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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Battery issue

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Discussion Topic: Battery issue -- page: 1 2

Tmusk

12-20-2021 @ 5:13 PM

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Need advice. I've had a '47 Super Deluxe, 6 Volt positive ground, with a new 8 Volt battery for about 2 months now and had no issues starting or battery related. This morning at 8:30, after sitting in my unheated garage for 2+ weeks and with an outdoor temp of 23F, it started up fine. I drove about 2 miles to a garage for an inspection and parked it in the sun until this afternoon (~ 50F) when they could get to it. I demonstrated how to start the car when I left it in the morning and possibly left the start switch in the ON position but the car certainly wasn't running. When they tried to start it at 3:30 this afternoon they said the battery was dead and measured less than 1 Volt. My question is whether there is a significant draw on the battery when the switch is in the ON position but no lights are on? If not, any ideas?
Thanks

sarahcecelia

12-20-2021 @ 6:37 PM

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Come on now; WAKE UP! If the ignition switch is on and the points happen to be closed; it will drain the battery. If you're lucky and the points are open; no drain on the battery! Remedy- "Always turn the ignition switch OFF!!"

Regards, Steve Lee

51woodie

12-21-2021 @ 3:49 AM

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Tmusk. It looks by your post, you are new to old flatheads, and Steve's post is a little terse. So welcome to early Fords. I had a lot to learn when I got my '46 Super Deluxe Coupe a few years ago, and one of the lessons was, to never leave the ignition switch on if the engine is not running. Steve is right about the points closed with the engine not running makes a complete circuit. If the point/s (a stock distributer has two sets) are closed, the ignition system is under load, and can cause burned point/s, or a burned ignition coil. You didn't say if you got your car running or not. I'm sure there will be others with more knowledge than I, that will respond with comments and suggestions.
-It is possible you have to replace the points.
-You will have to test the condition of your coil. (do a search on this forum)
-Did you car come with an 8V battery? Ford didn't build them that way, and all old flatheads operate just fine on 6V, if all your cables and connections are
good. ((do a search on hard starting)
- You have to ask, how does a 6V charging system charge an 8V battery?

Tmusk

12-21-2021 @ 7:31 AM

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Thanks for the advice. Looks like this may turn out to be a major mistake I made. The garage was able to start the car but once the portable battery charger was removed it would only run about 20 seconds is the report. After charging the battery all night they report this morning that there is a dead cell on the "new" battery. I doubt this is a cause but rather a result of leaving the switch on for probably six hours yesterday so now we'll also check all the things you mentioned. Hopefully, because it started with a jump the damage is limited.

Yes, I am new to pre-60's antique cars. Previous owner indicated that he was urged to use an 8V battery instead of 6V to "make everything work better". Since the purchase I'm finding there don't seem to be many/any parts made specifically for 8V systems and as I may be replacing the battery it sounds like the recommendation is to move back to the original 6V system. Any further advice is welcome.
Thanks again

37RAGTOPMAN

12-21-2021 @ 8:28 AM

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tmusk
the v8 distributer has 2 sets of points, it would be hard that one of them wasn't closed when you left ON the key
I always disconnect my battery, when I leave the car, for any amount of time, never take a chance,
it seems to me your charging system is not working, because the engine started and ran, once the voltage dropped it shut off,

if I was you, I would get a new 6 volt battery. check it before leaving the auto parts store,and then see if it charges
you might have replace the regulator, or rebuild the generator,
I have used CERTIFIED AUTO ELECTRIC in OHIO which helped me out !!!!
check your grounds and all battery cable connections,
also a
slow turning engine, can be a worn and lazy starter, too thin of battery cables,and or a starter solenoid

probably have the distributer rebuilt, or install new points, coil and condensor
they all heated up, and probably are ruined.
hope this helps 37Ragtopman

51woodie

12-21-2021 @ 10:02 AM

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Tmusk. Your profile doesn't show your location. It is possible that there is an "Early V8er" in you area, that may be a good contact to help you. The EFV8 Club publishes a Roster of Members that, if you have one, is very helpful in sourcing local area members.

trjford8

12-21-2021 @ 5:06 PM

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The secret to the 6 volt system is to use the proper sized battery cables which are larger than 12 volt cables. The other thing you need to do is make sure all ground cables have a good clean ground.

TomO

12-22-2021 @ 8:38 AM

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When a battery is completely drained it will suffer some damage. If your battery had a weak cell before it was drained, draining could have finished off the cell.

I suggest that you go back to a 6 volt battery, Optima is my choice. You will need to get your regulator adjusted to put out between 7.2 - 7.6 Volts max or buy a new regulator.

My other suggestion is to remove the key whenever you shut off the engine. When you leave the ignition on for a long period of time, you will damage the coil, so you should also look into having a stock type coil rebuilt by Skip Haney in Florida.

Good luck and have a Merry Christmas, you have not done any irreparable damage to your 2 month old purchase and will be able to drive it again. Ask you family to give you a membership in the Early ford V-8 Club for Christmas. The magazine is great, you will meet many people that have enjoyed their cars for many years and can help you enjoy your.

Tom

flatcreeker

12-23-2021 @ 3:14 PM

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Don’t be offput by anyone’s small minded reply to your posting on the forum. This is the best place to learn and 97.4% of the membership will understand your newness to the old Ford owner population. I’m new as well and get much assistance here; right d*mn here!

1942deluxe

12-25-2021 @ 8:34 AM

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Don't feel bad about leaving the ignition switch on. I did it this summer for the first time since owning 42-48 Fords since 1973. Coil had oil boiled out of it and distributor points were pitted. Is your coil the original one with the ford script or a round one? If it is going to start good distributor needs to be timed correctly. Charlie Schwendler in NY. can do that for you and it will be 100%. His number is 716-662-9159. He also rebuilds Carbs and fuel pumps so the ethanol isn't as much a factor. Skip Haney can rebuild an original coil. I found my battery cables had "green" inside when an end snapped off one day. Looked good from the outside. Consider replacing all and clean all connections at a minimum. P.M. me anytime and I'll try to help you. Ditch the 8V battery, if everything is up to snuff the 6 volt system is fine. People that had these cars drove them everyday and didn't own them because they were unreliable!

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