The Ford Barn

Tinker · 11-08-2018, 11:33 PM

I agree about the looks, but I like the performance. I'm good with the look as I'm not a points guy and don't mind the questions. Most questions about it are more about how they they run.

Karl · 11-09-2018, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipswanson

Check with a battery distributor in your area. AGMs are made by various companies. Also sealed. Frankly I don't like the looks of the 6v Optima in a classic car.

You can fix the looks with this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-St...wAAOSwqu9UzxkP

FL&WVMIKE · 11-09-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

Optima will possibly outlast lead acid battery 4 to 1 or longer
Optima also has 800 cca which is waaaaaayyyyy more than lead acid it can sit for 6 months & still spin your flatty over like a 12v until it sucks gas all way from tank to carb. A feature not possible that I have seen with a 6v lead acid

I have a 1966 mustang with a 12V Red Top Optima. The date on it is 2006, and it still works just fine.

Your mileage may vary.

tubman · 11-09-2018, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipswanson

Check with a battery distributor in your area. AGMs are made by various companies. Also sealed. Frankly I don't like the looks of the 6v Optima in a classic car.

Thanks for the informative answer.

philipswanson · 11-09-2018, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL&WVMIKE

I have a 1966 mustang with a 12V Red Top Optima. The date on it is 2006, and it still works just fine.

Your mileage may vary.

12 volt Optimas are fine but 6v Optimas are a rip off. You are buying half a 12v battery but not at half the price. A total rip off.

Anteek29 · 11-09-2018, 10:51 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Expensive, yes but I am happy to have them available.

deuce_roadster · 11-09-2018, 11:01 AM

The battery in my 40 wagon is an optima inside of a case that brought no deductions on 2 different EFV8 concourse judging events. (scores 969, 987). You don't have to have it looking like an optima.
Last year a PhD battery engineer spoke at our Regional Group meeting on batteries and said that ALL batteries, including AGMs benefit from being on tenders as it extends their life.

philipswanson · 11-09-2018, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

The battery in my 40 wagon is an optima inside of a case that brought no deductions on 2 different EFV8 concourse judging events. (scores 969, 987). You don't have to have it looking like an optima.
Last year a PhD battery engineer spoke at our Regional Group meeting on batteries and said that ALL batteries, including AGMs benefit from being on tenders as it extends their life.

Look out, PhDs that I have known all have had major mental problems.

gz · 11-09-2018, 12:00 PM

For what its worth....I installed an Optima 6-volt redtop in one of my non-Ford cars in 2003. That darn thing only lasted until 2016. Yup, just 13 years. And it was on a car that gets driven a lot and has big, long stroke, 468 CID engine that needs to get cranked over. I have one in a Model A that is probably 7-8 years old and still works fine. It goes without saying that both cars have properly operating charging systems with proper and clean electrical connections from bumper to bumper.

I always keep them on a very good quality tenders, not the cheap kind.

Needless to say, I am a happy customer and certainly hope that production of the 6V Optima continues.

Merc Cruzer · 11-09-2018, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petehoovie

As seen on the "BATTERY CENTRAL MALL" website

Ford 2LF
Classic Car Wet Acid
Script Battery

$259.00
Free Shipping

NOT AVAILABLE

I too went into the website and looked up the battery for my car (1953 Mercury) and it too has been discontinued! Looks like I will just have to buy a new Redtop 6 V and install it myself in the case.

I am getting the feeling that this is a 6V thing.........anyway both are "wet acid" and not maintenance free.

FL&WVMIKE · 11-09-2018, 01:01 PM

I saw 'fake' original looking cases that were designed to conceal an Optima battery inside.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-St...d=232967591550

40 Deluxe · 11-09-2018, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipswanson

Look out, PhDs that I have known all have had major mental problems.

PhD="Piled Higher and Deeper"?

petehoovie · 11-09-2018, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

PhD="Piled Higher and Deeper"?

Post Hole Digger....

Merc Cruzer · 11-09-2018, 04:17 PM

I don't seem to find any Utube videos on how to replace the Optima battery's in the original style battery cases. It is always interesting to see the different approaches to the same question.

JSeery · 11-09-2018, 04:48 PM

There have been past threads on gutting an original battery case and building it back up around an Optima battery. I understand an increase in battery height has made this a little more difficult. There are also threads on constructing battery cases from scratch.

Dave/Green Bay · 11-09-2018, 10:38 PM

Checked out Optima site:

"Because of the high-purity lead grid in the OPTIMA battery, it has a self-discharge rate much lower than conventional flat-plate batteries. This means the OPTIMA battery can sit for longer periods retaining enough charge to start your vehicle when stored and maintained properly. Depending on storage temperature and the state of charge when put into storage, it can usually sit for eight to 12 months and still start most vehicles.

When possible, store your battery in a cool, dry location. Check the battery voltage every six months and charge if it falls below 12.4 volts.

Remember, newer vehicles with onboard electronics such as computers, LCD screens, game systems, GPS units, clocks, etc., require battery power to retain system memory while the vehicle is parked. If the vehicle is to be stored for long periods, you should use a maintenance charger to compensate for this drain. During maintenance, the voltage should be regulated between 13.2 and 13.8 volts, one amp maximum. On older vehicles without electronics, disconnect the battery cables when the vehicle is not being used for extended periods."

Old Redneck · 11-10-2018, 05:15 AM

If all you fellows keep calling maybe they will start sooner on production. Don't hurt

40 Deluxe · 11-11-2018, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petehoovie

Post Hole Digger....

No, They think the post holes come with the posts!

Kube · 11-11-2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

I I noticed they are back on amazon today

I bought one at NAPA last week. Over the counter...

supereal · 11-11-2018, 04:10 PM

We get ours from our local Interstate Battery dealer.

11-08-2018, 11:33 PM	#21
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Optima 6V batteries production I agree about the looks, but I like the performance. I'm good with the look as I'm not a points guy and don't mind the questions. Most questions about it are more about how they they run.

11-09-2018, 10:51 AM	#26
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: Optima 6V batteries production Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Expensive, yes but I am happy to have them available. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

11-09-2018, 11:01 AM	#27
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Optima 6V batteries production The battery in my 40 wagon is an optima inside of a case that brought no deductions on 2 different EFV8 concourse judging events. (scores 969, 987). You don't have to have it looking like an optima. Last year a PhD battery engineer spoke at our Regional Group meeting on batteries and said that ALL batteries, including AGMs benefit from being on tenders as it extends their life.

11-09-2018, 12:00 PM	#29
gz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,666	Re: Optima 6V batteries production For what its worth....I installed an Optima 6-volt redtop in one of my non-Ford cars in 2003. That darn thing only lasted until 2016. Yup, just 13 years. And it was on a car that gets driven a lot and has big, long stroke, 468 CID engine that needs to get cranked over. I have one in a Model A that is probably 7-8 years old and still works fine. It goes without saying that both cars have properly operating charging systems with proper and clean electrical connections from bumper to bumper. I always keep them on a very good quality tenders, not the cheap kind. Needless to say, I am a happy customer and certainly hope that production of the 6V Optima continues. Last edited by gz; 11-09-2018 at 12:07 PM.

11-09-2018, 01:01 PM	#31
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Optima 6V batteries production I saw 'fake' original looking cases that were designed to conceal an Optima battery inside. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-St...d=232967591550 __________________ Mike Jr. here. I get on here every few months to check messages, and look through his almost 500 saved messages for information on the '29 and '34 I still have. A lot of very nice people on here. He truly enjoyed Ford Barn.

11-09-2018, 04:17 PM	#34
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,429	Re: Optima 6V batteries production I don't seem to find any Utube videos on how to replace the Optima battery's in the original style battery cases. It is always interesting to see the different approaches to the same question.

11-09-2018, 04:48 PM	#35
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Optima 6V batteries production There have been past threads on gutting an original battery case and building it back up around an Optima battery. I understand an increase in battery height has made this a little more difficult. There are also threads on constructing battery cases from scratch.

11-09-2018, 10:38 PM	#36
Dave/Green Bay Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Green Bay Posts: 391	Re: Optima 6V batteries production Checked out Optima site: "Because of the high-purity lead grid in the OPTIMA battery, it has a self-discharge rate much lower than conventional flat-plate batteries. This means the OPTIMA battery can sit for longer periods retaining enough charge to start your vehicle when stored and maintained properly. Depending on storage temperature and the state of charge when put into storage, it can usually sit for eight to 12 months and still start most vehicles. When possible, store your battery in a cool, dry location. Check the battery voltage every six months and charge if it falls below 12.4 volts. Remember, newer vehicles with onboard electronics such as computers, LCD screens, game systems, GPS units, clocks, etc., require battery power to retain system memory while the vehicle is parked. If the vehicle is to be stored for long periods, you should use a maintenance charger to compensate for this drain. During maintenance, the voltage should be regulated between 13.2 and 13.8 volts, one amp maximum. On older vehicles without electronics, disconnect the battery cables when the vehicle is not being used for extended periods."

11-10-2018, 05:15 AM	#37
Old Redneck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesburg,Pa. Posts: 1,910	Re: Optima 6V batteries production If all you fellows keep calling maybe they will start sooner on production. Don't hurt

11-11-2018, 04:10 PM	#40
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: Optima 6V batteries production We get ours from our local Interstate Battery dealer.