirty, loose, and small cable condition on your car, and also will require an adjustment to the generator regulator/cut-out so that the car properly charges your 8 volt battery.
And, your points and bulb life will be diminished a bit.
8 volt batteries are like waterpumps on Model T Fords...... if the car is set up right, they're not necessary, and if they're NOT set up right, they're not going to fix the problem.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
I agree with the previous 2 comments. If everything is correct, the car should start. All. Cables should be 0 or 1 gauge.
You don't say what your car is, other than 6 Volt system which narrows it down to 1955 or older. I will say from experience, my 54 Firedome Hemi did not start well when hot in spite of putting on the correct cables. If I gave it 30-40 minutes to cool down it started just fine, otherwise it would just give a sluggish crank and not fire.
I eventually installed a 6volt/12volt relay and an additional 6volt battery. The car started on 12volt, and after starting ran on 6volt.
I think The Antique Battery Company sells what you need to do this conversion.
Thanks Everyone- by the way the car is a 1955 DeSoto Firedome model S-22 . As far as the existing wiring I have no clue on the gauge. Wiring has been chnaged in some areas of the car. Other wiring looks original and frail......Ed
Ed,
The wiring being discussed in this thread is primarily the battery cables that connect to the battery, starter, starter relay and ground connection. You and I have spoken before. Like you, I too own a '55 S-22. Many years ago I parted with $100.00 plus and purchased a correct new production set of battery cables for the '55 from Atlas Obsolete Chrysler ( http://www.atlaschrys.com/ ). I also faithfully began using a battery disconnect switch and disconnect the battery when the car is not in use. Any starting or battery draining issues both disappeared and battery life increased substantially. If you are unsure how old the battery cables are and if you are not sure they are the correct gauge, spend the money on a correct set and clean up the connections before you install them and install a battery disconnect switch and use it. Keep your battery posts free of corrosion and you should not experience any hard starting, or at least eliminate the battery and cables as a problem source.
Mark K.
Yes MArk we did chat before- Thanks for responding.
I did replace the battery cables but I will have to check on the gauge- The battery is new and the engine has been completely rebuilt. Along with a rebuilt generator that is putting out 6 to 7.5 volts. The voltage regulator was tested also and I am told it is fine. My issue is not exactly rough starting but the fact that the headlights drain voltage especially when the engine is idling. Naturally when I accelerate the lights get brighter and the amperes gauge increases. Is this just the way it is in owning an older 6 volt car with a generator? 
That is normal for a car with a generator.
I corrected all grounds and put heavy gauge (stock) battery cables on my 55 fireflite 7 years ago but starting was always a chancy affair and drove my wife nuts. I finally took some good advice and installed a 8 volt battery (they are common on tractors) and had the regulator adjusted to put out 9 volts..end of problem. I never had to change a light bulb or found any other problem. I did install a petronix ignition changeover so no points. The car started EVERY TIME. I suspect the naysayers have never actually experienced the results and never tried it. It is a pleasure to get in and hit the starter without trepidation.
