Thinking of using this 8 volt battery

[Westy Steve]

Thinking of using this.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/exide-heavy-duty-farm-battery-8-1?cm_vc=-10005

My car didn't come with a radio, so I'm thinking of using this and tweeking the generator to put out something like 8.5 volts. I might use an ipod and hidden speakers to maintain the charm of the radio block off plate but still have tunes.

What do you think?
_________________
Have nice 914, want nice Bug

[splitjunkie]

I think you would need at least 9.5 volts to properly charge that battery. If you don't have enough voltage to fully charge it, the battery won't operate at peak efficiency and probably won't last as long as it should.
_________________
Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[Joe 20]

I am no expert, but I restored several old Willys Jeeps (1940's) and it was not uncommon to replace the 6v with an 8 volt for more cranking power, etc.
You didn't have to change any bulbs or other things and the price of the two was similar if I remember correctly.

[Blue Baron]

Unless you know how to exactly modify your voltage regulator, don't do it, because instead of an 8 volt battery, you'll end up with a sick 6 volt one.

I like 6 volt Optimas and would use nothing else.
_________________
We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[jason]

I used to run the tractor batteries. They were cheaper and i never had a problem.

[Westy Steve]

Here's the thing, I do know how to modify my voltage regulator. It's not that hard. The other thought I have is that the voltage drops associated with older wiring and not-always-perfectly-clean electrical connections will lower the voltage as the electricity goes from Point A to Point B.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still on the fence about this.

Has anyone done this with a VW firsthand? Did the headlights pop all the time? Did the generator burn out quickly.
_________________
Have nice 914, want nice Bug

[splitjunkie]

An 8 volt battery is a 4 cell battery. You need at least .15 volts per cell to induce a charge so each 2 volt cell has to see at least 2.15 volts. You would need at least 8.6 volts to charge an 8 volt battery. This will charge it at the slowest rate possible so if they drain on the battery while starting and driving can be recouped by charging it at 8.6 volts then it should work.

this site has some good information.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery


If you are hoping to improve the brightness of your lights and improve starting the first thing you should do is to address the problem at its source. Clean every electrical connection in the car. Once it is in proper operating condition then assess if you want to go to a bigger battery.

If you have marginal connections they have resistance. This resistance causes heat when current flows through them. If you add another couple of volts without cleaning the connections then you will be producing more heat and could cause damage to some connections and in a worse case, start a fire.
_________________
Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld