| Battery question - sort of OT [message #236276] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 09:44  |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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I have a 1948 Buick that I rarely drive. I'm just getting around to replacing 40 year old tires and I also need a 6 v. battery. My son wants to use the car in his wedding.
I've probably bought 8 or 9 batteries over the many years I've owned this car. I seem to make my purchase and the park the car for 2-3 years when the battery is totally shot.
Tell me what you know about Battery tenders or other types of battery trickle chargers. Knowing that the car usually sits am I better off to purchase "something" or just follow my pattern of replacing the battery when I need to drive the car?
BTW - the batteries are not cheap - Around $170 for the type that will fit. (2E)
Thanks
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery question - sort of OT [message #236277 is a reply to message #236276] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 09:47  |
Jeff Marten
Messages: 199
Registered: August 2013
Karma: 1
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Lots of choices: tenders, desulfators, disconnects, etc. Some of the new tenders do a really good job of keeping the battery charged while not boiling out all the water. It would still be a good idea to periodically check the water level if going that route.
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: stickmiller@gmail.com
> Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:44:00 -0600
> Subject: [GMCnet] Battery question - sort of OT
>
>
>
> I have a 1948 Buick that I rarely drive. I'm just getting around to replacing 40 year old tires and I also need a 6 v. battery. My son wants to use the car in his wedding.
>
> I've probably bought 8 or 9 batteries over the many years I've owned this car. I seem to make my purchase and the park the car for 2-3 years when the battery is totally shot.
>
> Tell me what you know about Battery tenders or other types of battery trickle chargers. Knowing that the car usually sits am I better off to purchase "something" or just follow my pattern of replacing the battery when I need to drive the car?
>
> BTW - the batteries are not cheap - Around $170 for the type that will fit. (2E)
>
> Thanks
> --
> Stick Miller
> '78 Royale - she left me for another man
> '76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie"
> Americus, Georgia
>
>
>
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1985 Gulf Stream 34' Sun Stream
1964 Falcon 'Vert
1980 Bradley GTE
1999 Chevy Tahoe
2005 Saab 93 Aero
1987 Suzuki Intruder 1400
1978 Glastron/Carlson CV23
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| Re: Battery question - sort of OT [message #236286 is a reply to message #236276] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 10:29 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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I'm currently following gmcnet's advice and going with the Battery Minder brand but happened across that in my materials search. That one's write-up focuses more on "charging" rather than "tending" --also, I didn't see any mention of desulfication.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery question - sort of OT [message #236289 is a reply to message #236287] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 10:49 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Found the Battery Minder - looks like the same brand - $50 as opposed to $23. Not that much difference, but worth it?
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: Battery question - sort of OT [message #236291 is a reply to message #236276] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 11:11 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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>$50 as opposed to $23. Not that much difference, but worth it?
I had the same dilemma, but ended up following what Mac said -cancelled the Tender, ordered the Minder. GMCnet seems to prefer the Minder over the Tender. Also, desulfication posts *seem* to point to the Minder.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: Battery question - sort of OT [message #236293 is a reply to message #236291] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 11:26 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Thanks guys
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery question - sort of OT [message #236296 is a reply to message #236289] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 11:38 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Northern Tool had a special on the Battery Minder back in late Nov/early Dec. at $19.95 each. I bought 5! Be patient, Grasshopper!
Shipped to local Northern Tool store, no shipping charge, but state and local tax of $8.37.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~~ k2gkk @ hotmail dot com ~~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: stickmiller@gmail.com
> Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 10:49:19 -0600
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Battery question - sort of OT
>
> Found the Battery Minder - looks like the same brand - $50 as opposed to $23. Not that much difference, but worth it?
> --
> Stick Miller
> '78 Royale - she left me for another man
> '76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie"
> Americus, Georgia
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: Battery question - sort of OT [message #236299 is a reply to message #236276] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 12:05 |
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John Heslinga
Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Karma: 4
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Hey Stick:
How about this solution: cheaper in the long run.
Set up your coach house batteries to 2- 6 volts and pull one out every time you decide to use the car.( if its anything like other garage queens, it seldom gets used) that way you buy a battery and actually get use of it. At this rate your pulling the car battery all the time anyway.
I know it would likely mean some minor modifications to the battery mounting in the show car , so keep all of the original parts . Once you want to sell the car as "All Original" , return the battery mounting system to original.
If that's not palitable, put a boat battery box in the trunk and run a suitable wire to the engine compartment. ( real easy to convert back to original). (Hell: jaguar, and the New Camaros and Vetts all have batteries in the Trunk)
Just a other idea to consider.
Best regards
John and Cathie Heslinga
1974 Canyonlands 260
455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
Edmonton, Alberta
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| Re: Battery question - sort of OT [message #236303 is a reply to message #236276] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 12:41 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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>I don't treat very well
Those are the Magic Words in my book, Stick. There is nothing I love better than a vehicle that I can repeatedly mistreat and it still hangs around.
My Minder is going on an old, abused F150 that I use 5 or 6 times a year.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: Battery question - sort of OT [message #236306 is a reply to message #236276] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 12:44 |
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John Heslinga
Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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What a GREAT story!
HAVE FUN at the wedding!!!
Regards
John and Cathie Heslinga
1974 Canyonlands 260
455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS,
Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd.
Edmonton, Alberta
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| Re: Battery question - sort of OT [message #236314 is a reply to message #236300] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 14:49 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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| stick miller wrote on Thu, 16 January 2014 13:34 |
Well, let me set the record straight. This is not a show car. It is simply a part of our family that I don't treat very well. When my daughter was born in 1980 I insisted that she ride home from the hospital on a drizzly day in March - no seatbelts - top down. I rode her around the football field when she was homecoming queen and she rode in it at her wedding. Over the years it has never left me by the side of the road. I used to drive it to the Masters every year and it has made the trip to the beach many times. Cats and dogs have slept in it and every year I have to clean the wasp nests out from under the cover that semi-protects it from the elements.
Now it is my son David's turn and I hate to turn him down. He asks for very little and hauling this car to the beach for his wedding is the least I can do (well, not the least). If I was getting off that easy I'd be happy. Since neither the Bride nor the Groom's parents have any money we are splitting the costs of the nuptials.
The GMC has good fresh batteries in it and the Buick takes a long narrow forklift type battery that, apparently, is gold plated. You almost have to pull the right front fender to get it in and out.
I have not the mechanical knowledge to "set up" any kind of battery arrangement and my creaky old back doesn't have too many battery "pulls" from that fender left in it. So I better stick with plan A.
Thanks for the compliment and the suggestion and thanks for letting me tell you a little about our old friend who really deserves a better home. 
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Stick,
I have two ideas (please note that I did not identify the quality)for you.
When young and a poor student, I used to get batteries from a place that "reconditioned" batteries. They were very cheap and would usually last at least until I sold (aka flipped) that car. I don't know if any of these places still exist in the south, but it is worth looking.
Other chance... Look for a commercial battery supplier. There used to be a number of things that used individual cells. If those are still available, you might be able to buy three that fit the space.
Good Luck - Enjoy the wedding.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Battery question - sort of OT [message #236318 is a reply to message #236312] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 14:59 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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No. My last car with 6V system was a 1950 Ford Convertible with flathead V-8 which I sold in May 1961!
I do suspect that Battery Minder folks probably do a 6V version, though.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~~ k2gkk @ hotmail dot com ~~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: matt7323tze@gmail.com
> Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:32:08 -0600
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Battery question - sort of OT
>
>
>
> k2gkk wrote on Thu, 16 January 2014 12:38
> > Northern Tool had a special on the Battery Minder back in late Nov/early Dec. at $19.95 each. I bought 5! Be patient, Grasshopper!
> > Shipped to local Northern Tool store, no shipping charge, but state and local tax of $8.37.
> >
> > ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> > ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> > ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
>
> Fine Mac,
>
> But was it 6 Volt??
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Members GMCMI, GMCES Going to MontgomeryThe majestic, once snow covered glacier Chaumière is in for the winter.
> '73 Glacier 23 With 4 Rear Brakes that pull as they should
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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