Restoraton batteries - what's the latest?

[bull]

More than six years ago I started a thread with info on restoration batteries, but like everything else things have changed. Back then I was going to be a minimalist and just repair the big stuff to drive it but since then the car has been completely disassembled and is getting close to being finished. So now I'm back to where I was in 06.

Long story short, I'd appreciate any input on restoration batteries from those who've made recent purchases and/or have been running them for a few years. I've found a few sources but they all seem to cost about the same (leading me to believe there's probably only one manufacturer).

Here's my old thread: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10030.0.html

And here are some of the vendors. I think all of them offer AGM sealed maintenance-free batteries now:

These guys offer a four year warranty and free replacement for the first year, which is pretty good, but $270   - http://restorationbattery.com/g27me.html

This place has no warranty or pricing info on the site that I can find - http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/chrysler.html#Dodge

Turbo Start from Summit. $209 - $229 depending on your application. 90-day free replacement and four year warranty overall. Free shipping but they do charge a handling fee of $11.95 - http://www.summitracing.com/search/Make/DODGE/?keyword=Turbo+Start+AGM+Sealed+Maintenance-Free+Restoration+Series

Mancini supposedly has them but they are all out of stock - http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/reba.html

Jack's used to have them but I don't see them on their site anymore - http://www.jacksautoparts.com/catalog/electrical.html

Year One's prices are pure insanity. Even with 20% off it's still laughable - https://yearone.com/Catalog/Show?bid=24&sid=133&ssid=489&pgid=13679

Then, when the resto battery croaks, you do the Odyssey implant. Right Chris?

[bill440rt]

Hey Bull,
I just picked up a new resto battery at Carlisle. Just before Carlisle, I noticed the resto sealed battery in my '68 was leaking around the negative terminal. It was a non-AGM battery, but one with the sealed caps. It was probably 5-6 years old. It held a charge fine, but just started seeping so a replacement was in order. I have a second one of these in my other car, same age battery, which is holding up fine still.
Price was $255 on the new replacement (neg swap meet price  ), a sealed AGM style. First thing I noticed was how much lighter it was than my old one. I got it from this vendor:
http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/

They specify a max charge rate of no more than 15 amps. They said not to use a Battery Tender on it during storage, as it will not get a "deep charge" as it's supposed to. It thought this was strange, so I hopped over to the Battery Tender booth where they said it would be just fine (their manual also states it is AGM battery compatible). I also have an adjustable battery charger with a 2 amp setting with an auto shutdown, the battery vendor said this was acceptable to use.

Warranty is in full for the first year, then pro-rated after that for the next 4 years.
Bottom line is that with proper maintenance they should last a long time.
I may just sell off my old one to someone who is looking to do a conversion like Chris did.

Hope that helps some. 

[ODZKing]

I will tell you (hopefully) a short story about Antique Auto Battery.
I purchased one in 07 for my 67. Ordered it and picked up at Carlisle.  Put it in right on the field.
It came with the "warning" as well ... no tender/trickle chargers etc.
After 2 winters it was, not dead but weak.  I called and asked about the warranty on it.  I was told, "YOU have to send it back" to them before they will do anything. Once examined THEY will determine if it is under warranty.
So in the meantime, I would have no battery, and the cost to ship is rediculous, especially since it is "hazardous" material.
So, I figure ... if it's bad, what the hey, I've eaten this.
Can't make it worse, so I put a trickle charge on it.  $5.95 at Harbor Freight.
Works fine, has ever since ... and I have put a charge on it on every winter since.

[ODZKing]

Oh and I spoke to a fellow at Carlisle named Mike Clayton.  Owner of Little Detroit Restorations.
His batteries are not gel but a newer technology. Apparently there is something out there now that is better than the gel and lasts longer for the same price or less.  He explained about the strips inside and how it works etc.
http://www.littledetroitrestorations.com/
$249 plus shipping or pick up at Carlisle naturally.
He mentioned he gets them from Turbo Start/Axion and their price is $229, for same.
They will be at the Nationals here in Syracuse next weekend.  Maybe I will pick one up from them.

[bill440rt]

I will tell you (hopefully) a short story about Antique Auto Battery.
I purchased one in 07 for my 67. Ordered it and picked up at Carlisle.  Put it in right on the field.
It came with the "warning" as well ... no tender/trickle chargers etc.
After 2 winters it was, not dead but weak.  I called and asked about the warranty on it.  I was told, "YOU have to send it back" to them before they will do anything. Once examined THEY will determine if it is under warranty.
So in the meantime, I would have no battery, and the cost to ship is rediculous, especially since it is "hazardous" material.
So, I figure ... if it's bad, what the hey, I've eaten this.
Can't make it worse, so I put a trickle charge on it.  $5.95 at Harbor Freight.
Works fine, has ever since ... and I have put a charge on it on every winter since.

Hey, thanks for the info ODZ!
Turns out I wasn't the first to inquire at the Battery Tender booth. They said get asked that all the time & they were wondering why the people at AAB keep telling their customers this. I think I might know why. Inside the box was a little advertisement about the battery charger they "recommend", and as it turns out they are also the seller of them! Sales ploy? Possibly.
I've used the Tender on my other batteries for the past two seasons, their always fully charged.
Sorry to hijack, Bull. 
Carry on...

[mauve66]

to get a "correct" shell do you have to buy and use on up or can you just buy the plastic shell??

[bull]

to get a "correct" shell do you have to buy and use on up or can you just buy the plastic shell??

In my old thread someone mentioned that Paddock sold a battery cover that looked correct, but you had to find the right sized battery and do some touch up work to make it look right. I went to the Paddock site last night to look for this cover and not only did I not find it but the Paddock site looked a lot different than I remember it looking. Not sure what they were charging for the cover but I have to think it would have to be pretty inexpensive to make it worth the trouble to buy both it and a decent battery and do the work to make it look right.

From what I've seen the resto battery prices have come down enough and the quality has improved enough to the point it's probably not worth messing with a cover. Granted the resto batteries are still a good $50-$75 more than a regular high-end battery but in most cases you just drop it in, bolt it up and go. And they look correct, right out of the box.

[Ghoste]

We have a warehouse full of cars from every era and a great many of them have orginal style batteries on them and we trickle charge each one of them on a regular basis.  Everything from million dollar Duesenbergs to late model Vipers.  Personally I think AAB are just trying to sell their own special tender.

[bull]

We have a warehouse full of cars from every era and a great many of them have orginal style batteries on them and we trickle charge each one of them on a regular basis.  Everything from million dollar Duesenbergs to late model Vipers.  Personally I think AAB are just trying to sell their own special tender.

We? Do tell.

[A383Wing]

I got 2 of the battery tenders from Harbor Freight...have one connected to a car, and then ran a jumper cable made from extension cord wire to another car...so both tenders keep 2 cars each charged

Bryan