TheMoose Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Did a search on 6V batteries but didn't find a thread so.... While I'm not used to 6V systems I get nervous starting my truck because it...well...sounds like a 1/2 dead 12V trying to start it! It's always started but it still cranks slow & it would be embarrassing to have to get a jump start at a cruise in! I currently have a Turbo Start brand batt that is 800cca@32* & 600cca@0* I tried the battery from the Model A, an Exide with 750cca@32* & 650cca@0* but couldn't tell any difference. I'm looking to get the Optima red top 6V 1000cca@32* & 800cca@0*. Sounds like what I need but before I spend that kind of money I wanted to see if anyone else uses this battery & does it crank faster or do you have any suggestions on other batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanksB3B Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 (edited) Optima. Its the only battery that provides true 800 cold cranking amps. Next Choice would be Delco then Interstate. Because the Optima is a sealed battery, they can be shipped. If you want to talk batteries give Steve a call he'll help you out and loves to talk battery..Advanced Battery Systems. 5649 Mesmer Ave. Culver City, Ca 90230. Toll Free: 1-800-464-4796. Phone: (310) 482-3799. Fax: (310) 482-3792 ...his prices are very fair. Hank Edited October 7, 2011 by HanksB3B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 What size battery cables are you using ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoose Posted October 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 What size battery cables are you using ? Don't know the gauge size but they look to be able to do the job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanksB3B Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 on the pantywaist side to me. What do you think Reg? Hank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoose Posted October 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 What about 12v Jump Boxes or getting a jump start from a 12 volt car? Can this damage anything in the electrical system or is it OK as long as it's quick & you don't crank it for 5 min straight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoose Posted October 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 on the pantywaist side to me. What do you think Reg?Hank Monster battery cables??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 (edited) Actually they look a little small to me. Many off the shelf battery cables now days are 4 or6 gauge, which is good for modern 12v automobiles. Your 6 volt system should have a minimum 1 gauge. I prefer 0 gauge or better yet, 00 gauge. Adding a higher CCA battery won't help you if the cables can't carry the amperage. Even a proper 6v starting system will crank slower than what you are used to in modern vehicles, but if you have a good battery, good cables, and a good starter, you can crank for a long time without issues. The slower 6v cranking helps give my truck it's character. Merle Edited October 7, 2011 by Merle Coggins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanksB3B Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Supposedly...it's o.k. but I've never done it. I'm the nervous sort when it comes to electrical. I think it started when as a young man I cut a live 220 line whit one part of the channelocks in my right hand and the other in my left and just cut all the wires at one time . So I don't give advice as far as electrical is concerned . However I do make beautiful wire harnesses that work flawlessly including signals in the parking and tail lights. So I feel o.k. about myself. Hank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 on the pantywaist side to me. What do you think Reg? Hank looks like cables from RIWire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanksB3B Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 looks like cables from RIWire? Mine aren't that pretty a local battery shop made mine I think they are "0" gage (Merle would know wht they should be) Hank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmopar Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 What about 12v Jump Boxes or getting a jump start from a 12 volt car?Can this damage anything in the electrical system or is it OK as long as it's quick & you don't crank it for 5 min straight? I use a 12 volt jump pack and have not had any problems but the amp gauge pegs but no real problems. Just be sure you do not have anything 6 volt on and do not step on the brakes as there is a good chance you will pop the bulbs. also for better starting in addition to large cables if you relocate you ground closer to the starter I think that should help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike@DRH Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 I put a 8 volt battery in my 6 volt truck at the beginning of the summer. So far, so good. Don't notice lights any brighter and charges fine without any changes to charging system, just put it in. The starter is where it really made a difference, turns over alot faster than the 6 volt battery ever did. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoose Posted October 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 (edited) I put a 8 volt battery in my 6 volt truck at the beginning of the summer. So far, so good.Don't notice lights any brighter and charges fine without any changes to charging system, just put it in. The starter is where it really made a difference, turns over alot faster than the 6 volt battery ever did. Mike You didn't need to adjust the voltage regulator? Wouldn't that undercharge the battery & cause premature failure? Edited October 7, 2011 by TheMoose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 In my humble opinion the best six (or twelve) volt battery is the one with the higest cold cranking apmerage rating, the one with a lower price than the others, and the one that lasts the longest. It is a crap shoot. The big brand names can last a long time and or they can fail in a short time same as the small brand ones. As with many things if it makes one feel better with an expensive brand name then spend the extra money and get it. But your car will not know the difference. Some here have had compatability problems with there charging system when using an Optima battery. You might find these threads entertaining. http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=8996&highlight=optima http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=3693&highlight=optima Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoose Posted October 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 OK I'm no electrical engeneer but how is the Optima any different from a lead acid battery except for the "gel" & how does that effect being charged by a Generator compaired to an altenator? I have never heard anything like this before & had no problems with a 12V Optima battery in my VW powered race car that also has a generator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Do a forum search for Optima and read all that you find. I only posted a couple of threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Elder Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Moose, this is a guy from the car side...nice truck by the way! If you don't upgrade to the proper cables like the thicker ones shown your electrical system will never function correctly, not justs your starter:eek:also make sure your have clean metal for all your grounds and use star washers that bite into the metal when tightened. Adding extra grounds for your motor, cab, and box is also a good idea for better continuity. This will make your headlights/tails/brakes brighter and your starter will turn over faster. So really until you do these things....a new battery won't make much of a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1B Keven Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Optima or any battery built by Johnson Controls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike@DRH Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 You didn't need to adjust the voltage regulator? Wouldn't that undercharge the battery & cause premature failure? I just put it in and did nothing else. Left the dash lights on one day and the battery died. I wasn't exactly sure how to charge an 8 volt battery with a charger that has only 6 or 12 so I put it on 6 for about 15 minutes and it fired right up. Like I said, so far so good Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoose Posted October 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Really good tips guys! I thought the thicker gauge cables was for hi output or hi drain applications like lots of light or really big amps, I will change cables to thicker first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carls 49 Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 got mine at napa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highspeed Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 What about 12v Jump Boxes or getting a jump start from a 12 volt car?Can this damage anything in the electrical system or is it OK as long as it's quick & you don't crank it for 5 min straight? The guy I got my truck from jump started it with a Ranger. The PH started fine but soon (15 sec.) smoke started to poor out of the chimney__ ER I mean cowl vent. He smoked all the wires under the dash and the truck wouldn't start again. No big loss on the wiring. It was a tangled mess anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moparmonkey Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 My g/f has a 6v Optima in her '55 Coronet. Been there about a year now I think, no issues with it whatsoever. It's being charged by a rebuilt stock generator and run through a new voltage regulator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 OK I'm no electrical engeneer but how is the Optima any different from a lead acid battery except for the "gel" & how does that effect being charged by a Generator compaired to an altenator?I have never heard anything like this before & had no problems with a 12V Optima battery in my VW powered race car that also has a generator. My posting was not ment to be offensive nor to insult your knowledge expertise. I only wanted to point out that there have been optima problems with others. I really do not care what direction you elect to go. But I, personally, like to gather as much information as I can prior to making the final decision. I thought you might also like this information and that is why I made this posting. Care to tell more about your VW racer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.