[Healeys] Battery suggestion

[Bob Spidell]

I believe all (standard, wet cell) auto batteries are made by just 2 or 3 companies (Johnson Controls being a major one). Plate density, construction quality, etc. are roughly equivalent to the warranty; i.e. a battery with an 84-month warranty is likely to be better constructed with greater plate density than one with a 36-month battery (not necessarily more than twice better, though). I've heard good things about Optima batteries, but I've never been able to justify the expense since I usually get 5-7 years out of a much cheaper battery anyway. 

Since our cars sometimes sit for long periods of time, consider a battery maintainer. Battery Tender and Battery Minder are two brands. The Battery Minder, at least, claims to use a process to desulphate the battery, and guarantees not to over-charge (cheap chargers can overcharge--the battery will be toast). I just bought a Battery Minder I intend to use this winter, so I can only vouch for their customer service (excellent). Aviation magazines have reviewed these products and found their claims to be largely substantiated (although the Battery Tender model for aircraft was withdrawn from the market due to a problem with sealed, gel-cell batteries). 


bs 

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Bob Spidell - San Jose, CA 


I have a Duralast 34-DS from Autozone, installed in October 1999. 

Steve Byers 
HBJ8L/36666 
BJ8 Registry 
Havelock, NC USA 



Folks, 

I have a BJ8 with a battery tha died unexpectedly last weekend. I can't 
complain because the battery was - no kidding - 19 years old. It was a Delco 
marine series 26 and it lasted 2 - 3 times longer than a regular battery. I 
know a series 27 is the right size for my car, but evidently Delco didn't 
make 
a series 27 marine battery back when this one was installed. My 
understanding 
is a marine battery has thicker plates and is more durable than a regular 
car 
battery, which may be the reason the P.O. put it in. I'm wondering what 
other 
people are using in their vehicles? I tried looking in the archives, but 
can't 
seem to find anything even though I remember some discussion about batteries 
a 
few months ago. Any suggestions? 
Thanks! 
David Z.