The Ford Barn

51504bat · 03-30-2020, 07:11 PM

I put a hidden master cutoff switch in my '39 p/u. I use it whenever I park it in the garage or if I'm out and about. I also use it at the 1 and only car show I go to. Its a family friendly event and with the switch off I don't worry about kids sitting in the driver seat enjoying themselves.

totto · 03-30-2020, 09:03 PM

I bought two batteries from "Battery and Bulbs. They sell Duracell batteries. Put them in and use "Jr battery tender" and have done that for last few years. Works for me. The battery is for Model A and I have '34 pickup and '37 1 1/2 dump truck.

Henry

Lawson Cox · 03-30-2020, 09:54 PM

All this mention of Optima batteries. Do they still make the red top?

Tinker · 03-30-2020, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

All this mention of Optima batteries. Do they still make the red top?

Best to my knowledge. Last one I bought was from napa 9 yrs ago. I have 2 red top batteries 9 and 14 yrs old. I don't use a tender. I full charge it twice a year with a old basic schumacher charger. Just my experience.

summit... might find it somewhere else also.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/u...IaAtU7EALw_wcB

KiWinUS · 03-31-2020, 07:44 AM

Optima 6 volt red top $187.99 from amazon. I have one in my 36 that’s 12 years old spins engine like a 12 volt. Lays on angle in original battery box. I have installed a fuse where main power comes off starter switch & just pull fuse when sitting for long.

RKS.PA · 03-31-2020, 08:10 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'm in the Tubman camp...post #3 above. All my cars have the batteries located under the hood. Have used Optima Red Top 6 volt batteries for over 20 years, after having a very expensive and disappointing experience with a Ford script conventional lead acid one.

I also like the shut off at the battery. Have found the round knob ones made in the USA vs. the green Chinese ones. The knobs on mine are black...not that that matters. Just make sure the clamp on the battery post is tight!!

tubman · 03-31-2020, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKS.PA

I'm in the Tubman camp...post #3 above. All my cars have the batteries located under the hood. Have used Optima Red Top 6 volt batteries for over 20 years, after having a very expensive and disappointing experience with a Ford script conventional lead acid one.

I also like the shut off at the battery. Have found the round knob ones made in the USA vs. the green Chinese ones. The knobs on mine are black...not that that matters. Just make sure the clamp on the battery post is tight!!

and CLEAN.

philipswanson · 03-31-2020, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

Optima 6 volt red top $187.99 from amazon. I have one in my 36 that’s 12 years old spins engine like a 12 volt. Lays on angle in original battery box. I have installed a fuse where main power comes off starter switch & just pull fuse when sitting for long.

$179.99 on E Bay. Free postage.

tubman · 03-31-2020, 10:49 AM

You should check into the vendor before ordering one. When I bought my last one, some vendors would honor the warranty and some wouldn't. Hopefully you won't need to warranty the unit, but better safe than sorry.

Something worth checking.

Aarongriffey · 04-01-2020, 01:53 AM

When I worked for a car collector that bought Ronald Reagan’s 1956 Ford it had a knife switch disconnect on the battery. Poor,pooor, very poor. Where the knife would pivot it would break contact sometimes. Had to take it off.
A good shut off switch will run you about $26.

03-30-2020, 09:03 PM	#22
totto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 221	Re: Battery purchase & best shut off location I bought two batteries from "Battery and Bulbs. They sell Duracell batteries. Put them in and use "Jr battery tender" and have done that for last few years. Works for me. The battery is for Model A and I have '34 pickup and '37 1 1/2 dump truck. Henry

03-30-2020, 09:54 PM	#23
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Battery purchase & best shut off location All this mention of Optima batteries. Do they still make the red top? __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

03-31-2020, 07:44 AM	#25
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,954	Re: Battery purchase & best shut off location Optima 6 volt red top $187.99 from amazon. I have one in my 36 that’s 12 years old spins engine like a 12 volt. Lays on angle in original battery box. I have installed a fuse where main power comes off starter switch & just pull fuse when sitting for long.

03-31-2020, 08:10 AM	#26
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: Battery purchase & best shut off location Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm in the Tubman camp...post #3 above. All my cars have the batteries located under the hood. Have used Optima Red Top 6 volt batteries for over 20 years, after having a very expensive and disappointing experience with a Ford script conventional lead acid one. I also like the shut off at the battery. Have found the round knob ones made in the USA vs. the green Chinese ones. The knobs on mine are black...not that that matters. Just make sure the clamp on the battery post is tight!!

03-31-2020, 10:49 AM	#29
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Battery purchase & best shut off location You should check into the vendor before ordering one. When I bought my last one, some vendors would honor the warranty and some wouldn't. Hopefully you won't need to warranty the unit, but better safe than sorry. Something worth checking.

04-01-2020, 01:53 AM	#30
Aarongriffey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Hayward,CA Posts: 513	Re: Battery purchase & best shut off location When I worked for a car collector that bought Ronald Reagan’s 1956 Ford it had a knife switch disconnect on the battery. Poor,pooor, very poor. Where the knife would pivot it would break contact sometimes. Had to take it off. A good shut off switch will run you about $26.