Battery Help
 

I have a friend who got a very nice 1931 model A roadster from the death of his Dad. The car sat inside for 5 years. it has a 6 Volt battery which I think is a very nice repro with the ford script. It is very dead and I am wondering if some one knows of an outfit in CT or NE area that might be able to refurbish it ? Any help appreciated Tom

Re: Battery Help
 

Some of these reproduction batteries are regular lead acid and some are AGM batteries. I thought there were two companies that made the batteries.


BBB states that Antique Battery in Ohio is out of business.


https://www.bbb.org/us/oh/youngstown...-0432-20003207


and here is the other,


Battery Central Mall


Office Hours: 9am - 5pm / Mon-Fri Eastern TimePhone: 804-861-0165

Fax: 804-412-2904Email: Sales DepartmentOffice Location: 4030 Cobblewood Drive
Disputanta, Virginia 23842

Re: Battery Help
 

Have you tried recharging the battery? Maybe w/a desulphator.

Re: Battery Help
 

This is an option if you must have a "correct" battery: https://www.theoldcarguys.com/resour...-auto-battery/
Otherwise go to a farm store and buy a 6V tractor battery. Will give you many years of good service. https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/far...ctor%20battery

Re: Battery Help
 

Take it to a battery rebuilder if there is one around you.

Re: Battery Help
 

I've wanted to replace my Ford script battery (a real nice 70's repro) since it was lost in a flood 15 yrs ago. So I'm glad to learn somebody is making them available today.
When I followed the recent FB link to the AAB Battery Company, I was drawn to the part of their ad copy that says something like: "No judge will ever know the difference."
OK, but for $300++ I'd like to think Henry Ford couldn't tell the difference...
So, how would it be possible to have a fine-point Judge confirm this (Well, not the part about Henry!)?
Is there any way in place for the high-quality modern reproductions of the hardest-to-find, but widely used, 'fragile' parts, like a battery, or a shock absorber, or a windshield wiper blade, to be reviewed by members of the Judging Standards? The Standards do show closeups of the battery case details, BUT...
I assume the short answer is going to be: "Just go buy 'em, enter the car in fine-point, and find out..."
But...
Thanks,
John

Re: Battery Help
 

http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/


I don't think they are out of business as has been reported here and elsewhere. I think they changed names internally for whatever reason. I just called the number. I believe the machine said thanks for Jim's Battery Service or something like that. Still says doing the best antique reproductions. I've used them and like them. Click below...the battery you want...I believe.


http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/ba...d/fmodela.html

Re: Battery Help
 

From time to time, someone will say take your battery to a rebuilder.
I have not seen a automotive battery rebuild shop since the 50's.
Has anybody seen a automotive battery rebuild shop recently?
Some cities that have factory's that use electric forklifts have battery repair shops. But these shops cannot repair auto battery's because auto battery's are very different from forklift battery's and there tools and parts will not work on auto battery's.
I have searched many hours on the internet for tools and supplies to rebuild my own battery's, with no luck.
Auto battery's made in the last 50 or 60 years are not designed to be rebuilt, you would destroy it trying to take them apart.
If someone knows of a automotive battery repair shop, let us know.

Re: Battery Help
 

Local place, "The Battery Doctors" sell rebuilt or refurbished batteries (not sure which), I don't think they do them in-house. I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Re: Battery Help
 

It's BS you will lose points. The casting is incorrect, and the caps are totally wrong.


Ask them to send you a guarantee that it will pass Model A judging or your money back and see how fast they back down.

Re: Battery Help
 

Thanks Mike V,
Great suggestion.
I wonder how the vendors who's catalogs say that a particular repop part they are supplying is the ''most accurate part made'' (or something like that...) would respond to that kind of a challenge...?
John

Re: Battery Help
 

Wait a minute, "most accurate part made" and "No judge can tell the difference" are two different things.

Re: Battery Help
 

I have not fooled with six (6) volt batteries in years, but am pretty familiar with the AGM types.
Couldn't a handy fellow install an AGM battery into an original type case?
Maybe this is just a dumb question, but seems doable
Jim

Re: Battery Help
 

I know a guy who restored an old Harley and he showed me a battery. Looks identical to an old original he has, but cover comes off and a modern battery sits inside.

Re: Battery Help
 

I finally remembered to call them and was told that what they sell as re-cons are actually used batteries, 2 or 3 years old, but have been tested and determined to be in good shape and meet all the specs for testing.
They said that batteries are not rebuilt anymore as they are heat sealed and cannot be disassembled and reassembled to meet environmental standards. There is also the issue w/the toxicity of working w/lead.

Re: Battery Help
 

If your battery is a true top then I would give a call to ABC battery in South Gate, CA. They put together a 36 Ford Battery for 5 window.
ABC Battery Phone number (562) 861-0356

Re: Battery Help
 

Is the battery is dead or simply flat? Before attempting to replace it, I would first determine if it will accept a charge. I would also check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in each cell after the charge.

Re: Battery Help-How to recover deep discharged Optima...
 

How to recover deep discharged Optima... from their website...

Read right column of webpage for three methods...


https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-u...harged-battery

Re: Battery Help
 

I would like to find an authenic Ford script 32 original type battery case suitable for installing a new 6V Optima inside. Yeah, I realize I would probably have to modify my metal 32 battery carrier, but that's O.K. with me.