New world battery record !

[Noel K.]

I purchased a Restoration Battery in late May of 2008 for a mid year to gain some valuable judging points. Drove the car to a judging event and a couple of short trips around town. I did not trickle charge the battery while the car was sitting and not driven on a regular basis.

I went to start the car the other day and the battery was dead ! Testing same reveals it has a bad cell and will not hold a charge.

In fairness, I have not contacted the seller yet so I do not know how effective the warranty will or will not be. Regardless, three months seems just a little short to me for the functional "life" of a battery - especially at a cost of $280 ! May be the most expensive non-durable part I've ever purchased ? Based on calculated longevity vs cost I'm certain of it.

[Norm C.]

Re: New world battery record !

Noel.... please follow this up with Restoration Battery's response. I was about to place an order for one, but will now wait to hear how they handle the warranty.... including the shipping costs???? I'm sure others are interested as well. btw.... I learned that RB doesn't actually make the batteries. Evidently Antique Batteries has the molds and manufacture's OK to produce them. I may buy directly from them.... however their retail price is the same as RB's.

[Stuart F.]

Re: New world battery record !

In all fairness to Restoration Battery, I believe you should contact them first and give them a chance to make good on your battery before you start waving the "I've been ripped off flag!" on this forum. The folks there are long time NCRS members and are trying to provide a good product for fellow members. I have had good luck with mine - going on 6 years now and have met the owner at a number of events. I once complained about the caps loosing the paint finish on the letters and he gave me a complete new set and advised me to use them only at shows, that they otherwise would always do that in normal driving conditions. I thought that was a nice gesture and I was impressed.

Stu Fox

[William D.]

Re: New world battery record !

I had a similar problem with restoration battery. Battery went bad in 4 months. I called them and sent battery back. I received a new battery. They were good to deal with.

Bill

[Noel K.]

Re: New world battery record !

In response to Norm - et al - I have not started waving the "i've been ripped off flag" yet. Just stating the facts as i know them at this point. And if you'll note I indicated I had not pursued the warranty issue at this point.

I spoke with the owner of R.B. when I puchased it. He did, in fact, inform me that he was not the manufacturer; rather, a distributor. My intent was not to impune the seller's integrity, reputation, nor customer service practice - either past or present.

My intent was to make others aware of a potential problem with this component. My apologies to those who either didn't take the time to carefully read my post; or if they did, misinterpreted my purpose and intent.

I was informed by the seller that if there was a problem with the battery warranty I am to return it to the manufacturer - not the distributor from whom it was purchased.

[Stuart F.]

Re: New world battery record !

Norm;

I guess I am the "et Al" you are referring to. Perhaps if you had not titled your article as you did; "New world battery record !" and stated you had not yet attempted to check on the warranty with the vendor, I would not have felt you were waving a flag. I took the time to read your thread and that's the impression I got. Sorry.

Stu Fox

[Norm C.]

Re: New world battery record !

Stu,,,, I'm betting your last post on this thread was meant for Noel rather than me....just clarifying.......thanks

[Stuart F.]

Re: New world battery record !

Norm:

You are entirely correct. My humblest apologies. I guess "Noel's" response was so long that I did not quote it as I should have to keep track of who I was responding to. Even then I failed to point out that he used the "thumbs down" symbol which is sort of an exclamation mark to his protest.

Have a good day.

Stu Fox

[Norm C.]

Re: New world battery record !

Noel... following up on your original post..... How was your experience with Restoration Battery when you informed them of the dead cell?

[Joe L.]

Re: New world battery record !

I purchased a Restoration Battery in late May of 2008 for a mid year to gain some valuable judging points. Drove the car to a judging event and a couple of short trips around town. I did not trickle charge the battery while the car was sitting and not driven on a regular basis.

I went to start the car the other day and the battery was dead ! Testing same reveals it has a bad cell and will not hold a charge.

In fairness, I have not contacted the seller yet so I do not know how effective the warranty will or will not be. Regardless, three months seems just a little short to me for the functional "life" of a battery - especially at a cost of $280 ! May be the most expensive non-durable part I've ever purchased ? Based on calculated longevity vs cost I'm certain of it.

Noel-----


I've said this numerous times before: these "restoration" batteries are fine for garnering judging points. However, you would NEVER catch me using one and RELYING ON ONE on a regular basis. Never. No matter how many folks tell me that they've used one for years with no problems, you'd still NEVER catch me doing it. I use NEW Delco batteries. Period. If there's a problem (and, I've never had a problem within warranty period for a Delco battery), getting a replacement is easy and convenient. When the battery is out of warranty, it's time to buy a new one. Period.

[John D.]

Re: New world battery record !

In all fairness to Restoration Battery, I believe you should contact them first and give them a chance to make good on your battery before you start waving the "I've been ripped off flag!" on this forum. The folks there are long time NCRS members and are trying to provide a good product for fellow members. I have had good luck with mine - going on 6 years now and have met the owner at a number of events. I once complained about the caps loosing the paint finish on the letters and he gave me a complete new set and advised me to use them only at shows, that they otherwise would always do that in normal driving conditions. I thought that was a nice gesture and I was impressed.

Stu Fox

Extremelly well written Stuart, Tom Kobman is a long time well respected NCRS member. He is one of us. In fact he lives not far from the NCRS home office. There are not too many fellows on this planet as nice as Tom is. He is my pal. My friend. Tom stands behind his product at all cost. I have been buying batteries from Tom since he started and never once had a problem with him or his batteries. Only problem I had is the same as yours Stu. The paint comes off the caps. So I replaced the caps with used ones. If I had asked Tom he would have given me new ones.
My 63 LWC has a tar top full of finger prints from CC. But I don't trust it as it is old as sin. Car still starts OK but cranking power isn't there. So I bought one of Toms expensive sealed batteries as a back up. That battery will not discharge. Still in his original box. Reminds me of the old JC Penney sealed up flat top batteries. My old driver 63 had a JCP battery in it for 8 years and the only reason I replaced it was local guys were on my case that it was not a Delco. JD

[Bill M.]

Re: New world battery record !

I had a restoration battery that i bought for my 67. The battery lasted about 2 years. Fast forward to feb 2008 and my 67 died while parked at a local Pub. the battery was a Die hard my son looks at the date code and said dad this battery is less than 2 years old. I had no memory of changing the battery. We took the battery out and went back to Sears. The kid at the counter said he had never seen a Die Hard like this one. He looks in a book and it turns out the battery is 11 years old. The code was for 1996 not 2006. I bought another one.
Bill

[Edward B.]

Re: New world battery record !

On June 14, 1986 I installed a Sears Die-Hard (#43106) in my 300SL. Replaced it on October 9, 2000 with a Sears Plus Start 60. Fourteen years isn't too bad for a battery. The Plus Start is still going strong almost 8 years later as well. No battery conditioner or trickle charger
ever used. Perhaps just blind luck!

[Patrick T.]

Re: New world battery record !

I've had a restoration battery in my '67 for five years and I also bought one of those battery minder's (trickle charger). You have to keep those chargers on the battery from day one, all the time you are not running the car. Those batteries are old technology, you know. BTW, my battery is still working like a champ. PT

[Donald B.]

Re: New world battery record !

Have RBs in my '65 Mustang HIPO and the girlfriend's "69 Z28 - both are two years old and still working fine. It will be interesting to see how long they last.

I have a fake tar top on a Delco in the '62 Corvette - you can't see the battery very well so why waste the money was my thinking.