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09-27-2021, 08:20 PM | #21 |
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Re: optima battery prices............
I just purchased an Interstate 6-volt (1-VHD) for $153.95. I've always had good luck with the brand. I considered an Optima at that point, but couldn't pull the trigger on another (~)$80.
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09-27-2021, 08:55 PM | #22 |
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Join Date: Oct 2017
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Battery Prices
Keep in mind every battery charger has a "DeSulfator function". That's what they do!
A battery is sort of a self contained chemical reaction, as the battery is discharged the electrolyte gradually reverts to essentially plain H2O. This is why measuring the specific gravity of the electrolyte will indicate the true state of charge. This plates become coated with a soft sulfate paste as it is discharged, and ordinarily the charging process reverses this easily, over and over. The problem arises when a battery is in a chronically undercharged condition, as most are, and the light sulfation turns to hard crystals that are extremely resistant to charging aka "permanent sulfation". The battery loses its CCA performance or current capacity. This permanent sulfation is said to occur starting at about an 80% charge, in a matter of days or weeks. The way I heard it described, trying to re-charge a permanently sulfated starting battery is sort of like trying to wash your hands wearing rubber gloves. Now, there are those special chargers, and techniques, that can be employed and are claimed to reverse permanent sulfation and bring a battery back to full performance but this is definitely one of those "prevention is better than the cure" situations. If a battery is maintained in the first place as on a tender or float charger the special bespoke boutique chargers aren't necessary. |
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09-27-2021, 09:59 PM | #23 |
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Hartford area, CT
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Re: optima battery prices............
There are limits to how much sulfation can be reversed. It's not a good place to be. Also, sulfate crystals will slough off and drop to the bottom of the battery case. When the layer of sulfate is deep enough to touch the plates, the cell shorts and you are done.
It's outrageous what they get for 6 volt batteries. Must be the low volume that pumps up the unit price. |
09-28-2021, 04:04 AM | #24 |
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Re: optima battery prices............
It's outrageous what they get for 6 volt batteries. Must be the low volume that pumps up the unit price.
I think you are spot on with that. some guys here mentioned rural king a couple of yrs back and were paying around 50. but that franchise is nowhere near here and I doubt they are going for that now. |
09-28-2021, 04:07 AM | #25 |
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Re: optima battery prices............
Tractor supply is fine but look at the production date stickers on the side and pick a fresh one at the back of the row.
inventory is low- one batt to choose from.........lol 7/21 date regarding farm fleet- Ill take 3, but am nowhere near them so there is no 49. battery here in the east. |
09-28-2021, 05:34 AM | #26 |
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Re: optima battery prices............
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thanks for all the feedback. |
09-28-2021, 09:36 AM | #27 |
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Location: Arkansas & Alaska
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Re: optima battery prices............
A word about the sulfate building up in the bottom of batteries is a problem. Back in the 70's and 80's I owned a gravel plant and had 5 trucks on the road and a lot of Cat equipment all with big batteries. Once a year we went through all of them and dumped the acid and washed all the junk out of them and refilled with new acid. After I started this practice I had gone 8 years with out replacing a single battery. Don't know how much longer they lasted after I sold out. When the sulfate builds up in the bottom deep enough it shorts out the plates and its all over. You couldn't believe all the black that I washed out of them every year.
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09-28-2021, 03:44 PM | #28 | |
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Re: optima battery prices............
Quote:
I can't believe what guys are paying for 6V batteries $155 plus tax You can buy THREE 6V batteries at Farm King for that and they are just as good or better. |
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09-28-2021, 03:50 PM | #29 | |
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Re: optima battery prices............
Quote:
Last edited by McMimmcs; 09-30-2021 at 02:54 PM. |
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09-30-2021, 07:02 AM | #30 |
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Re: optima battery prices............
so I did get my batteries at Rural King. great deal at 49. a pop and was headed to the car show anyway.
one thing Ive noticed on all reviews is, look at when the reviews were written. sometimes things change down the road and the reviews havent kept up with the product. |
09-30-2021, 07:14 PM | #31 | |
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Re: optima battery prices............
Quote:
I doubt if Tom Wesenberg is anywhere near up to speed on making anymore EVR's (Electronic Voltage Regulators) after his tragic fire this summer, but if you ever get the chance to buy one, I can't talk them up enough. We have two one on the Roadster and one on the '36 PU, running the original generators, 6V POS ground as original. It is like having an alternator. The ammeter will show a 2-3 amp charge with the lights off cruising down the road, pop the headlights on and the ammeter dips below '0' for a split second and then jumps right back to a 2-3 amp charge--- driving at night with the headlights on. I never had THAT on a Model A Ford before. And the beauty of it all is, ever since we've been running them my 49 dollar Farm King batteries last for YEARS. That pays for the cost of the EVR real fast, plus they aren't that expensive to begin with. You can either run a stock Model A cutout that is in good working order with the correct air gap, OR you can run a diode cutout the parts suppliers sell today, it's super simple to modify Tom's EVR if you do that. Either way it works great!! |
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09-30-2021, 09:38 PM | #32 |
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Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Waynesboro Va.
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Re: optima battery prices............
I just went to batteries plus and got a duralast for $90 for my dad's A.
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09-30-2021, 10:00 PM | #33 |
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Location: Long Island
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Re: optima battery prices............
Agways typically sell 6V tractor batteries as well
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10-01-2021, 05:33 AM | #34 |
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Re: optima battery prices............
good info on the evr's Jeff. Never was aware of them..........
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10-01-2021, 08:09 AM | #35 |
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Re: optima battery prices............
I got a '32 generator with EVR and original cutout from Tom just before the fire, and I'm just going to move it from car to car for the rest of my life, it's that good.
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10-01-2021, 10:09 AM | #36 | |
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Re: optima battery prices............
Quote:
John
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