Replace Repo Batteries ?

[Charger_Dart]

I bought the Mopar reproduction batteries for my Charger & Dart in 2004. I can't remember if they were the TurboStart ones or not, but they look like the ones they make today. Well they both have worked well for the last 7+ years, but now when I check them with a load tester the amps are down a little from where they used to be. Both cars have the lower draw mini starters and no electric changes except for electronic ignition so they spin the engine and all pretty good.

I wonder what the realistic lifespan is on these?

I would really appreciate some feedback on whether or not I should replace them - $438 for both is a lot to spend if not needed.   

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I got almost 7 & a half years out of my acid filled repro battery before I gutted it & swapped in a smaller battery.

She still held a charge but was getting slow on cranking and after a few weeks of sitting would be dead....

[Charger_Dart]

Thanks for the info.    I kind of thought 7 years might be pushing it on these batteries.

[1969chargerrtse]

Mine was the expensive gel type repro.  After only 3 years it was weak.  I found out using a trickle charger is a huge battery life extender.  Even though it was getting weak, since I put a cheap 7.00 eBay charger on it, it's been hanging in there.  You can see the Battery on my engine shot avatar.  Chris has a awesome link of how he gutted the battery and but a smaller battery in the old battery shell.

[gtx6970]

between me and 2 friends of mine we bought 3 of the acid batteries at the Mopar Nats one year,,,, ----- NONE of the 3 lasted more than 2 years. I'll never buy another one

[471_Magnum]

The new AGM (absorbed glass mat) reproductions should do much better than the older flooded cell type. Not sure when Turbo Start introduced this type.

[Brads70]

If someone has a DOA repo battery I'd be interested in it? I'm wanting to gut it and hide my MSD box inside it and move the live battery to the trunk. PM me if anyone has a dead one?
Thanks Brad

[bull]

I got almost 7 & a half years out of my acid filled repro battery before I gutted it & swapped in a smaller battery.

She still held a charge but was getting slow on cranking and after a few weeks of sitting would be dead....

Where's your Odyssey swap thread?

[68neverlate]

I love the look of the original style batteries... any more comments on what's good, bad or ugly and what type/which ones are better than the others?  Any direction on where best to get one (value for dollar)?

If I can get 7 years out of one for a couple of hundred bucks, I'd grab one in a heartbeat...     

[Charger_Dart]

I got almost 7 & a half years out of my acid filled repro battery before I gutted it & swapped in a smaller battery.

She still held a charge but was getting slow on cranking and after a few weeks of sitting would be dead....

Where's your Odyssey swap thread?

X2

[Charger_Dart]

I finally uncovered where I bought the batteries back in 2004. It was from a company called Vintage Battery, but I don't think they are around any longer. Most likely my older batteries are the flooded type. I have put a trickle charger on them, when I can remember, during the winter months over the years.  Like 471 mentioned, the new reproduction ones seem to be the AGM type which I hear is a better design. Heck, I would be happy if the newer ones get me another 7 years. 

[Hemidog]

I got almost 7 & a half years out of my acid filled repro battery before I gutted it & swapped in a smaller battery.

She still held a charge but was getting slow on cranking and after a few weeks of sitting would be dead....

Where's your Odyssey swap thread?

X2

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,28459.0.html

[68 RT]

I have had an repo agm in my car for about 8 years no problems. It is always on the trickle charger.

[41husk]

New castle battery sold them years ago and went out of business.  I keep a Deltran Batery tender on all my cars.

[471_Magnum]

Timely post. I drove my RR today and the battery died.

Been chasing some weird electrical issues. Battery has been charging at really high voltage. Checked some grounds and installed a new voltage regulator. Thought the problem was fixed. No starting issues, so I didn't suspect the battery.

Drove the car to work this morning and all seemed fine. Jumped in to come home and the motor turned over half a revolution and stopped. Keyed it again and it started. Noticed my radio presets had vanished. Hmmm. Made it home with no obvious issue. Tried restart in my garage and got nothing but a click.

Checked the battery voltage and it drops to about 5 V when I key the switch. Popped a vent cap and it wreaked of sulfur.

Guess I'm in the market for one of those repro batteries.  

[y3chargerrt]

Make sure you get a sealed AGM type!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/66-68-Mopar-Group-27-AGM-Sealed-Classic-Battery-960-CCA-/120805926131?hash=item1c209824f3&item=120805926131&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

[471_Magnum]

Make sure you get a sealed AGM type!

I thought I already covered that.

Actually, I might go with a $100 parts store battery and get me one of these:
http://www.batterytoppers.com/products/

[DAY CLONA]

The new AGM (absorbed glass mat) reproductions should do much better than the older flooded cell type. Not sure when Turbo Start introduced this type.

IIRC they started hitting the market in late 2002-3...I bought one in 2004, still going stong (8 years) I don't use no battery tenders or trickle charger, no need for charging during storage at all, I do disconnect for winter storage, about 4 months,....starts all the time with no charging assist of any kind


Mike

[Charger_Dart]

I looked around for a source on reproduction batteries and found Fred Gilmore was recommended on moparts. Within a few days I had my batteries for the best price I could find anywhere. The batteries are the TurboStart brand and look very nice. He also followed up with me to make sure they were as expected. What more can you ask for?  I wanted to give him a good guy thumbs up. 
fgilmore@speednet.com