point deductions for the reproduction batteries

[Brad M.]

I am curious how the anitque auto battery reproduction of the R-89S battery would score/how many points that one should expect to get deducted if using one (assuming that vent caps and hoses are used along with it).

I think that I had been told a while back that if you used a current style AC Delco battery and had the vent tubes and hoses somewhere in the battery compartment, you would lose about 12 points.

Any help on comparison between point deductions would be appreciated.

[Joel F.]

Re: point deductions for the reproduction batteries

Hi Brad,

I'd contact the appropriate team lead. They can tell you exactly what your options are and how the point break downs go. I do not think the current Delco would be a 12 pt deduct but unfortunately I do not have any reference documents to even try to substantiate that comment. From a point per dollar perspective it is hard to beat the Delco.

Joel

[Pat M.]

Re: point deductions for the reproduction batteries

Brad, I think I'm the one who told you I lost 12 points at a Chapter meet with a current Delco and no vent tubes or hoses. I have no idea if that deduct was appropriate, or if you would suffer the same deduct at any other meet, I just wanted to give you an idea of the range of possible point losses.

[John H.]

Re: point deductions for the reproduction batteries

The range of standard deductions for batteries are shown in Section 4 (page 21) of the Corvette Judging Reference Manual, available from our on-line store at the top of the page.

[Reba W.]

Re: point deductions for the reproduction batteries

The Judging Reference Manual mandates 50% credit for any current Delco, and current judging sheets allot 25 points to the battery AND caps. I usually give the caps 5 pts. if they are present and deduct 10 for the battery, but that is arbitrary as points are not spelled out per item. If caps are missing, I take 15.

From the JG:
Current reproduction batteries for the R89W are undetectable from original; however, R89S reproductions are molded from plastic while the originals were molded from rubber. The separators on the underside of the top of the reproduction R 89S batteries telegraph their location through the top. Original batteries do not have depressions where the separators are molded to the top. Make a deduction for this obvious configuration difference.


The JFM calls for 30% deduction for minor variations in the battery, which is what I deem the visible cell divisions. That works out to about 2 pts. Calculate pts. per dollar between the choices.

[Brad M.]

Re: point deductions for the reproduction batteries

Thanks everyone.

I had read the judging guide and have scoring sheets, but was unsure how the points get divided up until reading this.

Reba, that is exactly the info that I was interested in. So basically eight points more for the repro R89S than the current service replacement Delco. I basically have both of these, but do not have a working original, so was trying to weigh the cost/benefit of getting a true original.

[Reba W.]

Re: correction to point deductions for the reproduction batteries

After my post yesterday, a car owner judged at the national emailed why he received a 6-point deduction for the R89S battery. The two points I mentioned yesterday were incorrect. 30% of 20 would be 6.

Keep in mind that some judges may not break the points at 20 for the battery and 5 for the caps and hoses.