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Discussion Topic:
Starting a 1940 ford coupe
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TomO |
05-21-2014 @ 7:49 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7256
Joined: Oct 2009
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Optima batteries have been known to last more than 8 years, but after 6 years on any automobile battery, you are living on borrowed time. Go to Amazon and buy a new Optima and enjoy the 40 Ford Coupe.
Tom
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40guy |
05-20-2014 @ 10:39 AM
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Member
Posts: 270
Joined: Oct 2009
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You're right it is a battery tender. I do believe it is time for a new battery. This red top Optima has been in this 40 coupe for about 8 years.
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39topless |
05-19-2014 @ 9:21 PM
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Member
Posts: 77
Joined: Feb 2013
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Looks like your girl friend's family picked a good steward for the '40. Keep coming back to this forum for help as you need it. Unlike me, there are a lot of guys here that actually know what they're talking about. Good luck, Phil
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deluxe40 |
05-19-2014 @ 7:28 PM
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Member
Posts: 413
Joined: Oct 2009
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I have two cars with 6v red-top Optima batteries. Both just required new batteries after seven years of service. This was the third Optima for the '40 coupe. The first one also lasted seven years. You might be able to get a few more starts out of the old battery, but you have to charge it for 24 hours at no more than 2 amps. It sounds to me like you might be hooking up a battery tender (mine has a flashing light) which might be confused by the characteristics of the Optima. That said, it would still be wise to buy a new Optima to save grief later.
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40guy |
05-19-2014 @ 6:12 PM
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Member
Posts: 270
Joined: Oct 2009
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It's not a state of denial. The car owner just passed away 3 weeks ago and it's left up to me to keep this car going like it should and I just want to make the best decisions. I am young and I don't know that much about antique cars but I am willing to learn. It was my girlfriends daddy's car that he completely restored so it is very special to me and sentimental. Thanks for the help.
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39topless |
05-19-2014 @ 4:06 PM
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Member
Posts: 77
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You must live in the state of Denial. CPR on your battery ain't gonna do it. You need to just let it go. It'll be ok, man. All things come to an end. Go buy a new battery !!!!!!
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TomO |
05-19-2014 @ 3:03 PM
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Senior
Posts: 7256
Joined: Oct 2009
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Is the strage light on the charger? you will have to look in the charger manual for the reason.
Tom
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40guy |
05-18-2014 @ 11:29 AM
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Member
Posts: 270
Joined: Oct 2009
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I have put the battery on the charger and within about 10 minutes the storage light will begin to blink. What does that mean?
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TomO |
05-18-2014 @ 6:06 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7256
Joined: Oct 2009
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Did you charge the battery on a slow charge for 12 hours before you did the load test? If you did, then the battery is bad. You cannot tell if a battery is bad, until you have tried to charge it. Your test shows a dead battery, it could be because it will not take a charge, but you will not know until you try to charge it.
Tom
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supereal |
05-18-2014 @ 5:29 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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If the Optima was rapidly charged, it will not hold a charge. You can get the proper info on their web site. Glass mat batteries are great, particularly in old cars, but can easily be ruined if handled like the common lead-acid type. Fast charging will shorten the life of the Optima, if it doesn't kill it altogether.
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