New Battery for '40 V8

[RKS.PA]

Had a very unusual Optima problem: Ordered one from Amazon, best price and free shipping. On arrival, two were delivered. So, called Amazon...it was one of their sellers in Oregon...who said..."we've never experienced such an honest person!!!!" Had a very hard time at first sending the mistake back, but eventually got it sorted out....go figure.

Our motto is if you shorted us, we're going to raise hell, if it goes the other way, we're going to let you know!!!

Dick.

[mike42]

Whoa Guys...thx ! I've been away for a couple days and couldn't wait to log on and 20 replies !! I love it. I'm looking at Summit as I've used them before when I bought the Coker's and shipping was free and it was a big savings. My car is very nice, but not a show car....I drive it in Summer til Fall and then in storage for the Winter. I use a battery tender on all my batteries, so this should last a long time.

Thx to all.....I appreciate the responses very much.

Mike

[G.M.]

Originally Posted by mike42

Whoa Guys...thx ! I've been away for a couple days and couldn't wait to log on and 20 replies !! I love it. I'm looking at Summit as I've used them before when I bought the Coker's and shipping was free and it was a big savings. My car is very nice, but not a show car....I drive it in Summer til Fall and then in storage for the Winter. I use a battery tender on all my batteries, so this should last a long time.

Thx to all.....I appreciate the responses very much.

Mike

Battery chargers of any type should not be left on Optima
batteries. The gas is trapped at the top and eats the lead
connection from cells to top terminals. The only time the
vent works is when enough pressure is built up. A few
years ago I had 3 failures and cut them apart and the lead
got so thin the amp load cause fine separation like it was
cut with a plasma torch. I drove a 1,000 of and 1,100 mile
trip when it went in Va. on my way to Fl. There was enough
power for lights but the starter didn't have enough power.
I parked on the end of the concrete pad at pumps that had
a slope to kick start or a few times used my 12 volt battery
pack. I can't find the picture of the damage but will try to
post it later. G.M.

[philipswanson]

I can buy allot of regular 6 volt batteries for $220 +

[Drbrown]

With due respect to all here, I'm with philipswanson on the matter of buying batteries. When I needed one, Amazon was involved in the big issue of Optima honoring its warranties on batteries sold by Amazon (and other "resellers" "middlemen"). Also, local auto stores were selling them at well above $200. Apparently the warranty issue has now been ironed out.

Regardless, I bought an 800 CCA battery at Walley World for about $70 .... no shipping cost ... free replacement for four years and the fifth year inital cost prorated .... can use a standard battery charger and mini-charger .... a ten minute drive to get the replacement.

So I like the color red but believe my wallet's in better long-tern shape.

PS: Optima's selling here at Advance Auto for abt $220 red top and 240 yellow top.

[KGS]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by philipswanson

I can buy allot of regular 6 volt batteries for $160 +

Yes you can but the value gained vs. dollar spent
is not so much in the battery. It is the money saved
when you don't have to repair/repaint the frame and
inner fender panel damaged by the out gassing and acid
dripping from a repro battery or less expensive battery. I've
been down this road; not fun. I only use Optima now to avoid
these problems. I recently bought another Optima as back up for
the two that I've had for better than twenty years. I haven't
had to use it yet other than to swap it in to the '39 to give it some use.
Ken

[tubman]

Youse guys have a better Wal-Mart than I do. When I asked about a 6 volt battery, all I got was the requisite dumb look.

[mike42]

GM ....I really like the box that holds the extra oil ! Pretty slick.

I found Advanced Auto has them for $ 187 the same as Amazon. They also have a 15% off if you register and buy online. The only prob with that is....I'll get a ton of emails !

Thx....Mike

[Drbrown]

I need to clarify my above post. I have a 12 volt system so a replacement off Walley World's shelf is not a problem. And yes, one probably might get a cross-eye'd-look if asking for anything 6 volt there. Regarding acid damage to car parts or battery terminal corrosion, I've personally not seen that happen with the newer batteries and might suspect an excessive-charging rate as cause of acid leakage. I.E. not a golden-oldie's but our 15 year old family car had its original battery for 11 years and never showed any sign of corrosion. It probably relates to battery quality and/or charging-rate control.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by philipswanson

I can buy allot of regular 6 volt batteries for $160 +

What kind of 6 volt batteries? I was wandering around Fleet Farm (a big operation in Brainerd) and run of the mill group 1 batteries with 425 CCA were over fifty bucks. They did have a few bigger ones that ran in the over $100 neighborhood, but they had NOTHING with a capacity even close to an Optima. The higher capacity batteries were also LARGE; no way they'd fit in any of our cars without serious modification. If you have a source for quality batteries that would fit at a reasonable price, I'd like to know about it.

[leon bee]

Here in my town I can buy 1.66 decent conventional 6 volt batteries for the price of the Optima.

[tubman]

Leon,

If by "conventional" you mean Group "1" batteries, even 4 for one would be a bad deal. We need specifications (CCA, etc.).

[billbob412]

Get your optima from summit they are a real dealer as opposed to Amazon they will price match and fix any warranty problems you have. Don't ask me how i know!

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by tubman

Youse guys have a better Wal-Mart than I do. When I asked about a 6 volt battery, all I got was the requisite dumb look.

Now that is a look I'm used to seeing from them. I'm with you on this.

[leon bee]

Originally Posted by tubman

Leon,

If by "conventional" you mean Group "1" batteries, even 4 for one would be a bad deal. We need specifications (CCA, etc.).

Tubman: There was a group 2 at NAPA, was gonna be $105 with our taxes. I already got my new Optima. Anything else I'd have to go look for.