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Discussion Topic:
battery charge 6volt
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46fordnut |
06-11-2011 @ 3:26 PM
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Posts: 332
Joined: Oct 2009
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anyone know what a fully charged 6 volt battery should be? mine get to around 6.10 volts
100 horse running wild
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supereal |
06-11-2011 @ 3:31 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
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That is bit low for a lead acid battery. The best way to test a battery is by specific gravity of the fluid.. There are cheap testers at places such as Walmart that use floating beads. Testing with a voltmeter without removing the surface charge is usually not accurate. At least, turn on the headlights for a few minutes to get to the real voltage level.
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46fordnut |
06-11-2011 @ 4:09 PM
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Member
Posts: 332
Joined: Oct 2009
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just found my positive cable is bad . im going to do as you say but need to recharge battery first. i think it was up to 6.75 when fully charged . i have a braded positive cable . can i just use a normal cable instead?
100 horse running wild
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supereal |
06-11-2011 @ 7:21 PM
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A six volt ground cable is OK, but don't substitute a 12 volt type. Both negative and positive cables must be properly rated to maintain the circuit. Be sure there is a ground cable both to the firewall and the engine.
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46fordnut |
06-11-2011 @ 7:54 PM
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there are cables from positive side of battery to the fire wall and from the wall to the engine. any idea what size cable i should use for battery and starter? not how long but how thick. my system is a six volt factory style. 100 horse running wild
This message was edited by 46fordnut on 6-11-11 @ 7:56 PM
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ford38v8 |
06-11-2011 @ 9:36 PM
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6V battery to solenoid, battery to firewall, and firewall to engine should be AWG 00 ( 2/0 ).
Alan
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46fordnut |
06-12-2011 @ 5:07 PM
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whats wrong if i use 1 ga./cal 41.9 cm (16.5") 100 horse running wild
This message was edited by 46fordnut on 6-12-11 @ 5:11 PM
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ford38v8 |
06-12-2011 @ 8:22 PM
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Posts: 2774
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Sorry, I failed to include solenoid to starter in my previous post. The reason heavy cables are needed is because the system is 6V. The main reason the industry went to 12 volts was due to the growing popularity of air conditioners, and the high cost of copper. While I'm not an Electrical Engineer, I can tell you that even if you were to use 3/0, 4/0, or larger, there would still be a voltage drop at the load end of the circuit. Your question about 1 AWG may be easier to explain if you had ever tried to use a cheap jumper cable made with 1 AWG. It's just too darn small to carry the load.
Alan
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supereal |
06-13-2011 @ 7:40 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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We are finding that many supposed 6 volt cables have undersized conductors, even though they are sold as correct. Many have aluminum, rather than copper, to save money. Aluminum conductors form an oxide, which is an insulator. If the proper connectors aren't installed, together with an anti oxidation material, they will gradually fail. The best way to determine if any cable or wire is at fault, place a voltmeter across that piece from end to end, and apply power. Any reading on the meter indicates the amount of loss in that conductor. At 6 volts, it only take one bad part to "drop" most or all of the power.
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46fordnut |
06-13-2011 @ 4:27 PM
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Member
Posts: 332
Joined: Oct 2009
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recharged battery cranks much better. now i just need to rebuild or replace the fuel pump. it does not pump much fuel or enough to keep the car running. check my battery now as the car has taken some of the top charge off. 6.50 is this weak or still fine? does the gen charge the battery as you drive or only take some stress of the battery? 100 horse running wild
This message was edited by 46fordnut on 6-14-11 @ 5:19 PM
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