Which Battery for 1925 Ford Model T touring?

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Which Battery for 1925 Ford Model T touring?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mitch on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 08:36 am:

Hi Members :-)
My 1925 Model T needs a new battery, and I came up with this...
http://www.batteriesdirect.com.au/shop/product/4349/optima-red-top-battery.html

My question is, would this be suitable? Since the T has a generator, not an alternator, would this be an issue?

Chat soon!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Vaughn on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 08:51 am:

Mitch, in my opinion this battery is "overkill" for a Model T. You are not running any electrical demand on a T if you are running on Mag and no headlights. Only demand is for the starter. Again just my opinion. I would opt for the much less expensive standard 6V battery.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Eagle Ida Fls on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 08:52 am:

For what it's worth I put a 6 volt optima battery in one of my T's in 1998. It has a generator but no starter and the cars sits and is not driven every year but still holds a charge and works great for my distributor ignition.
Rich


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 09:09 am:

I agree, that's too much. Way too much (money). A regular six volt battery from the local farm supply (and costing less than half that much) works fine for me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 11:15 am:

I believe you can get that battery for less if you shop around. If you put them in on an angle, they will fit in an original Ford battery box.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Claverie on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 11:41 am:

I think you're asking two different but related questions.

One: Would an Optima battery work as well or better in a Model T, than a standard lead-acid type battery, and is there a potential problem with its use? The answer is - works as well or better, and no problem.

Two: Is there any reason the added price is worth it? The answer is - Well, it might last longer, and it's smaller and therefore easier to mount in a non-standard location, but otherwise it's only worth it if you just wanna.

By the way, they're extensively used on boats, where weight is an issue, and the pounding in rough water can rupture a standard battery.

Does this help?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les VonNordheim on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 12:31 pm:

I prefer the Optima battery because they are sealed and do not leak any acid. Yes, they are more $$'s but I hate the damage caused by leaking acid. Even put them in my motor home and enclosed car trailer. Made me sick what lead acid vented batteries did to my motor home battery storage area and the stain running down my enclosed trailer floor.
Cars on trailers really get bounced around!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Eagle Ida Fls on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 01:06 pm:

It is certainly a choice. I got mine free for letting them use my '15 in a commercial. I always thought it would make a good battery for testing things in the basement. I like that it is cleaner than an acid battery. I don't think I would pay that much for another one. I have bought several acid 6 volts since then.
Rich


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 02:21 pm:

If there is a Tractor Supply store in your area they have them in stock almost all the time.
T's take a Group 1 6 volt battery.
You can also get them at Auto-Zone which is another Auto Supply house that's most everywhere.
The Group 1 6 volt battery was used in a LOT or older cars and tractors. Very common.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 03:29 pm:

The optima 6V can be put on its side, with a low profile under the seat of a speedster, or two and convert to 12V. I can remember when they were only $50.00 or less, my what a change.

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By keith g barrier on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 04:42 pm:

Whatever you do, don't do as I did. Last year I had to replace the batt. on the 24 it had given 6 years of service. I got a new one from tractor supply breaking the rule of checking the date code when purchasing. As would figure, it was past the years warranty which I didn't catch till it went bad a month later. No help from TS so I did the refurbishing trick and it's still go'in good months later. Always check the date code, I knew better but didn't follow my own rule. KB


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 04:45 pm:

WOW! $250 will buy a lot of standard batteries--About five around here. Lead-acid batteries won't leak unless you drive in a ditch or constantly overcharge them. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 06:21 pm:

Batteries have really gone up in price!....... :-(
In September last year I bought a 6V Group 1 battery from Carquest (EXCELLENT batteries by the way) for $78.57 (+ tax of course)......a few weeks ago I needed another for the Model A and it cost a little over $90 (net) and I had to gripe a bit before he lowered the price from ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY $$$........YIKES.
I will never ever again buy a "farm store branded" battery........ever.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Patterson-Nicholasville, Kentucky on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 06:39 pm:

When buying a 6 volt battery anywhere be sure to check the manufacturers date code and, more importantly, take your voltmeter and ensure it reads at least 6.4 volts.
I have great luck with Tractor Supply Exide Commercial Series group 1 batteries.
Ron the Coilman


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Hallett on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 11:33 pm:

I've had great luck with this one, bought it in 99


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 12:13 am:

Ron is correct, it is a good idea to take a voltmeter when battery shopping. However, unless the batter has been just removed or is on some kind of a trickle charger, you will not find one at 6.4 volts. A fully charged 6V battery at 80°F and after setting 8 hrs is 6.32V

Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 01:01 am:

We have a new store here called Batteries Plus. I think they are a nationwide chain. They have 6 volt batteries with more cold crank amps -- I forget how many but I think 800 -- and what I liked, a full two year replacement from the date of purchase. No pro rate, full replacement. I bought two. $75 each. I've put one in an old Chevy truck that hadn't been started for a year or so and the other one in my IHC 300 Utility tractor. I might go back and get another one for one of my old haying tractors. I also put one of their 12 volt ones in my 2007 Dodge pickup. It eats batteries or at least ate the last Interstate I put in it a couple years ago. The Batteries Plus batteries are sold under the Duracell name. I used to buy 6 volt batteries from the local John Deere or Case/IH dealers but they don't carry them anymore because they don't sell enough to keep them current.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Patterson-Nicholasville, Kentucky on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 08:24 am:

Jim
Just went to the shop, it is 72 degrees and checked my six month old and two year 6 volt batteries that were trickle charged two weeks ago and they both read 6.4 volts.
Ron the Coilman


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Grady L Puryear on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 09:29 am:

Back in the days of Company Cars and working for a living, one of the first things I would do when getting a new car (Ford), usually about 9 months, was go to a Ford Dealer and have them install one of their big Ford batteries. They were a special battery, maybe an L(?)pretty big, but handled very well the two way radios and other equipment we had in those cars. I don't think Ford has those anymore, especially since they have downsized the cars so much, but I never had a moments trouble after installation, even with the big 400 CID engines and using the radios almost constantly, such is progress. I had a few GM Company Cars back then. For a time, GM rigged all their cars for a dual battery setup, the trays and etc. were all in place, this was done for the Diesel engines that were available for awhile, again, such is progress. Anyway, I would go to a Dealer and have them install the extra battery, and Viola, I was in business. I carry one of the portable 12 volt batteries with me in my T for jump starting it, works well, and can be used around the place for other stuff.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 12:43 pm:

If I had a warranty claim and they tried to date it based on the manufacture date rather than the purchase date, you can bet I would get satisfaction......or get even. I can cost them a hell of a lot more than the price of that battery! And I wouldn't leave there without them knowing that either.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 01:22 pm:

Ron,
Maybe you meter needs calibrated. A fully charged lead acid cell should be 2.106V at 77°F. 2.106 x 3 cells = 6.32V
Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Patterson-Nicholasville, Kentucky on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 05:15 pm:

Jim
All four??


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration