The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Optima 6v batteries and third brush generator

Kurt in NJ · 09-19-2025, 02:26 PM

I have long life with my optima batteries at 14 amp charging rate.
The first one went 16 years,the second one is 10 years so far I think.
I do drive a lot at night and have halogen headlight bulbs.
Never on maintainer.
If i take a100 mile drive the headlights get turned on for part of the drive.
The generator is original to the car (date code matches engine month)and it was the first generator I rebuilt over 50 years ago and just had a bearing failure— the cage of the original bearing came apart and that was the only part replaced.
I think many worry too much about burning up the generator and keep too low of a charge rate for their use.
I would reduce my charging rate for a long daylight trip say doing 3-5 hundred miles per day.

09-19-2025, 02:26 PM	#8
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,675	Re: Optima 6v batteries and third brush generator I have long life with my optima batteries at 14 amp charging rate. The first one went 16 years,the second one is 10 years so far I think. I do drive a lot at night and have halogen headlight bulbs. Never on maintainer. If i take a100 mile drive the headlights get turned on for part of the drive. The generator is original to the car (date code matches engine month)and it was the first generator I rebuilt over 50 years ago and just had a bearing failure— the cage of the original bearing came apart and that was the only part replaced. I think many worry too much about burning up the generator and keep too low of a charge rate for their use. I would reduce my charging rate for a long daylight trip say doing 3-5 hundred miles per day.