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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 | I'm planning on starting my tear down/restoration of my '53 this winter. Can I put the battery on a tender and forget it? Not sure how long it will take me, maybe 2-3 years if I'm lucky?
Allan
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1951 GMC 1/2-ton
Two 1953 Chevy 3100 5-window
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,871 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,871 | Put a load on it periodically, like a headlight bulb, run it down about halfway, and recharge. Be sure to monitor the acid level at least once a month while it's on the charger, and add clean water (never acid) to keep the liquid above the top of the plates.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 | Thanks Jerry...appreciate it!
Allan
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1951 GMC 1/2-ton
Two 1953 Chevy 3100 5-window
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,871 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,871 | "Full charge" specific gravity measured with a hydrometer is around 1.265. That's the best way to monitor the battery, by measuring the strength of the acid. Most parts stores will have a hydrometer in stock, or there's always a few of them on Ebay. They're very inexpensive, and there's no better way to check any battery with removable cell covers.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 | You can get battery monitoring chargers these days that shut themselves off when the battery is charged to prevent boiling one dry. How that would work over 2-3 years I don't know since I've never stored a battery that long. While I'm not a battery expert Jerry's advise on putting it through occasional discharge/charge cycles sounds like good advise to me.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | Conventional batteries last an average of five years, with lots of good care. If your battery is two years old, you should count on buying a new one in three years. | | |
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