Opinions on Charging a Restoration Battery

[James W.]

So I bit the bullet and bought a tar top restoration battery for flight judging knowing that the life expectancy for these batteries are not the best. When I opened the shipping box there was tons of warnings and literature stating that you should only use a specific type of battery maintenance trickle charger which just happens to be the one that restoration battery sells. I have Battery Tender chargers and have used them with no problems on regular maintenance free AC Delco batteries with good success.

Anyone have any opinion why I can't continue to use my Battery Tender charger on this battery?



Thanks,

James West

[Kurt G.]

Re: Opinions on Charging a Restoration Battery

Use the Battery Tender on the "new" battery. Don't let it run down and don't hit it with over 2 amps.

[Dan H.]

Re: Opinions on Charging a Restoration Battery

Hi James, here's my experience with the RB. I have the expensive battery charger they recommend. It is great. I forgot to put my batery on the 8 amp setting for maintenance charging, instead put it on 2 amps whenever I parked the 64 for a few days. After 3 years, I noticed I had little extra cranking power left if the car didn't catch right away. Almost got stuck at a gas station. Had the battery tested and it was shot. My friends RB also got low, so we changed his too. I put it on the 8 amp setting on workbench and it came totally back to life, 13.5 volts etc. Conclusion: the RB will take a lower storage setting if held at 2 amps for maintenance, likes the 8 amp surge then cycles just fine.
Dan

[Rick A.]

Re: Opinions on Charging a Restoration Battery

personally have NEVER used any trickle charger on anything and Vettes, tractor, etc. all fire right up after sitting for months at a time

[Michael H.]

Re: Opinions on Charging a Restoration Battery

So I bit the bullet and bought a tar top restoration battery for flight judging knowing that the life expectancy for these batteries are not the best. When I opened the shipping box there was tons of warnings and literature stating that you should only use a specific type of battery maintenance trickle charger which just happens to be the one that restoration battery sells. I have Battery Tender chargers and have used them with no problems on regular maintenance free AC Delco batteries with good success.

Anyone have any opinion why I can't continue to use my Battery Tender charger on this battery?



Thanks,

James West

Jim,

I went with RB charger and it's really nice as it does the AGM or the acid type of battery. I believe to keep your warranty valid you have to use there charger. After spending $300 for a battery what's another $80 for a charger. I use my Battery Tender for my lawn more or other items but the RB charger is used strickly for the Vet.

Mike

[Jim D.]

Re: Opinions on Charging a Restoration Battery

RB is a re-seller of batteries assembled by Antique Auto Battery. They are a reproduction case with an Odyssey Battery inside. If you want to know all about your battery and how it should be charged, go to the people that actually make it - http://www.odysseybattery.com/default.aspx

[Edward B.]

Re: Opinions on Charging a Restoration Battery

Personally have NEVER used any trickle charger on anything and Vettes, tractor, etc. all fire right up after sitting for months at a time

+1 Once got 17 years from a Sears 36 Month (Green Top) battery; average life for my automotive batteries is 10-11 years. Change marine batteries on a 4 year cycle as the problems associated with failure are usually greater than with automobiles.

[Rick A.]

Re: Opinions on Charging a Restoration Battery

+1 Once got 17 years from a Sears 36 Month (Green Top) battery; average life for my automotive batteries is 10-11 years. Change marine batteries on a 4 year cycle as the problems associated with failure are usually greater than with automobiles.

Ed - my point exactly! Similar situation to you with Sears battery that lasted almost 16 years and never removed it from the tractor; never used a trickle charge and it fired up first thing in the Spring every year. Have had same restoration battery in my 1963 Z06 for almost 6 years now and it still fires up first thing in the Spring after sitting from early November when I don't drive it any more because of ice storms/salt on the road, etc.

[Jim R.]

Re: Opinions on Charging a Restoration Battery

Hi Jim I have had one in my 65 since 2008 and just use a regular charger at 6 0r 2 amp and it has worked great it never seems to go low but I always use my quick disconnect. JR