How long did your expensive repro battery last and what did you replace it with?

[1969chargerrtse]

I've only had my car for 3 years and the repro battery is starting to get weak. I'm torn on throwing in a sears Die Hard, or doing what Chris did by gutting out the shell and putting a smaller battery inside?
What are your thoughts and what did you do?
I don't want to spend another 300+ for this type of battery.

P.S Hey Chris, can you post your link on how you did the battery in a a battery thing?

[mauve66]

i've seen pics of people using the repo housing to slide over the autozone battery but haven't seen it in person.
read somewhere that you could buy just the housing so you wouldn't have to cut open a new battery for it but someone on here said you can't buy the housing any more

[ACUDANUT]

It's just a car Battery...Don't sweat the small details. 
Get a new one.

[1969chargerrtse]

It's just a car Battery...Don't sweat the small details.  
Get a new one.

It's those small details that make the car stand out, and people go "wow" when I lift the hood, that means something to me.  Anyone can go to a parts store and throw in a battery, but one of the things that stood out about the engine compartment was the original looking battery and cables.  I don't mind spending big bucks if I get 7 years out of it like a Die Hard, but 3?
Also, " get a new one".  A new what?  Expensive original type that doesn't last long for big bucks in a hard economy, or just some cheap battery and lose the total original look?

[1969chargerrtse]

i've seen pics of people using the repo housing to slide over the autozone battery but haven't seen it in person.
read somewhere that you could buy just the housing so you wouldn't have to cut open a new battery for it but someone on here said you can't buy the housing any more

The top plate type, or a whole battery box?

[ACUDANUT]

It's just a car Battery...Don't sweat the small details.  
Get a new one.

It's those small details that make the car stand out, and people go "wow" when I lift the hood, that means something to me.  Anyone can go to a parts store and throw in a battery, but one of the things that stood out about the engine compartment was the original looking battery and cables.  I don't mind spending big bucks if I get 7 years out of it like a Die Hard, but 3?
Also, " get a new one".  A new what?  Expensive original type that doesn't last long for big bucks in a hard economy, or just some cheap battery and lose the total original look?

IMO a Battery does not "lose the Look"....Whatever floats your boat.

[pandamarie]

I have a few repo battery boxes that another battery could be put inside and still look original, but they are for 6 volt tar top batteries. Nobody has ever questioned it even at a concourse. They run about 75 last time I bought one. Someone should have one for the Mopars, I just havent found it yet.

[Ghoste]

I wouldn't mind one of those fake tops myself.  I've also found the repro ones don't last worth snot and I too am also one of those people that enjoys the idea of the little details making the difference.

[Troy]

I just don't open the hood - keeps things "mysterious"...

Although, if I knew where to get on of the fake boxes I'd probably get one for at least one of the cars. I wouldn't spend the cash for a repro battery that looks great but doesn't function worth a darn. I drive my cars way too much to deal with that.

Troy

[1969chargerrtse]

I wouldn't mind one of those fake tops myself.  I've also found the repro ones don't last worth snot and I too am also one of those people that enjoys the idea of the little details making the difference.

Hey, I didn't do all that work to keep the hood closed.

Restored engine compartment minus original looking battery. =  

Restored engine compartment with original looking battery and cables.  =   +  

[ACUDANUT]

If a old "Factory Style Battery" floats your boat....More power to you.

[The70RT]

I plan on gettin the optima dry cell...no fuss no muss. I suppose you could get a box or top for it also. They are more then a diehard etc but supposedly last longer

[Charger-Bodie]

So far mine have always lasted at least as long as Ive owned the car!  

[1969chargerrtse]

If a old "Factory Style Battery" floats your boat....More power to you.

It floats me. I just don't care for the high cost and short life. Kinda once ya been there, you don't wanna go back.
Just looking for other ideas and thoughts.

[Charger-Bodie]

I plan on gettin the optima dry cell...no fuss no muss. I suppose you could get a box or top for it also. They are more then a diehard etc but supposedly last longer

The newer repop batteries are supposed to be the same as an optima . The older repops were fill with acid types ,but the ones in the last 5 or so years are way better.



Rob, Did you have to fill yours when you got it?

[Ghoste]

Would the spiral cell stuff fit properly in the old style cases?

[1969chargerrtse]

Brian, Remember back when I asked you and chris a 100 questions a week?
I was gonna get the acid one but you advised me to get the gel Optima type for the extra $ because you redid a GTX or something because of the acid that over flowed on the fender skirt area. No regrets. It's just not lasting long which seems to be normal? From what I'm reading. I hope chris post his thread of how he redid his. I remember him saying cutting into a lead acid battery was not fun.

[Charger-Bodie]

Brian, Remember back when I asked you and chris a 100 questions a week?
I was gonna get the acid one but you advised me to get the gel Optima type for the extra $ because you redid a GTX or something because of the acid that over flowed on the fender skirt area. No regrets. It's just not lasting long which seems to be normal? From what I'm reading. I hope chris post his thread of how he redid his. I remember him saying cutting into a lead acid battery was not fun.

Oh yeah. I remember that now.  The Optima type need to be keep charged all the time . Even an Optima  will not last well if it is allowed to be drain somewhat all the time. These cars dont usually get driven enuf to have a stable charge. You really need something like a tender to get the longest life from the battery.

[1969chargerrtse]

 

Chris?


I know you Have a detailed thread about putting a battery in the repro shell.  Don't make call you at home.

[nvrbdn]

here is something that works, i did it to my golf cart batteries and a car battery and it works great. take a gallon of distilled water and heat on the stove. hot but not boiling. then add 10 tablespoons of epson salt and stir till dissolved. take the acid down in the battery to the cores. add the water to the battery after it has cooled down and charge all night. the epson salt water will dissolve the gunk at the bottom of the battery that makes contact between the cores which is shortening the charge of the battery. when i did it to the golf cart, those 6 batteries ran that thing like new. 2 years now and still running strong. the car battery is in the cougar and it can sit for weeks at a time and whenever you hit the key it starts. try it.

[Charger-Bodie]

here is something that works, i did it to my golf cart batteries and a car battery and it works great. take a gallon of distilled water and heat on the stove. hot but not boiling. then add 10 tablespoons of epson salt and stir till dissolved. take the acid down in the battery to the cores. add the water to the battery after it has cooled down and charge all night. the epson salt water will dissolve the gunk at the bottom of the battery that makes contact between the cores which is shortening the charge of the battery. when i did it to the golf cart, those 6 batteries ran that thing like new. 2 years now and still running strong. the car battery is in the cougar and it can sit for weeks at a time and whenever you hit the key it starts. try it.

These batteries are sealed and the caps are glued on. That process does work well on lead acid batteries though.

[mauve66]

soooo where are you dumping the acid when you

here is something that works, i did it to my golf cart batteries and a car battery and it works great. take a gallon of distilled water and heat on the stove. hot but not boiling. then add 10 tablespoons of epson salt and stir till dissolved. take the acid down in the battery to the cores. add the water to the battery after it has cooled down and charge all night. the epson salt water will dissolve the gunk at the bottom of the battery that makes contact between the cores which is shortening the charge of the battery. when i did it to the golf cart, those 6 batteries ran that thing like new. 2 years now and still running strong. the car battery is in the cougar and it can sit for weeks at a time and whenever you hit the key it starts. try it.
[/quote

[1969chargerrtse]

soooo where are you dumping the acid when you

here is something that works, i did it to my golf cart batteries and a car battery and it works great. take a gallon of distilled water and heat on the stove. hot but not boiling. then add 10 tablespoons of epson salt and stir till dissolved. take the acid down in the battery to the cores. add the water to the battery after it has cooled down and charge all night. the epson salt water will dissolve the gunk at the bottom of the battery that makes contact between the cores which is shortening the charge of the battery. when i did it to the golf cart, those 6 batteries ran that thing like new. 2 years now and still running strong. the car battery is in the cougar and it can sit for weeks at a time and whenever you hit the key it starts. try it.

Oh boy.  

[nvrbdn]

i jar the acid and wait for a low battery on one of the other vehicles.use it with the distelled water to top them back off

[ODZKing]

I agree 1969chargerrtse.  If the car is modified quite a bit then I'd say go with whatever. But when you're sticking close to original the OEM looks the best.  Mine I got from Antique Auto Battery.  It is going on 5 years now and the only issue was last year, over the winter it got weak.  And when I called and asked about the warranty, they said I'd have to send it to them at my expense and they would decide if it was covered.  So if it's not, I was out the shiping and the carkas fo the battery.  There are several places I see in MCG all the time.  The next one I will try is the one in PA, i forget the name right now.
But again, I agree, I believe it dresses up under the hood.