6V Batery recommendation

[Jon-Ohio]

What's the best brand 6V battery for daily driver A ?

My local farm stores carry Exide 6V type 1 tractor batteries for $45 - are they any good or should I try NAPA, AutoZone, o'Reilly's or the like ?

Thanks for advice

Jon in Ohio

[1930artdeco]

There are only 4 battery makes in the US so they are really all of the same. If you want one that will last go get an optima. They are three times the price but will last you three times as long.

Mike

[billwill]

Id go to the Fam store goodluck

[billwill]

You will do better at a farm store for Batteries good luck

[Tom Wesenberg]

There are many names on batteries, but as mentioned, all are made by just a few companies. The STARTRITE 6 volt in my Model A is made by E.P.M. in Baltimore. I picked it out of the battery barrel at the junk yard over 10 years ago, and it's still going strong.

I just called a place about 4 miles south of me that sells E.P.M. made batteries, and he said a 6 volt would cost $76 and no trade needed.

[29 Tudor]

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I got mine at Tractor Supply and it seems to be fine. I swore off Optimas after having three of them go bad in under three years and the dealer (in California) would not warrant them without sending them back and leaving me with NO battery while they did that. I went to Wally World and bought new batteries for both vehicles (one uses two) and they have been fine ever since.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

There are many names on batteries, but as mentioned, all are made by just a few companies. The STARTRITE 6 volt in my Model A is made by E.P.M. in Baltimore. I picked it out of the battery barrel at the junk yard over 10 years ago, and it's still going strong.

I just called a place about 4 miles south of me that sells E.P.M. made batteries, and he said a 6 volt would cost $76 and no trade needed.

Do you who it is that sells EPMs ?

[Patrick L.]

Didn't Optima have some quality issues lately ? I've heard the construction had changed and I haven't heard whether the issues have been corrected.

[d.]

Tractor Supply Henderson NC area
I just called Tracto Supply this afternoon and they told me they no longer carry a Group 1 6v battery.
He knew what a Model A Ford was. Only 6v they have is for a lawn mower. He said all farm tractors now use 12v. How about a Farmall Cub or H?
He told me they are all 12v now.

[cedar]

I bought mine at farm and fleet. Its a good battery.

[glenn in camino]

batteries have gotten more expensive and don't last as long as they used to. Optima dry cell batteries are the best.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Do you who it is that sells EPMs ?

I would do a Google search E.P.M. Battery, and see what comes up. I think Deka is one name, as well as Startrite on my battery.

Speaking of batteries, I had a pleasant shock today when I put my battery charger on a 10 year 1 month old Fleet Farm battery. It showed a 2 amp charge on the meter, so I figured it was good enough to do some wiring and bulb checks in my Studebaker today. I put it in the car, then hit the starter expecting to hear nothing, but the engine spun like new, so it looks like I won't even have to buy a new battery.

Like I said before, I've always had many more years of life from a 6 volt battery than I've had from 12 volt batteries.

[SANTA Ray]

I just purchased one at Tractor Supply (Group 1) for $79.99. Was the best price locally in south metro GA.

[jrelliott]

Had to get one earlier this year for the A and got it at O'Reilly as not too many choices in Payson, AZ. Surprise the caps come off and you can top off the water. If you can find them where you can top off the water they last a lot longer here in AZ. Had to get one for another vehicle that was less than 4 year old. Sealed Batteries do not last long in the AZ heat and low humidity.

[spdway1]

Interstate Battery...enough said.

[Elcastor]

My Interstate Battery is still going strong. So far, so good!

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I would do a Google search E.P.M. Battery, and see what comes up. I think Deka is one name, as well as Startrite on my battery.

Speaking of batteries, I had a pleasant shock today when I put my battery charger on a 10 year 1 month old Fleet Farm battery. It showed a 2 amp charge on the meter, so I figured it was good enough to do some wiring and bulb checks in my Studebaker today. I put it in the car, then hit the starter expecting to hear nothing, but the engine spun like new, so it looks like I won't even have to buy a new battery.

Like I said before, I've always had many more years of life from a 6 volt battery than I've had from 12 volt batteries.

It just don't get any better than an old Studebaker. Come to think of it, all Studebakers are old aren't they.

[Christoph]

Jon - act as if its your own birthday....
Get yourself a OPTIMA and forget that you do have a battery
(It is "dry", you wont have to touch it for many years)

best regards Christoph

@JRELLIOTT
Sealed FLUID batteries are not really sealed.
take away the sticker and carefully open the upper-shell to refill water.
(Annul it, its just "clicked" in )
Sealed batterys are made with intransparent material. This is to prevent
that you see that its loosing water too. Manufacturers hope (!) that this batteries will survive time of warranty without refilling water.
(Be aware: If its really old the plastic-material of the upper shell might have lost its plasticizer and might break while trying to take it out....)

[zzlegend]

If it means anything, I have an optima in one of my A's and a one in my 54 chevy. Both 6 volt and purchased about 4 years ago. Both still work fine. I went to Cosco the other day to get a 12 volt for my Roadster and they don't carry them any more. The sales man said they had to many returns and warranty issues. Called my friend who sells them at his auto repair business and he said the same. He dropped them. Word is that optima moved their location and started using a different concoction to fill them. I ended up buying a Delco. Just my 2 cents.

[Growley bear]

Optima