Restoration Battery Update

[Keith R.]

I was speaking with Wayne at Battery Central Mall today and ordered a tar top battery for my '60 from him. This led to a discussion regarding the health of AAB as AAB manufactures the batteries for Battery Central Mall. Wayne tells me that AAB is in business and is actively producing batteries. He said that BCM has a vested interest and has been actively working with AAB to assist them in staying solvent and in business. Apparently, the woman who owned AAB fell ill and let the business go so the employee who actually builds the batteries has taken it over to ensure that it survived.

Wayne tells me that I should have my battery within four weeks which isn't bad. In contrast, I am on a waiting list for a reproduction jack from Paragon and they tell me that they are only getting 3 or 4 A YEAR! As I am #9 in line for one, that means a THREE YEAR WAIT!!

Alternatively, if I couldn't get my hands on a correct tar top battery for the Texas Regional in October, I was planning on purchasing a ACDelco Group 24 replacement with the expectation that I would loose 50% originality points.

[Dick W.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

, I am on a waiting list for a reproduction jack from Paragon and they tell me that they are only getting 3 or 4 A YEAR! As I am #9 in line for one, that means a THREE YEAR WAIT!!

.

I may be wrong, but one of Paragon's competitors is now making the jacks. I used to buy them from a company in OK that sold out. Sounds like the manufacturer is satisfying his retail sales before they ship to their competitors

[Frank T.]

[Chuck G.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

I started to call AAB in January 2018. Kept getting a very annoying message, containing some Jimmy Cagney "gangster" routine while I was on hold. Left my name and number and information. Never a call back... I went to their website, and clicked the "Contact Us" icon and left my information again..

I gave up. About 8 weeks ago, I got a phone call from a very pleasant lady. She explained that "they" had taken over the company, and were getting caught up on orders. She confirmed the order for my 63 battery... with date, etc.

About 2 more weeks passed, when I received another call, saying my battery would be "done" in about 3 weeks. She asked for my CC number. I gave it, and about 3 weeks later... the battery appeared on my doorstep.

The company is now called Jim's Auto Battery. All of the literature and instructions contained in the box were still from AAB..

So, looks like they're up and running again.

[Dave S.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

Chuck,
From a judging perspective how does the battery look. Hate to buy one and still take a 7 point Judging hit. If that's the case I'll stick with the current Delco Group 24 battery and take a 12 point deduction.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

The only thing I can say is that it looks as good as any other repro battery I've ever owned...

Not sure how it will judge.. I haven't had this car judged for 12 or so years...

It's a real tar top... it's dated.... but it's a gel mat battery, not a lead acid battery..

[Andy C.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

I purchased one from Wayne in May. I took a 7 point hit for it at the regional in Michigan 2018. The top is not soft.

Just an FYI

[Dave S.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

I purchased one from Wayne in May. I took a 7 point hit for it at the regional in Michigan 2018. The top is not soft.

Just an FYI

Thanks Andy. It seems the reproduction tar top batteries have always had some small configuration issue which result in a 5-7 point deduct. Looks like the most recent version is the same.

[John D.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

A customer lost points on his repro tar top battery because it did not have cell divisions.
Car was a '63-'64.
Yes AAB is up and running with a new name as Dr. Chuck said. As I told you before I received a gorgeous battery from them for my 1928 Ford.
Took about 4 weeks or so which is fine. John

[Richard F.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

Do judging manuals generally require removing the battery caps ?

Rich

[Chuck G.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

The only thing I can say is that it looks as good as any other repro battery I've ever owned...

Not sure how it will judge.. I haven't had this car judged for 12 or so years...

It's a real tar top... it's dated.... but it's a gel mat battery, not a lead acid battery..

Here are two photos I took. Should have taken pix before I installed it.

It's dated 3CV.. 63, March, Olathe KS.

[Keith R.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

When I ordered mine recently, I paid about $35 extra to have a "real" tar top instead of the hard plastic top. So, you can get it if you are willing to pay extra. I figured that if I was paying $349.00, I may as well get the date stamp and soft tar top - it's just a little bit more, RIGHT?

I purchased one from Wayne in May. I took a 7 point hit for it at the regional in Michigan 2018. The top is not soft.

Just an FYI

[Keith R.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

No, the Judging Reference Gude specifically states, "Do not remove caps for inspection."

Do judging manuals generally require removing the battery caps ?

Rich

[Keith R.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

Update on Restoration Batteries/Jim's Auto Battery via Wayne from Battery Central Mall:

"Hi Keith,



But this is what happened since you placed your order which caused a backlog again. The week of July 23^rdth and the week of August 13^th they said they ran out of power cells and the epoxy that seals the power cells in the case. Production started-up again on the week of August 20^th. So that is 3 weeks of down time which caused delays on production of all orders.



Once the manufacturer has the orders they can pull them in any order and we have no control of that which means your order could ship at any time. But my best guess would be your order would ship the week of September 17^th
We are not happy about what has happened either because we were getting close to changing our status of at least 6 weeks to get a battery built and shipped to 4 weeks but that is on hold now until this backlog is cleared up."

[John D.]

Re: Restoration Battery Update

Thanks Keith. Like I said before if one is in a hurry for a show or etc and needs a battery right away forget it. If you have a lot of patience & time then you will eventually get your battery. John