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Discussion Topic:
OPTIMA BATTERY ?
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fordv8j |
07-06-2015 @ 4:51 PM
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New Member
Posts: 176
Joined: Jan 2015
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I need a new battery for my 1938 ford..it is 6 volts..is the OPTIMA the way to go???
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cliftford |
07-06-2015 @ 5:51 PM
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Senior
Posts: 845
Joined: Jan 2014
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Yes, no battery lasts forever, but in my opinion they are far and away better than a lead acid battery. They last at least twice as long, do not leak or corrode anound the terminals, stay charged longer when not in use, and just a better battery, especially for our old cars. I have one that is 8 years old and still going strong.
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1934 Ford |
07-06-2015 @ 6:14 PM
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Senior
Posts: 573
Joined: Oct 2009
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Yes to Optima. Just bought one on Amazon.com for $112.97 with free shipping. Came well packed in 3 days.
1934 Ford's since 1972
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trjford8 |
07-06-2015 @ 7:07 PM
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Senior
Posts: 4214
Joined: Oct 2009
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All I use are Optima's. You can also find them at Summit Racing. I had one that lasted 12 years.
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drkbp |
07-06-2015 @ 8:51 PM
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New Member
Posts: 180
Joined: Aug 2010
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I keep hearing folks talk about them but I believe an Optima is too tall to go under the floorboard of my '35 Cabriolet. I've had that one for forty years and it is a fairly tight fit vertically for the big Group 1. Do they make one that will fit without cutting up the stock battery box? Also, do y'all run them with a third brush and cutout? I drive three antique Fords on weekly basis and fail to recall getting less than 36 to 40 months service out of a lead acid battery with the stock 6 volt generator and cutout switch.
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40 Coupe |
07-07-2015 @ 4:21 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1675
Joined: Oct 2009
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drkbp: Yes the one, and only, 6V optima is a bit too tall for the 35-6 Ford original position not to mention too narrow. If you want to use the Optima (good battery) I suggest you add a battery box that will mount the battery slightly lower between the frame members and fordward so the original battery cables can be used. This is the fix and it can be done without adding any additional holes.
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cliftford |
07-07-2015 @ 5:28 AM
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Senior
Posts: 845
Joined: Jan 2014
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In regard tdrkbp's question: Optimas seem to wokk fine on a 3 brush system. I use them in my model T and A, with no problems.If you do a lot of highway driving you may want to set the charging rate fairly low.
This message was edited by cliftford on 7-7-15 @ 5:29 AM
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ford38v8 |
07-07-2015 @ 9:56 AM
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Senior
Posts: 2758
Joined: Oct 2009
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James, good talking with you today, and I'll go along with the others that the Optima is definitely the way to go.
Alan
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JM |
07-07-2015 @ 12:23 PM
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Senior
Posts: 822
Joined: Oct 2009
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I have had an Optima 6V Red Top in my stock '35 since 2010. No problem on three brush system . I do have an electronic regulator cutout made by Fun Projects. I made a battery mount that clamps in a '35-'36 battery box and lowers the Optima ~ 1-1/2" below the inside surface of the stock battery door/cover. This entire mount can be switched back to the original battery mount in ~ 10 minutes. We just put this same Optima mounting system in a '36 Phaeton last Sunday.
John
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VT/JeffH |
07-07-2015 @ 12:36 PM
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New Member
Posts: 153
Joined: May 2010
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Hi, My car ('36 Phaeton) just got it's new battery two days ago. No mods to the car. Uses stock battery cover. I don't care if someone looks under the car to see this battery. JM fabbed up the pieces. The one I got uses all aluminum or stainless so no rusting. The key to the system is the way the new tray is attached. The new tray is pinched at four locations, onto the place where the old battery would rest its weight. Release four bolts that do the pinching, and the lowered tray is out. I'm keeping the square hold-down for the top of the 2LF's, and the Y attachment pieces for it. They're with the car. -VT/JeffH EDIT: Photo is not my car. JM posted this before.
This message was edited by VT/JeffH on 7-7-15 @ 12:37 PM
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