Oh, and.. as someone who has devoted his entire life to electronic theory, engineering, etc.. Its not about saving your ailing 6 volt system, its about pepping it up with no downsides whatsoever. No readjusting the regulator, no changing anything. The engineers designed these trucks in the day with tolerances. Plus 2.5 volts, minus .5 volts. Even the charging system will keep up just fine. All of the bulbs, electronics throughout the system have these same tolerances and will last forever on 8 volts. Its just a little known thing that lights people up because they don't reason that it makes any sense.
Just like those who don't realize 6 volts takes twice the amperage (of 12). 8 volts takes that much less. Easier on everything in the system. But, I am not very reasonable in my thinking that ALL vehicles in North America should be converted to 12v. No farmer back in the day was happy on a cold winter day with a 6v system. Now that we all have climate controlled garages we all of the sudden have religion on keeping it stock. My dad was the Kansas farmer who cussed every time he tried to start up the old 1950 Chevy truck in the winter time. After you understand electronic theory fully, its a no brainer to help keep the system tweaked for optimum performance. It was funny to hear him talk about how he had to hand crank the truck in 15 degree weather. As a teenager, I felt it was funny! He said it about did him in. Most of the older guys I talk to feel the very same.
6 volts was a step in the chain to find the sweet spot. Turned out that 12 volts was it. I applaud the keep it stock concept and I support it fully, but understand why and what the implications are. Most show trucks I have seen at car shows, if they let you look under the floor, there is an 8 volt battery in their stock truck. Even the 6 volt charger works perfect with it.
I knew it would open up a can of worms, but so many people don't understand electronics so they make stuff up. Don't trust me, do your own research, but there is always room to learn something new. I learn new stuff from you guys all the time!
I think what prompted me to start some of this was the idea of converting your amp gauge to a volt gauge. You DO realize that a 12 volt battery can be almost totally dead and still read 12 volts? A 60 amp 12 volt battery would need about 500 milliamps left in it to still read 12v. Nevermind that you have no idea what your charging system ratio is doing. Sorry, im sure I have said too much, promise not to hold it against me!
