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The Great Battery Chase

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Old and In the Way

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Thought I'd ask for opinions before I end up spending more money. I had my '71 B/GT on stands for 6 mos. and foolishly neglected to disconnect the (6 volt) batteries. Of course, when I put it on the ground, the batteries were flat and one wouldn't take a charge. I replaced the weak one, but the guy at the battery place told me to replace them both. Said the new one would just pull the old one down and I still wouldn't have 12 v. Turns out he was probably right. But I jumped it off from the Jeep and drove about 35 mi. Now I've bought another new bat., and have it on charge. Question is: Did I trash the first new bat. by running it with the weak one? I don't want to put the new one in just to find out I'm going to have to replace them both. Thanks for your help.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Old and In the Way:
Question is: Did I trash the first new bat. by running it with the weak one?<hr></blockquote>

Not very likely.
D
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dave Russell:


Not very likely.
D<hr></blockquote>

ditto
 
If you drag any lead acid battery down to where it doesn't turn the starter, you are reducing the capacity slightly and shortening the life.
When I bought my '72 "B", the previous owner had replaced the two batteries with one 12v and had it in the trunk. The next time I replaced it, I found one that would fit down in one of the 6V holes and have been running it that way ever since. It is far more economical to go with a 12V rather than the two 6's in my opinion. Then you don't have to worry about the problem you are facing now.
Bob

[ 01-13-2004: Message edited by: mrbassman ]</p>
 
Thanks for the responses. Irrational fear, I guess. Wanted to stick with the 6 volts for originality. But it may be more trouble than it's worth. I understand that only one company in the US is making 6 v. batteries that really fit a 'B.' The newest one came from UK via Victoria, and was $10 cheaper than the catalog price they listed. We'll find out what happens this weekend.
 
If you are going to be working on your car this weekend why don't I come by and say hello.

E-mail me a kiehna@bellsouth.net if you would like to get together.

Also, our monthly British Car Club meeting is this monday night (6:30 P.M.) at Colleta's Italian Restaurant on Appling Rd in Bartlett.

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The new 6v batteries I get from Moss are cheaper than I can buy locally, even with all the old 6v tractors running around here. Go figure.
There is a catch. Lucas batteries are pre-drilled for the lead head cable, the no name ones are not.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by chris roop:
The new 6v batteries I get from Moss are cheaper than I can buy locally, even with all the old 6v tractors running around here. Go figure.
There is a catch. Lucas batteries are pre-drilled for the lead head cable, the no name ones are not.<hr></blockquote>

Most of the old tractors around here are being converted to 12V.
 
not to mention by putting in a single 12 volt it's nice to put a little extra weight on that side of the car that is empty or holds someone weighing less than I do.

While you are doing it, if you haven't, I highly recommend a battery shut-off switch...the $15 kind from a local auto shop....not Moss "Racing Cutoff Switch" at $70-80 (don't ask me how I know it's not needed...it really is for racing for which it is a smart thing). Makes working on the car electricals very convenient and shutting the battery off from possible drain sources easier. Also...bit of a theft deterrent as well. Mounted mine on the vertical (almost) wall behind the passenger seat where I can reach it easily if there is ever an electrical fire. Wish I had done it MUCH sooner. Would have eliminated one small wire fire and subsequent repair project and made my car work safer in the process. Always a pain to pull the carpet, battery cover, get out the wrench and pull cable off.
 
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