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8 volt , headlights blown ?

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Bruce Schwering

12-22-2006 19:56:55

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I have replaced my dying 6 volt battery with a new 8 volt battery that helped the starting greatly, my only problem is that one by one i have lost all my 6 volt headlights and work lights, is there something i am missing or is this just a coincidence. Are any resisters needed to be able to use this battery and save my future new bulbs ? Any expertise in this area would be graetly appreciated. Thanks, Bruce

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David Kuhnel

12-30-2006 22:53:27

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Bruce Schwering, 12-22-2006 19:56:55

My 8n when I purchased it was still a 6 volt system with a 8 volt battery. I since converted to the 12 volt system and plan to change over to electronic ignition.I still retain all the 6 volt parts in case of restoration,but try to find a nice black 6 volt battery with Ford script. You can at the model A store for about a couple hundred bucks. Oh well!! David

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Jerry Park

12-25-2006 12:41:39

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Bruce Schwering, 12-22-2006 19:56:55

I have just finished restoring a TO35 which I have installed a 8 volt battery in place of the 6 volt. I was informed that the 6 volt bulbs would still work OK but now reading these emails am concerned on how to set the voltage regulator to charge the battery and to extend the life of the bulbs. Does the voltage regulator have to be set at 9 volts? Any body had any success at this? Thanks and Merry Christmas.

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Gerald J.

12-26-2006 11:53:09

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Jerry Park, 12-25-2006 12:41:39

It takes 2.35 volts per cell to get full charge on a lead acid storage battery with 1260 full charge speciic gravity, which fits most starting batteries. That's 9.4 volts for the 4 cells of the "8 volt" battery.

To raise the charging voltage you increase the clapper spring tension on the voltage regulator section of the relays in the voltage regulator case. That's the one with the fine wire in the coil, generally.

6 volts started the tractor for 40 50, maybe 60 years. It still will if you go buy 2 or 0 gauge battery cables (NAPA carries them) instead of the 6 gauge sold at Walmart and other places intended for starting sewing machine sized engines. And then you don't need to adjust the voltage regulator other than to refine the adjustment so that it gets the battery up to 7.2 volts and you don't blow lamps.

Gerald J.

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Bruce Schwering

12-24-2006 09:09:00

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Bruce Schwering, 12-22-2006 19:56:55

i appreciate the advice, since i already have the 8 volt battery i would like to continue to use it...starter is new,engine rebuilt & all systems functioning right on the mark. I do have a regulator type system. i have read elswhere in this sight that a inline resister might be the answer,has anyone else tried this ? I do not use the lights often but at $15 apiece, i would like them to last. BTW it is a 53 TO-30. Thanks again, Bruce

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Gerald J.

12-24-2006 10:48:19

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Bruce Schwering, 12-24-2006 09:09:00

Is your regulator 6 volts or 12 volts? I don't recall ever seeing them for 8 volts. The 12 volt regulator will overcharge the battery (and blow the lights) while the 6 volt regulator won't charge the battery at all unless adjusted to 9 volts.

You could put a resistor in each light, takes a different resistance value for each light. About 1/3 the HOT resistance of the lamp, given by rated volts divided by rated amps. With a power rating 1/3 that of the lamp (volts * amps).

Its conceivable that you could put in a transistor voltage regulator for the lamps but lamps are obnoxious loads drawing about 15 times rated current when initially connected. That means a really big transistor and heatsink is needed.

Gerald J.

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Gerald J.

12-23-2006 11:37:31

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Bruce Schwering, 12-22-2006 19:56:55

Rule of thumb for an incandescent lamp is that for each 5% of increase in voltage, you increase the visible light output by 10% and cut the life in half. 9 volts charging for an 8 volt battery is 5 of those 5% increases. So the expected lamp life is cut by a factor of 32. So on the average a 1000 hour lamp will last 31 hours with the 8 volt battery.

If the regulator (and I doubt there is one, just a third brush generator and a cutout) lets the voltage go high, or you don't divert charging curreent from the fully charged battery that voltage at the lamps will be higher and lamp life shorter.

In the long run, 0 gauge starter cables, a starter rebuild including bearings, and clean connections may prove to be cheaper than the 8 volt battery.

Gerald J.

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Ed H.-OH

12-23-2006 07:57:54

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Bruce Schwering, 12-22-2006 19:56:55

Bruce, Hello from Ohio, I put an 8 volt in my to35, Adjusted the regulator to charge at 9 volts and it worked great, with one exception, When it was cold and i started it up , I had to be carefull not to rev it up till it warmed up or the regulator would stick ( you could see the amp gauge go clear to the right) and blow out the headlights. My solution was not to turn the lights on till it warmed up a little. It's been my experience that a 6volt bulb will take up to 9 volts with out blowing. So the only thing i could suggest is Your regulator is sticking at times , going up to 10-12 volts or the brand of bulb your getting is poor quality and wont take the higher volts. -Hope this helps-ed

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Rexalot

12-27-2006 11:46:53

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Ed H.-OH, 12-23-2006 07:57:54

Not sure why you initially purchased an 8 volt, unless with all that new found compression your starter couldn't spin it to your liking.

It is my opinion, that 8 volt batteries were made just to install in tractors that have improperly maintained 6 volt systems.

Sure, you can jack-up your voltage regulator, but then you always will have those 'lil electron gremlins running down the wires to potentially pop the bulbs. Besides, at $15 for each bulb by the time you replace all 3 you'll have paid for a 6 volt battery

Just do it.

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Ed H.-OH

12-27-2006 13:44:56

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Rexalot, 12-27-2006 11:46:53

Thanks for your input on 8 volts, but I switched mine to 12 volt negitive ground and instulled pertronix electronic ignition about 2 years ago and could kick my self for not doing it sooner,i've had the tractor for 25 years Regards -ed

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Rexalot

12-28-2006 04:33:47

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Re: 8 volt , headlights blown ? in reply to Ed H.-OH, 12-27-2006 13:44:56

12v conversion is alot more effective and efficient than using a 8 volt in a 6 volt system.

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