The Ford Barn

fredski53 · 02-25-2019, 07:11 AM

Morning all, question, what size battery, length,width,height fits best in a 1930 A? The 12 volt I have now sets very low in the battery box. This makes the hold downs not fit right. Just wondering what most use for a 12 volt battery.

Jim/GA · 02-25-2019, 11:36 AM

Put a spacer under the battery to raise it up and you'll be fine. A wooden block works.

Some batteries are sold with a plastic frame on the top of them that can be placed under the battery for extra height. Visit a battery sales store and see what they might have laying around that you can use to raise the battery.

Joe K · 02-25-2019, 11:55 AM

Wood block would have the downside of getting wet and staying wet and rotting out your battery bracket. Maybe better would be Azek (plastic wood?)

But even this would have the downside of presenting a "crevice" into which water could enter and stay and STILL rot out the battery bracket? But maybe no worse than the plastic case of the battery?

Of course new brackets can be bought. The repro on this is "acceptable" for a driver, differing primarily in how the studs are attached to the bracket (originals were swage/riveted, repops are welded IIRC.)

Nothing is forever.

Joe K

eagle · 02-25-2019, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe K

Wood block would have the downside of getting wet and staying wet and rotting out your battery bracket. Maybe better would be Azek (plastic wood?)

But even this would have the downside of presenting a "crevice" into which water could enter and stay and STILL rot out the battery bracket? But maybe no worse than the plastic case of the battery?

Of course new brackets can be bought. The repro on this is "acceptable" for a driver, differing primarily in how the studs are attached to the bracket (originals were swage/riveted, repops are welded IIRC.)

Nothing is forever.

Joe K

A battery box with a battery in it will rust. Needs to be cleaned properly and repainted periodically anyway. I don't think a board is going to make much of a difference, maybe don't use treated lumber. Otherwise just measure the size of battery you want, go to a farm store and look for a battery that fits. Fleet Farm has many sizes.

CarlG · 02-25-2019, 02:17 PM

6 volt = Group 1
12 volt = Group 25

fredski53 · 02-27-2019, 01:55 AM

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Ok, thanks for the ideas! I have installed a few pieces of plywood, I was just wondering what other owners were using.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-27-2019, 06:27 AM

Whistle up your Tea Kettle & pour boiling water on the battery, to clean off the corrosion & its' box.
Bill Shiney

The Master Cylinder · 02-27-2019, 11:45 AM

I use a Group 25 12v battery (https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli25). For corrosion I use a Acid Neutralizing Mat (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and anti-corrosion washers on the posts (https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Anti-...EY9BHG5FFJDFZQ).

Tom Wesenberg · 02-27-2019, 01:06 PM

Visit your local auto junkyard. Some of the MoPar cars of the 80's or 90's used a plastic grate style spacer under the battery. Also many batteries used a plastic tray with a shallow lip to catch any battery acid. This should help save the life of the Model A battery holder.

02-25-2019, 07:11 AM	#1
fredski53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Porte, IN Posts: 143	Battery size Morning all, question, what size battery, length,width,height fits best in a 1930 A? The 12 volt I have now sets very low in the battery box. This makes the hold downs not fit right. Just wondering what most use for a 12 volt battery.

02-25-2019, 11:36 AM	#2
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,821	Re: Battery size Put a spacer under the battery to raise it up and you'll be fine. A wooden block works. Some batteries are sold with a plastic frame on the top of them that can be placed under the battery for extra height. Visit a battery sales store and see what they might have laying around that you can use to raise the battery. __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!"

02-25-2019, 11:55 AM	#3
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Battery size Wood block would have the downside of getting wet and staying wet and rotting out your battery bracket. Maybe better would be Azek (plastic wood?) But even this would have the downside of presenting a "crevice" into which water could enter and stay and STILL rot out the battery bracket? But maybe no worse than the plastic case of the battery? Of course new brackets can be bought. The repro on this is "acceptable" for a driver, differing primarily in how the studs are attached to the bracket (originals were swage/riveted, repops are welded IIRC.) Nothing is forever. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

02-25-2019, 02:17 PM	#5
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Battery size 6 volt = Group 1 12 volt = Group 25 __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

02-27-2019, 01:55 AM	#6
fredski53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Porte, IN Posts: 143	Re: Battery size Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ok, thanks for the ideas! I have installed a few pieces of plywood, I was just wondering what other owners were using.

02-27-2019, 06:27 AM	#7
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Battery size Whistle up your Tea Kettle & pour boiling water on the battery, to clean off the corrosion & its' box. Bill Shiney __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-27-2019, 11:45 AM	#8
The Master Cylinder Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 884	Re: Battery size I use a Group 25 12v battery (https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli25). For corrosion I use a Acid Neutralizing Mat (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and anti-corrosion washers on the posts (https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Anti-...EY9BHG5FFJDFZQ). __________________ The Master Cylinder Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal...

02-27-2019, 01:06 PM	#9
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Battery size Visit your local auto junkyard. Some of the MoPar cars of the 80's or 90's used a plastic grate style spacer under the battery. Also many batteries used a plastic tray with a shallow lip to catch any battery acid. This should help save the life of the Model A battery holder.