Battery Suggestion
 

The Optima 6-volt battery in my '37 Ford is located in a disguise case and is at least 15 years old. It died and I would like to replace it with a wet-cell battery. It previously had a taller wet-cell battery, so it has the longer rods required for this. What size/brand battery should I buy? All suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks, Robert.

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15 years out of a 6volt Optima. Why would you want anything else?? I don’t believe there is a 6 volt that has 800cca other than Optima. I have one that is 18 years old. The only choice for me.

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The Optima you buy today is not of the same quality as one bought 15-18 years ago

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There is this option, I have no dealings with this company so I don’t know their reputation.

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The last one I bought was a Napa 6years ago and still excellent. It’s a little taller than I wanted but couldn’t find the correct size for my 39.

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Interesting. But also AGM. About a $100ish more than the Optima. May package better.

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I was running Auto Zone 6-volt batteries in my 42,46 and 48 Fords. I couldn't get them to hold a charge for any extended period of time. They also didn't do well on a hot start if the cars were driven 5-10 miles. I tried a NAPA battery thinking it probably wouldn't be any worse. Vast improvement. I ended up changing all three cars to the NAPA battery.

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Why do you want to replace it. It's hard to beat an optima battery. Like you I have mine in a disguise case. It's the only battery I've found that will turn over my engine.

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I'd still try N A P A, or Rural King as they have a good selection of tractor batteries. Have had good luck with both

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Yeah, what you are paying Battery Central for is that battery case, a very nice reproduction. And while what's inside that case is an AGM battery, they never say it is Optima brand. Which doesn't mean it is inferior. Who knows, may be better than today's Optima.

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Just my experience, but every reproduction battery I have ever purchased has been an over-priced inferior piece that died in the first couple of years. I'm with everyone else who asks why you want to change the Optima? I've had three of them in my '51 over the last 30-some years with no problems. The previous one from the car is still soldiering on in my test stand. About the quality of the current units : I heard they had some problems when they moved their operation to Mexico 20 years ago. They addressed them and I know of no deficiencies with the current batteries. I have also found NAPA to be a good current source. Keep it, especially since you already have the faux case.

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Didn’t he say the Optima died? He said “It died and I want to replace it with a wet cell.” That’s why he wants to replace the Optima.

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I would think that the fact that the Optima "is at least 15 years old" indicates that it has given excellent service, certainly much better than than the average wet cell. The question is not should he replace it, but why change to something else?

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If you live near a Rural King, you can get a conventional battery for 1/3rd the price of an Optima that will last five years, maybe more, so why spend the money upfront? Especially when the next one is likely not to last 15 years.

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I have purchased several Rural King batteries, the oldest being 11 years old. It is in my New Holland skid steer and working fine.

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800 cca.

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You could start three engines at once with that amount of power, it's way more than these cars need. What do you think people did before they had Optimas?

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And just exactly where did you get this information from ? More than likely sour grapes and rumors spread by USA factory workers because manufacture went too Mexico . The batteries height was made a little higher some years ago to accomadate the heavier duty internal connector straps. I have used optima for many years and found they are the best. Ive had 18 years out of one optima and at least 10 to twelve years service from all others. I worked for an emergency service workshop (fire brigade) for 34 years and optima was the battery we used because it was the best for heavy duty service. I have one 6 volt in my original 1934 Ford for eleven years now. As for price you people in the USA have the best deals,, try buying anything in Australia. Regards, Kevin.

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I'm going with the Optima. I bought one three years ago and set it on the running board of my Moiled A to install. Then I had a stroke. It's been sitting there ever since. I checked it and it still has a full charge. No liquid filled battery would have ever survived. Regular batteries y don't do well when they are not regularly used and charged. I maintained a fleet of 400 vehicles for 30 years. I can't imagine how many batteries I replaced over the years, Vehicles with new batteries that set for around for a year without use usually did not come back to life, they would not hold a charge. The extra cost of an Optima is well woth it for a collector car that doesn't get used that often. I have a 66 GT-350, I would not want to put a Optima in the Shelby because it's in plain sight with the hood open but it's perfect for a Model A where its under the floor board.

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Many thanks for all of your suggestions. I heard some time ago that the Mexican Optima batteries didn't last well but I'm glad to hear that they now do. I now plan to replace my old one for a new Optima and hope that I can salvage the disguise case. The car resides in my country place 95 miles from here and it will be a while until I'm able to get there.

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I had many Optima batteries go well over 10 years and worried about the quality when they moved production to Mexico.

The most recent Optima battery I bought was in 2017, made in Mexico and is still going strong.

Good luck with your car!

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I've posted this before :

"Johnson Controls moved their Optima manufacturing to Mexico about 20 years ago. They had some initial problems but everything has been fine since. One of their VP's was on the H.A.M.B. at the time and kept us apprised of what was going on. I was impressed at how they handled it."

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Been there, did that. But that was in the 1970s, now that I'm in the '70s I'm not sure if I'm interested in doing that or that I still can.

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Thanks again to all of you. I just got to my country place and removed the Optima battery in the disguise case. The case is in good condition, so I plan to buy a new Optima 6-volt battery to replace it. I'm 91 now so it might well survive me.

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I just got the Optima battery yesterday from Amazon, just under $288 including Texas sales tax. My wife and I installed it and the engine which hasn't been running for 6 months or so fired right up. The tank had several gallons of e-free in it and I'm sure that helped. We took it on about a 3-mile ride looking for deer but only saw 3. It's hunting season here and they're always wary this time of year.

Thanks again for your help and encouragement.