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Old 11-17-2015, 10:01 AM   #41
bambooboy
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Smile Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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Originally Posted by jrelliott View Post
From the comments, a lot of people are having trouble with batteries. I am like Tom in MN in that batteries seem to last for quite a while for me. You must check the fluid levels regularly and top off if low with distilled water(NO TAP WATER). You can check the charge by getting a hydrometer that is used to check the specific gravity of the charge in each cell. Have not looked for one in years and do not know if they are still available in parts stores. Put in a double plastic bag after using as Sulphuric Acid will eat just about anything. With regular maintenance 6V batteries that have removable tops should last beyond the warranty. If you do have a weak battery in an emergency can put an aspirin in each low cell and will bring it back for a while.
will baby aspirins work? always carry,but for other reasons. tom
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Old 11-17-2015, 10:56 AM   #42
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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Deka may make a great battery but if you go to their site looking for a local dealer and the 901MF battery or any 6 volt battery you get forwarded to the Federal Battery site. There you find out that there are no distributors within 1000 km(?) of New Jersey where I happen to be (hey, no snickering out there).
Do you have an Oreilly Auto Parts nearby?
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Old 11-17-2015, 12:01 PM   #43
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

None in New Jersey (oh stop laughing).
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Old 08-03-2021, 10:47 AM   #44
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

How often should the water in the battery be checked?
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Old 08-03-2021, 06:48 PM   #45
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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How often should the water in the battery be checked?
That depends on the charge rate and temperature. High temps and higher charge rates will require the cells to be filled more often.
I use an electronic voltage regulator and only checked the water in the spring.
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Old 08-03-2021, 08:05 PM   #46
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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Old 08-03-2021, 08:07 PM   #47
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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Thank you, Tom..

Our Blains Farm and Fleet here in Cedar Rapids has one on sale for $39.95 exchange. Their Blain Part Number 040573.

Is this one the same as the one your friend got?

Larry
For 40 dollars buy it ! Hope you’re not waiting for something cheaper!
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Old 08-03-2021, 08:47 PM   #48
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

My local battery wholesaler occasionally has factory blems and I was able to find one brand new for $55. Cranks great so far 10 months after I purchased it and cranks far superior to the one that came with the car.
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Old 08-03-2021, 09:03 PM   #49
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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For 40 dollars buy it ! Hope you’re not waiting for something cheaper!

That post was from 11/14/2015.
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Old 08-03-2021, 09:43 PM   #50
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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How often should the water in the battery be checked?
My local auto electric guru and battery supplier says you should never have to check or add water to modern batteries, even group 1 6V. His advice: Keep the batteries charged and run them for their warranteed time. He’s the professional. I trust him.
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Old 08-03-2021, 10:47 PM   #51
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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My local auto electric guru and battery supplier says you should never have to check or add water to modern batteries, even group 1 6V. His advice: Keep the batteries charged and run them for their warranteed time. He’s the professional. I trust him.
I don't think this is good advice. Electrolyte will slowly boil off or evaporate, especially with a Generator that is set such that it overcharges a little on longer trips. There really isn't any such thing as a 'modern' lead acid battery. Leaving out gel and AGM, all they can do is design the case to have more electrolyte. Plate and insulator construction has been around for decades.

There's a lot to know about lead acid batteries. Most last long enough if they aren't abused such that delving into all the intricacies is beyond most people's interest. So here's a few quick points:

Low electrolyte is bad and can lead to permanent damage.
Deeply discharging is bad, and will limit the battery's life.
Leaving a battery uncharged for any period of time is bad, this will also limit life and capacity.
Overcharging is bad, it boils off electrolyte. (OK, it's not really boiling, it's gassing)
There are only 3 battery manufacturers in the US. Many brands are just contracted and re-labeled.
Lead is expensive. Better batteries weigh more.
Batteries are like mattresses. It's important what's inside, but you can't see it.
Voltage only reliably indicates state of charge if allowed to rest for 24 hours with zero discharge.
Specific Gravity is always a good indication of state of charge when corrected for temperature.
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Old 08-03-2021, 11:13 PM   #52
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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Originally Posted by Mister Moose View Post
I don't think this is good advice. Electrolyte will slowly boil off or evaporate, especially with a Generator that is set such that it overcharges a little on longer trips. There really isn't any such thing as a 'modern' lead acid battery. Leaving out gel and AGM, all they can do is design the case to have more electrolyte. Plate and insulator construction has been around for decades.

There's a lot to know about lead acid batteries. Most last long enough if they aren't abused such that delving into all the intricacies is beyond most people's interest. So here's a few quick points:

Low electrolyte is bad and can lead to permanent damage.
Deeply discharging is bad, and will limit the battery's life.
Leaving a battery uncharged for any period of time is bad, this will also limit life and capacity.
Overcharging is bad, it boils off electrolyte. (OK, it's not really boiling, it's gassing)
There are only 3 battery manufacturers in the US. Many brands are just contracted and re-labeled.
Lead is expensive. Better batteries weigh more.
Batteries are like mattresses. It's important what's inside, but you can't see it.
Voltage only reliably indicates state of charge if allowed to rest for 24 hours with zero discharge.
Specific Gravity is always a good indication of state of charge when corrected for temperature.
Thanks. I’ll have a discussion with him with your info.
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Old 08-04-2021, 08:19 AM   #53
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

I’m 87 years old and I have 2 Model T’s, 2 Model A’s and 2 early V8’s. None are show cars and they don’t get driven much these days. All six have Optima batteries and they never need any attention and the cars start right up with them. Given my experience with Tractor Supply batteries in the past I feel that I have saved money in spite of the Optima’s cost.
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Old 08-04-2021, 09:44 AM   #54
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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All six have Optima batteries and they never need any attention and the cars start right up with them.
Optima is an AGM battery - Absorbent Glass Mat. The electrolyte is in gel form, and not liquid as in traditional lead acid batteries. The plates are spiral. They have significantly different properties, in charging profiles, electrolyte migration, and gassing. In short, they take more neglect and recover better. They last longer. Optima's 6 volt also has more oomph, at 800CCA vs the usual 640. Probably has more capacity (Amp-hours) as well.

Note that if you have dead battery issues and you have an as yet undiscovered current leak in your wiring, no battery will fix your problem.
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Old 08-04-2021, 10:00 AM   #55
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

I have good luck with NAPA batteries in my Model A, T and John Deere. I usually go to a NAPA store in a farming community about an hour away. My theory is that the have a lot more turnover in 6 volt batteries than the stores in the urban area where I live. Follows that the batteries should be fresher. Plus the know what I am talking about when I say "Group 1 6 volt". One of the clerks at a local auto parts/hardware store couldn't sell me one because he couldn't find my Model A in his listings. Turns out they had 2 in stock when an older/more knowledgeable clerk happened along.
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Old 08-04-2021, 02:33 PM   #56
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Default Re: Group 1 batteries - 6 volt for the Model A

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Originally Posted by Bob C View Post
That post was from 11/14/2015.
sorry didn’t realize the thread was six years old.
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