Battery Recommendations

[mxp01]

All:


Can you share your recommendation(s) regarding a battery for your vintage Spridget? i'm looking at buying a vintage battery, like the one sold be Moss, but am looking for recommendations and suggestions. Does one work better than another? Are vintage batteries reliable? Is there a difference between the 6 and 12 volt options?


I realize this is a purely cosmetic option, so I'm mulling it over. Any input would be appreciated.


Mike

 

[SaxMan]

I have a Kirkland battery from Costco that came with the car when I purchased it three years ago. I'm not sure if Larry (longbridgehealey) put this in the car, or if the owner before him purchased it. In any case, it's never faltered at all, even when the car has not been run for two weeks. If the car is going to sit for longer than 14 days, like during its winter overhauls, I disconnect the negative terminal. Once I reconnect it, the car fires right back up, and that is without a trickle charger during the off times. I think the longest the car has sat without being started is about four or five weeks. If you're looking for something reliable, this is a good one. If you're going for the vintage look, this is not it.

I am curious if the vintage batteries require that they be refilled with distilled water on a periodic basis. I remember my Dad doing that with the batteries on the old cars that we had. There was even a battery tester that looked like a turkey baster that could tell you the health of the battery by the way the little balls floated in the water. I think he was quite thankful when maintenance-free batteries came along.

 

[AngliaGT]

I think that he's looking for a battery that looks
like the original.
If not,I used a Miata spec battery,& works great.

 

[Desert Rat]

I've heard good things about Antique Auto Battery. As far as reliability, these are new batteries in a vintage style case, inside there isn't much difference between them and a battery at any auto parts store. I'm using one from AutoZone and it does the job just fine.

https://www.antiqueautobattery.com/index.html

 

[mxp01]

Yes, I am looking for a vintage battery to reflect the vintage of the car. Moss sells a tar top battery (459-400)and mentions a 6 volt and 12 volt variant. I emailed antique auto battery and they said they do not have a 12 volt battery available for a Sprite. That is why I am curious about the 6/12 volt variation. Also, there are some 10 year old posts that indicated some problems with vintage batteries. I'm trying to determine if a 6 volt system works with the car, if a 6 volt system is too weak, and if anyone has experience with these vintage-type batteries to see if they are a headache or not.

 

[JPSmit]

Yes, I am looking for a vintage battery to reflect the vintage of the car. Moss sells a tar top battery (459-400)and mentions a 6 volt and 12 volt variant. I emailed antique auto battery and they said they do not have a 12 volt battery available for a Sprite. That is why I am curious about the 6/12 volt variation. Also, there are some 10 year old posts that indicated some problems with vintage batteries. I'm trying to determine if a 6 volt system works with the car, if a 6 volt system is too weak, and if anyone has experience with these vintage-type batteries to see if they are a headache or not.

MGB used two 6 volt batteries in series. There is no 12V Spridget variant - 12 volt it needs to be

 

[markberry]

I have a Kirkland battery from Costco that came with the car when I purchased it three years ago. I'm not sure if Larry (longbridgehealey) put this in the car, or if the owner before him purchased it. In any case, it's never faltered at all, even when the car has not been run for two weeks. If the car is going to sit for longer than 14 days, like during its winter overhauls, I disconnect the negative terminal. Once I reconnect it, the car fires right back up, and that is without a trickle charger during the off times. I think the longest the car has sat without being started is about four or five weeks. If you're looking for something reliable, this is a good one. If you're going for the vintage look, this is not it.

I am curious if the vintage batteries require that they be refilled with distilled water on a periodic basis. I remember my Dad doing that with the batteries on the old cars that we had. There was even a battery tester that looked like a turkey baster that could tell you the health of the battery by the way the little balls floated in the water. I think he was quite thankful when maintenance-free batteries came along.

i have an even better story: I removed my Excell battery from the car nine years ago and put it on a wood shelf in my garage while I restored the car. When it came time this spring to put a battery in the car I thought I'd give it a try; so I removed the cell caps and filled the battery with deionized water and put it on a slow charge for several days. That battery has been in the car all year without a single hiccup! Everything I've read indicates that shouldn't be the case. Of note, my car is positive ground, which I've read was originally adopted to extend battery life. maybe that has something to do with it.
mark