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Discussion Topic:
Quick Startin Question
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Dream38v8 |
07-23-2017 @ 2:34 PM
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New Member
Posts: 178
Joined: May 2016
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As I stated in my previous post the original battery was bad. The Optima also ran down. Started checking for shorts. Turns out I had the electric fuel pump and instrument panel light switches on. We also tracked down a bad interior light switch and cutout. I've labeled the switches, replaced the interior light switch and the cutout. The new cutout is a modern voltage regulator (looks like a cutout) from Joe's Antique Auto Parts. The car is running great and the battery is staying charged. Thanks to everyone for your post assistance.
Ray
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41fatty |
07-13-2017 @ 10:54 PM
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Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Jul 2012
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Optimas can be placed in the Ford script battery cases with a little time and patience.
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41fatty |
07-13-2017 @ 10:51 PM
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Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Jul 2012
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Optimas can be placed inside the original Ford battery case with a little time and patience.
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TomO |
07-13-2017 @ 9:34 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7256
Joined: Oct 2009
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To check for a short, disconnect the NEG battery cable and connect a test light alligator clip to the cable and probe the battery terminal with the test light point. if the light glows, you have a short. Disconnect and label wires and one at a time until the light does not glow. Repair the short and start reconnecting the wires watching the test light to make sure that you do not have any more shorts. If you still have the 3 brush generator, the cutout may be stuck, so I would start with removing the wire from the cutout first. If your cutout is bad, consider replacing it with a solid state voltage regulator from Fun Projects. http://www.funprojects.com/search.aspx?querystr=1938&querytype=year
Tom
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Dream38v8 |
07-13-2017 @ 8:58 AM
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New Member
Posts: 178
Joined: May 2016
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Turns out it was the battery, but a short drained the battery. The Optima is great, but I can not locate the short. I have narrowed it down to the cutoff I believe. As the car is running the cutoff voltage is jumping up to +18v or more. Is this the issue?
Ray
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supereal |
07-06-2017 @ 12:43 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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I have used Optima's for many years. They lasted at least seven years, and would still start after months of sitting. We constructed a wooden box to accommodate both the battery tray and hold down. The battery sits cross from corner to corner in the box with the posts out of the top. Painted black, with three caps on the top, very few have noticed it. Be sure to include a vent on the back side of the box to allow any gasses to escape.
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cliftford |
07-06-2017 @ 7:00 AM
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Senior
Posts: 845
Joined: Jan 2014
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Robert/Texas is exactly right. Optimas are far and away better than anything else available. And as he says, you shouldn't need a charger/maintainer. I leave mine in my cars through the winter and they always stay charged.
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TomO |
07-06-2017 @ 6:29 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7256
Joined: Oct 2009
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I have been getting about 8 years from the Optima in my 1940. The one in my Lincoln died after 5 years, but I had a short that was draining the battery and finally killed it. A trickle charger can damage a battery by overcharging it. If you would like to use one over the winter put it on a 7 day timer and allow it to charge for 2 hours a week. Tom
This message was edited by TomO on 7-6-17 @ 6:31 AM
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Robert/Texas |
07-05-2017 @ 12:45 PM
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New Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Dec 2009
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I have 6-volt Optima batteries in 2 Model A's 1 Model T and a 12-volt Optima in my '34 roadster. the 6-volt batteries seem to crank the engines a little faster and they are lighter than the normal group 1 batteries. Best of all they seem too last much longer and hold charges longer without using trickle chargers. The problem is that they are really ugly and a bit expensive.
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Dream38v8 |
07-05-2017 @ 11:22 AM
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New Member
Posts: 178
Joined: May 2016
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Well it turns out the problem was the battery. I also will checkout the charger. I am contemplating getting a Optima battery. Any positive comments.
Ray
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