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Six-volt batteries don't last for me; a new one is required every couple of years

However I have access to FREE almost-new 12-volt batteries from wrecks

Is a resister available to adapt a 12-volt to a 6-8 volt system in a late 40s Chev p/u?

That is about the most popular conversion on old cars & trucks & one of the most beneficial. There is gobs of info in the tech section & search. If vyou have any questions after studying it post it & we will help.

You're just not getting the right 6v battery. I've had a 6v Optima in my '38 for 8 years now & it's still going strong. Even a cheap 6v will last four or five years and longer if the charging system is up to snuff. Sounds to me like you have more than battery issues.

Yep, eight years now, on my Farm & Fleet batteries, put a second
one in a couple of years ago, not because the first was bad,
just because I didn't want to get caught on a trip if the 6volt
battery went south on me in Timbuktu. I'd probably have to wait
a week for them to ship me one. I'm using the first one as my
6volt power supply on my radio bench in the basement.
Over charging, letting it go dead, adding tap water, all things
that can shorten the life span.
Denny G

9 years on the 6v Optima in my suburban. I leave it in the truck in the icebox (garage) every winter.

The more astounding 6v battery is the 6 year old WalMart battery in my Sears yard tractor that hibernates outdoors and started right up (with October gas) on Monday.

Gee Denny. You actually drove your truck to Timbuktu?

Miss, are you using junk yard 6V batteries. When you say new do you mean brand new? BTW what brand are they? You could have an inherent electrical leak/draw that you don't know about.... or generator no good. Bad connections at battery or generator. Should check all that ASAP... but free batteries are tempting. 12V conversion is fairly easy.
Here is another issue: Here in AZ, batteries don't last more than about 3 yrs due to heat. That's been true for decades. Canada has real cold/freezing weather right? How do your friend's batteries hold up? If you are a little off on your 2 year estimate, you may be where we are, at 3 years.

My last battery was an Everready from Walmart and it lasted five years. However, if you want to convert to 12 volts, it is pretty simple to do. You can click on Tech Tips at the top of the page and you will find one on this subject. In a nutshell you would change the generator out for a 12 volt, change all the bulbs, use a resistor for the fuel gauge and a resistor or reducer for the heater blower and the radio.

Big plans Bill, been planning one to Fairbanks also for quite a
while but time is running out, not sure if I'll live long
enough to accomplish all my plans.
DG

brand, spanking-new NAPA 6-volt batteries

are removed Dec - March (winter) & put in heated room, NOT on concrete floor & trickle-charged for a few weeks

however 3 years may be closer to average than two

thx to all for feedback (truck 100% correct & do not intend to convert)

Someone after my own heart. Have you checked the output of the generator when under load? It should be charging about 8+/- volts. Under normal conditions a battery should last much longer than three years.

Now we're gettin' somewhere

What is procedure to check generator 'under load'?

Actually I think the correct output in say summer temperatures is around 7.4 volts, charging. This is all detailed in the shop manual. Here is a link an online copy. Shop Manual

Miss Church
Why not on concrete floor?

Sounds like you are taking good care of your batteries. 3 years probably too long for it to be a drain, too short to make you happy. Make sure your charger is a good one, also "few weeks"? needs to be maintained the whole 4 months per... From the web:
"Once fully charged through saturation, the battery should not dwell at the topping voltage for more than 48 hours and must be reduced to the float voltage level. Charging beyond what the battery can take turns the redundant energy into heat and the battery begins to gas. The recommended float voltage of most low-pressure lead acid batteries is 2.25 to 2.27V per cell." (you have 3 cells= 6.75-6.81V float charge)
Miss: Your charger should fast charge to about 75% then float/trickle at the rates above. If not, you may be contributing to your own failure. Also; maybe change brand of battery or get one with better proration. Been here many years, never heard of anyone getting 8 years out here. My trucks: 3 years, cars: 3 years, my boat: 3 years. It's not just me and you getting 3 years, there are plenty, just not posting. Batteries are about $25-$30 a year no matter what you buy. AAA Arizona web site says 22 mo is average battery life span in AZ no matter the warrantee, so we get a long proration or 60 mo free replacement. Had a lifetime from sears years ago, boy did they lose money in AZ.

"why not on concrete floor?"

Old habits die hard (battery pun unintended)

By "under load" I mean to start it & run at fast idle. Turn on your lights, heater & anything else that draws power. Put a voltmeter (multi-meter works great) on the generator output and ground. If it's not putting out over 7 volts you've found your problem (at least you know it's not the battery).

I use one of those "float technology" minders on mine through the winter. It seems to do a really nice job. the light stays green until it detects the need for a slight charge and then it turns orange. As a battery ages, the periods of charging become more frequent and longer. A battery that is really starting to slide will cause it to charge continuosly. Driving my truck, I can tell by the ammeter when a battery is starting to degrade. Normally after a few minutes of driving the needle will sit about one needle width to the charge side. As the battery starts to degrade, that constant charging rate will increase.