Now what?!

[Robert Smith]

Well, everything has been going on just great with the new 8 volt battery... however, I drive the car to a shop today and I let it sit for no more then 20-30 minutes... got ready to go and tryed to turn it on... dead as a door nail! The battery was drained some how. Charged it up, kept a charge but, now it's dead again! When I drove it back, it charged... but, something must be draining it. I touched the negative connector to the post and got sparks... so, something is on and causing it to drain. But, I checked I have no radio, heater, lights or anything on... everything is off... but, I can't figure it out.

=R

[Plymouthy Adams]

are you sure you have not shorted the regulator...

[John Reddie]

That is a good call about the regulator. You could disconnect it and then see if you get sparking at the battery when you connect the cable. If you still do try to remove the fuses and then put them back one at a time and see if that makes the terminal spark. Good luck to you.

John R

[Robert Smith]

Ah, that's an idea! However, what happens next is weird.

So, after I posted this thread, I'm sitting and thinking... I do my best thinking sitting down ya know Anyway, I go back out there and thought maybe the switch to the spot lamp got bumped... well, I played with that a little then touched the cable to the post again... no sparks! So, I switched the switch on again to the spot light... still no sparks... ok, that's funny... then, I thought... oh no, it's dead again... nope, I hooked it back up and the car started right up!

Now, if the regulator has a short, would it still allow a charge from the generator? I do recall that this afternoon when it sat the ams gage showed negative charge when the car was off... the needle was all the way over to the left! Now, it's not... it's sitting right in the middle as it should be.

Seems things are working proper again... but, we'll see for how long.

=R

[steveplym]

Sound like you might have found the problem. You had a parasitic drain somewhere and your amp gauge confirmed it. Like when you hit the brake and it discharges due to the brake lights lighting.

I'd probably keep an eye on your amp gauge and check your spot light switch.

[Robert Smith]

Ok, I left the battery un-hooked over night, put the negative cable back on to the post and it didn't spark... seems to be working right... well, till I get to work and park the car I see the ams needle is all the way over to the left side again! So, I disconnect the battery and walk into work. Come back, hook the battery up again, it sparks! So, something is still on... must be a bad regulator.

So, if I buy a new regulator, will it take that extra volts? Have any of those who use an 8 volt battery have any problem with burning out regulators? Also, it seems to me that there's a good deal of heat coming from my dash board... I'm wondering if this two extra volts is too much for my car.

=R

[Plymouthy Adams]

I think I would look into the old regualtor and see if I could detect if the contacts are indeed sticking..if so clean and adjust for the added volatge..these are sensitive for sure and the books needs be followed step by step..this may just be a fluke as others have used the 8 volt battery with out probs..

[Robert Smith]

Ok, I'll see what I can do about it! Thanks!

R=-

PS: Should I have an electrian see about the wiring under the dash? Does 8 volts really make more heat under there? Is that normal?

[Plymouthy Adams]

you will have a somewhat increase in current drain..the odds are lamps will be a little bit on the short lived side...the use of the 8V as many have said is just a bandaid to your real problem..it takes just one bad corroded connection, most times withing a crimped battery lug or starter cable end to drop a volt or so..this drop in voltage will make your system seem very very sick..by installing the 8 volts..you still have the voltage drop but with the added voltage supply ...you are basically up to stock 6 volt performance of a well maintained system.

[Norm's Coupe]

You've mentioned a lot of heat under the dash a couple of times now. You could have something shorting out under there. Or.............is it just the heat from the engine or your heater. Is your heater valve turned off? If not that could be causing the heat to collect under the dash and have nothing to do with the electrical problem you are having. Try turning the heater control valve on the head off to see if that gets rid of the heat under the dash.

[austinsailor]

I once had a 55 ply 6 that had exactly this problem. I finally found that the ground strap between the engine and frame wasn't making connection. I can't explain why it would do that, but it was just the same as you describe.

[steveplym]

If you've got heat coming from under the dash I would definitely be getting under there and checking. Something could be shorting out and getting hot.

My regulator did go about 2 or 3 years after I put in the 8 volt battery. I purchased an new one and didn't have any more trouble. When it went though it did not discharge like yours is, it just would not charge at all.

[StreamlineDeco47]

Hmmm...all this two-sided info on switching to 8-volts is making me weary, rob. Maybe it's battery season or something! I am now in the market to replace mine and in the middle of which way to go, voltage wise!

[Norm's Coupe]

Hmmm...all this two-sided info on switching to 8-volts is making me weary, rob. Maybe it's battery season or something! I am now in the market to replace mine and in the middle of which way to go, voltage wise!

You really don't need to switch to 8 volts. My P15 starts before one revolution at any temperature (in Wisconsin) and I run with just the standard 6 volt battery. If you can't start our cars with the 6 volt battery then something is wrong and should be repaired, instead of masking with a higher voltage battery.

[Normspeed]

I have to agree with Norm, a healthy 6 volt system can be surprisingly strong. I rewired my engine compartment, overdrive and front harness for little money, got all 3 battery cables made up from 00 cable for less than $40. Made sure the starter and gen were ok, bought a strong 6 volt battery. Starts great, lights are nice and bright, and no tinkering with any original instruments, motors, or bulbs.

Those cables help a lot, they are really stout. A lot of these cars had cables replaced over the years using 12 volt cables and those are too skinny. They put up a lot of resistance in the 6 volt system.

[StreamlineDeco47]

Thanks for the tip Norm! what kind of battery is that and where can i get my hands on one? Thanks in advance!

=Adrian=

[Normspeed]

I got it at a local mom and pop battery shop when I was in CA. They are an Interstate dealer but have a private label line that carries ratings at least as good as the Interstates. Try your local small shop, not a Pep Boys or Sears and you might just find a good one.

How bad are your underhood wires? Mine were crumbling apart. I redid the harnesses myself with primary wires from the parts store, and a bunch of terminals and heat shrink tubing.