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New Battery Activation

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  • Joel Karam

    New Battery Activation

    Have a new R-59 (repro) which was shipped dry. The instructions state to activate the battery: fill it with Acid, let it sit for 2 hours, and then charge it 8-12 hours at 4-10 amps.

    Question: The owner of my local parts house, a real old timer who likes our old cars, told me to forget the charging step, that this only warms up the battery. He suggested filling, let it sit for 2 hours, drop it in the car and let the alternator take over.

    If I can save the overnight charging at a station where they may not follow instructions, wipe of the labeling etc, I would rather do so. Will his process work and produce a healthy battery? Any down side to this?

    Thanks Joel 67
  • Michael W.
    Expired
    • April 1, 1997
    • 4290

    #2
    Re: New Battery Activation

    As the present repo batteries need all the help they can to produce a reasonable service life, an as alternators are not designed to deep charge batteries, I think I'd go with the manufacturers directions.

    Buy yourself a battery charger and do it yourself.

    Comment

    • Bill Clupper

      #3
      Re: New Battery Activation

      I'm told that the first chage bringing the battery up to a full charge is important. Driving using the alternator won't generally do that. plus it's hard on the alternator if the battery is down.

      Comment

      • Doug Flaten

        #4
        Re: New Battery Activation

        It warms up the battery because it is charging the battery. Using the alternator will "warm" it up even faster. Go with the slow overnight charge.

        Comment

        • Dave #35697

          #5
          Re: New Battery Activation

          I just bought the same R-59 for my 67,The best method to charge that battery is exactly what their telling you,SLOW & LOW AMPS !
          Ive been around when this was the only method and it works!
          If you dont own a charger,take it to any shop and Im sure you can get it filled with acid and charged for under $10 bucks!
          Dave

          Comment

          • Joel Karam

            #6
            Re: New Battery Activation -Thanks

            Thanks team, I have the acid will fill and put it on a charger tonight. All makes sense. Thanks to all. Joel 67

            PS I have an R-59 in the car now, it sat on the garage floor, well on 2/4s, for 2 months, tested lights, WSW, turned over the car a few times, dropped it in and in cranked the L71 enough to get fuel up to the carbs and hopefully move some oil around, and then started right up. Why do I now nave a new one, the old one is leaking. Oh, it is wrapped in plastic at this point as protection aginst the leak. I will have a BatteryMinder on the new one.

            Comment

            • Dave Henderson

              #7
              Re: New Battery Activation

              Follow the label. Trickle charge it as the other posts direct. Dont leave it hooked up when the car is being stored, once it draines its curtains, mine was cashed by sitting, never could recharge it again. IUse one of those battery cables with the on-off rotary knob on it. I opted fot the good ole Delco no service version out today. I sure liked the look of the original style battery better but I drive my car too much.

              Comment

              • Duke W.
                Beyond Control Poster
                • January 1, 1993
                • 15659

                #8
                Re: New Battery Activation

                I always charge new batteries before placing a cranking load on them and this is absolutely necessary on the old style batteries that require periodic watering. Your guy is all wet. You can get away without charging a modern new "maintenance free" battery because they only have about one-third the natural discharge rate, but I always charge them, too, before installing and cranking. It's not always clear how old they are when you buy them, but a month is typical and they are partially discharged. A modern maintenaance free type battery looses about one percent a day at room temperature. The old "add water" types discharge at nearly three percent per day.

                You can buy a 2/6 amp charger for about 25 bucks at any auto supplier store. You should always charge a battery if it has sat for more than a week or two either out of the car or in the car. Insuring that the battery is fully charged before placing a cranking load on it will greatly increase its life.

                A partially discharged battery that is often asked to deliver cranking amps will have a short life.

                Duke

                Comment

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