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LUCAS 17L Batteries for Healey 100s

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R

Rmoment

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Reproductions of the LUCAS 17L 6-volt batteries used in Healey 100s are now available again, after a 4-year absence. Jim Irwin, the new owner of Jim’s Battery Manufacturing Co. (previously the Antique Battery Mfg. Co.), is now taking orders for this size battery. It has a 6-volt maintenance-free battery (you never need to add water or acid) contained inside the reproduction LUCAS 17L case that had been available since the 1990s. It has the LUCAS fill caps (which are now just for show), but if you remove the end ones you’ll see cable connections to the internal battery. Holes at the ends of the top are for original mounting hold-down hardware.

Contact information for ordering is:



https://jimsbatterymfg.com/

When calling, I suggest you select option #3 from the phone menu.

Roger
17 L - 2 July 2019.jpg 17L July 2019.jpg
 
That is very good news, Roger, thanks for posting. I tried to order a couple 17Ls from AAB a while ago but they weren't responsive; ended up with some 17Hs which, as you probably know, just barely fit under the cover. Any idea what the CCA for these is?
 
Bob_Spidell said:
That is very good news, Roger, thanks for posting. I tried to order a couple 17Ls from AAB a while ago but they weren't responsive; ended up with some 17Hs which, as you probably know, just barely fit under the cover. Any idea what the CCA for these is?
Click to expand...

I don't know that number. However, Jim told me that you can use a maintenance charger with them (not to exceed 8v on a 6v battery; but you can use a 12v charger with the two in series in a Healey 100). I use a Battery Miinder -- https://www.batteryminders.com/12-volt-maintenance-charger-desfulator-1500. This will maintain the voltage, but if you store for over a month without driving you should turn on the headlights for 10 minutes or so (engine off) to draw down the battery and then reconnect to the charger. This periodic cycling will keep the amp-hour capacity up, which would deteriorate if just left on the maintenance charger without cycling. He said the batteries should be good for 8 years, or so, with this technique. If you drive the car regularly you don't need to go through this routine.

It also is possible to use the 17H batteries, but you need to just be careful that they are held down using proper rods -- original mounting hardware -- and have the Armacord pad on the underside of the battery door. With this installation, there should be a gap of about 3/8" between the "-" terminal of the RH battery and the underside of the Armacord, which is plenty to avoid any chance of shorting. Back in the '70s I used Interstate 17H batteries for years without ever having a short.
 
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