The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 12 volt battery suggestions

I need to replace my battery for my '54 Chevy 3100. It will not be my daily driver immediately, but I plan on getting it running and making it my weekend sled.

Can anyone out there give me a suggestion on the proper 12volt to buy? Do I need a gel cell or is conventional better?

Thanks,

Carlos

"Conventional" is way cheaper. I've only used gel cell batteries where they must be used/charged in any position.

cm

First thing is to get dementions & get a size that fits. You probably are going to use top terms. although some bats have both. Unless you have swaped a big block engine in it you don't need some high powered bat. About 600 CCW at an average price is fine.

Carlos,

This is a timely topic. I think my 10yr old 12v batt is crapping out.

FWIW, I have an Interstate Mega-Tron-26 only because it fit my batt box. It has less than 600 CCA.

Although the battery is smaller than the original 6v, the terminals touch the batt hold down bracket so I had to make one.

Buy this one if $$ is no object and you want to period perfect.

Will you please tell us what battery you finally purchase and why. I may follow suit.

Thanks,

- Lonnie

I chose a conventional battery with 600 CCA. I'll let you know how it fires.

I have an Optima battery and it is at least 15 years old. it even sat for 2 years while i redid the truck and with a mild charge it has served me well for the last 3 years. i have read that you can not kill them. when they do go down you have to bring it back to 7.5 volts with a feeder battery then charge it to 12v. i have a maintainer on mine now.

If you go with side post battery and install with the posts toward the door you will not have to change the hold down bracket just take the size to your FLAPS annd get a normal battery that fits as close to the 6 volt size and it works.

Pete

what is this FLAPS I keep hearing about?

Friendly Local Auto Parts Store-FLAPS

I always put in the biggest battery that will fit. When can you have too much battery and if it's not a cost issue.

Dan

I replaced the 10yr old 12v battery in my 54 3100 yesterday (conv to 12v) with an Interstate Battery MT-26 because it is an easy fit. Same as the last one I had. Smaller dimentions than the original 6v. Only 525 CCA. Not a lot of freezing / cold start weather in Central FL, so that works OK.

I have a .pdf spec sheet with dimentions for Interstate batteries. If you need, send me a PM with your email address.

- Lonnie

Another thought, I have invested in battery tenders for all my "seasonal" vehicles. The good ones will not over charge and I have been very happy whith battery life. I have a hard wired one with a hidden plug on my hot rod and my Polaris Razor. Always ready to go. Lead acid batteries should never go dead.

cant beat the technology in the Enersys batteries. I suggest the Odyssey brand (consumer) vs Hawker (Commercial / Military) because of cost to the average person

The current enersys uses the same AGM technology that went into the spiral cell Optima (prior to Optima being sold to JCI and now cost-reduced to a poor performer), however in a dense packed stack that out performs the spiral cells as far as power/space available.

here is a chart http://www.odysseybattery.com/battspecs.html

Ron, I myself also have a pre JCI optima battery that wont die, however all subsequent batteries are Enersys

here is a link to the FUAL on SB. https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=412305

I'm in agreement with Scott on the post- JCI Optimas, the quality is nowhere near as good as the early ones. JCIs regular batteries are good, though.
BTW, anyone intersted in the Enersys, check out the Diehard Platinum. It's essentially the same battery.