Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

**Gene M.** · October 5, 2014, 08:31 AM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Larry,
Why not just get a good battery and not screw around with a bad battery. The entire idea is to maintain the cars as they were. A dry cell battery ("no acid") is not original equipment. You should be able to start the car numerous times, flip heads lights, etc and not have an issue. What did you intend to do about lights, wipers, cigar lighter, blower motor speeds, radio, key alarm, door jamb/ajar lights and everything else?

**Kenneth B.** · October 5, 2014, 09:30 AM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Don't believe you can change anything once the judging has started from ops on.

**Rob M.** · October 5, 2014, 09:59 AM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Larry,

I would suggest making sure that your battery is in tip top shape prior to the meet and then using a cut-off switch during all the judging that does not require the use of the battery. Opening the head lights by the exterior team should not put any stress on a good battery. Most (if not everything else) is checked during operations while the car is running. How old is your battery?

Good luck

**Duke W.** · October 5, 2014, 10:36 AM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

The problem with trailered car batteries is that the engines aren't run long enough to keep the battery fully charged. Make sure the battery is fully charged before departing for the event, and if you place the car on the field the day before judging, remove the battery, charge it in the hotel room overnight and reinstall it before judging starts.

One cold start and operation of the accessories should not be a problem for a good fully charged battery, but charge it fully when you get home.

One thing to consider is that repeated starting with a partially discharged battery can cause many batteries to fail early because repeated high loads when significantly discharged will cause the battery to degrade and never return to a full charge.

That's why on a collector car you should charge the battery before driving if it has been more than a week. Even my "daily driver" typically only gets used a two or three times per month, so I charge the inexpensive Johnson Controls battery if it has been more than a few days since I drove it. That battery turned 13 last month, and shows no signs of giving up.

Duke

**Larry E.** · October 5, 2014, 01:52 PM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Thanks to all that responded. The reproduction battery I got is about 3 years old. Works fine (I always charge the battery before going on a trip) if not pushed too much. It passes judging fine w/o deductions. Probably would be touch and go if car had to sit 3 days (Regional). All I'm worried about is starting the car when
needed. Once car is started no problem working accessorys or moving the car as the alternator does its job. But still need my original question answered. Is it against the rules as indicated what I would use the second battery for??? Larry

P.S. Really don't want to keep pulling the battery in/out of the car to charge at the room every night. That would be a PITA!

**Patrick H.** · October 5, 2014, 02:46 PM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Originally posted by Larry Evoskis (16324)

Thanks to all that responded. The reproduction battery I got is about 3 years old. Works fine (I always charge the battery before going on a trip) if not pushed too much. It passes judging fine w/o deductions. Probably would be touch and go if car had to sit 3 days (Regional). All I'm worried about is starting the car when
needed. Once car is started no problem working accessorys or moving the car as the alternator does its job. But still need my original question answered. Is it against the rules as indicated what I would use the second battery for??? Larry

P.S. Really don't want to keep pulling the battery in/out of the car to charge at the room every night. That would be a PITA!

I'm surprised that for 3 years old it doesn't seem to be doing that well. Mine is 10(?) years old and still works fine.
I would think about keeping it on a Battery MINDer or now CTEK 3300 charger (what I use for the C6) full time, and you may find that it works far better on the days you need to use it.
Also be sure to check the battery cable connections, the ground cable connection and think about replacing the green knob battery disconnect if that's what you currently use. They do not have a great track record, and I would not be shocked if your problem may lie right there. Increased resistance in one of these locations would make it harder to start the car no matter what.

Patrick

**Steven S.** · October 5, 2014, 05:39 PM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Normally the car is only started for operations. At a regional, that can take place early in the process. Rest of the tim e the battery shut off switch should be used so that interior judges are not causing probelms with the doors open. As far as exterior. I.e. headlights, on a 68, they are vacuum activated, not electric. They can be pushed up unless you
do not want that done. Then just turn o n the battery for a minute and run them up assuming you have good vacuum. We normally try not to start the car since we do not want a hot engine/exhaust for the engine and chassis judges.

**Gary H.** · October 6, 2014, 07:08 AM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

The quality of the repro batteries is questionable at best. They are not really powerful enough even when fully charged to cold crank a big block. They also barely cut it when the engine is hot, for example if you stop for gas, the car barely has enough juice to turn the starter. I called and spoke to their customer service and the only suggestion they had was to back off of my timing a bit. This was when my battery was 1 month old.

I never got around to complaining to restoration battery about what happened to my car and to another 69 at the national. They only put one small bead on each side of the battery top when assembling it to the case. My top popped off the battery without me knowing. If I had noticed, I could have easily glued it back into place. Must have been because of the temperature change from 90 degrees outdoors to the indoor convention hall. Both 69s took a 50% standard deduction of 10 points each because the top cover of the batteries were lose. The ruling was challenged, but stayed in place because of the fact that the batteries no longer appeared to be original so could not be judged as if they were original. The good news...inside the battery is a smaller optima type battery, so when it goes bad, I can just replace the guts.

I couldnt wait to get home from judging...swapped back to my 3 year old over the counter Delco 800CCA battery and no more issues. I never adjusted the timing and both the cold crank and the hot start issues are gone.

**Larry E.** · October 6, 2014, 07:27 AM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

OK; got the answer (No). If I do go I'll bring it(Hot Box) only to use at the end of the meet when we are "released". That way I know I can get back to the
trailer. I'll still take the newer repro batterys over the original type because they are a lot lighter and easier to work with. As we all know putting in the battery
on a C3 with that bad angle is also a PITA.(Also a chance the battery will leak a little acid) Thanks; Larry

**Gary C.** · October 6, 2014, 09:15 AM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Larry,

Is your battery maintenance free type or an Optima type battery? Optima type batteries should be charged with one of the newer type chargers such as the CTEK 7002. From what I've read regular old type battery chargers will ruin the maintenance free batteries.

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Multi-7002-Battery-Charger/dp/B000FRLO9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410614606&sr=8-1&keywords=ctek+multi+us+7002

Gary
....

**Mark D.** · October 6, 2014, 09:45 AM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

If your reproduction battery gets through a Regional/National judging event without a big deduction, count yourself lucky. Repop batteries, although it is a good they are available, are not even close with regards to size and configuration, at least where an R59S is concerned. Typically, with a knowledeable judge, there will be a 9 or 10 point deduction, regardless whether the top is glued down, or not:-)

Certain configuration issues can be overcome but, others can't. With a repop battery, if certain configuration issues are dealt with, tapping the side of the case can reveal a clue to a judge, although it really isn't necessary.

The only way to assure full credit during judging is to have an original battery.

**Patrick H.** · October 6, 2014, 10:44 AM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Originally posted by Gary Chesnut (5895)

Larry,

Is your battery maintenance free type or an Optima type battery? Optima type batteries should be charged with one of the newer type chargers such as the CTEK 7002. From what I've read regular old type battery chargers will ruin the maintenance free batteries.

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Multi-7002-Battery-Charger/dp/B000FRLO9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410614606&sr=8-1&keywords=ctek+multi+us+7002

Gary
....

Gary,

The 3300 will work too at about half the cost.

Patrick

**Larry E.** · October 6, 2014, 01:57 PM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Originally posted by Gary Chesnut (5895)

Larry,

Is your battery maintenance free type or an Optima type battery? Optima type batteries should be charged with one of the newer type chargers such as the CTEK 7002. From what I've read regular old type battery chargers will ruin the maintenance free batteries.

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Multi-7002-Battery-Charger/dp/B000FRLO9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410614606&sr=8-1&keywords=ctek+multi+us+7002

Gary
....

Gary: Battery is from "Restoration Battery"; they advertise btw in the "Driveline". Larry

**Larry E.** · October 6, 2014, 02:02 PM

Re: Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

[QUOTE=Mark Donnally (13264);722769]
Certain configuration issues can be overcome but, others can't. With a repop battery, if certain configuration issues are dealt with, tapping the side of the case can reveal a clue to a judge, although it really isn't necessary.

Mark: If a judge can tap the side of my Repro Battery he better have the size hands of a 3 year old! There is very little room in there. BTW: Battery passed 100%
at Bloomington Gold. FYI--Larry

Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

Can we take two batteries to a Regional event??

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