battery additive

[Domenic T.]

TRUE STORY

Way back when they sold an additive that prolonged the life of a battery.

I think the claim was that it stopped the batterk from sulphating (if thats the right word).
I was given a battery in 1994 by someone that said it was in his car to long and batteries only lasted 2 years in the desert where we live Palm Springs.
It is a Interstate battery and I put it in my airport tug . It starts the tug every time I use it, and that's about once a month. The tug takes about 30 sec to get fuel to ithe carb and I only run it for a short time when I use it.
He said he put an additive in it but can't remember where he got it.

Does any one know what that stuff was? I can't get more than a few years out of batteries in our cars out here and I check & clean them on a regular bassis.

DOM

[Chuck G.]

Re: battery additive

J C Whitney used to sell a product called ?? VR X or ?? VR somthing.

The material was in a tube, like toothpaste. On the box was a picture of Lee Petty, father of Richard Petty, grandfather of Kyle Petty.

Ol' Lee "endorsed" this product. I haven't seen it for years. Maybe JC Whitney still sells it.

Chuck

[Chuck G.]

Re: battery additive

JUST came to me.

It's VX 6.

THAT'S the stuff Whitney used to sell. As I recall, it was some type of cadmium additive.

Chuck

[Bill S.]

Re: battery additive

VX-6 is available here in the Lee Petty box for only $12.50 for 3 tubes

http://www.blackmarketantiques.com/1960s-petty-battery-additive-p-4033.html?osCsid=15e6a46e486ea6152861b7a10534d599

JC Whitney still carries it new for $10.99 for a 2 oz bottle or $25.99 for a quart. It is now made by Solder-It

[Terry M.]

Re: battery additive

Years ago I got something that came from Britain. It was a food preservative MBDT (or something like that.) and came as a powder. Pete Lindahl will remember exactly what it was. I added it to the R79 I put in the 1970 when i was showing it for Duntov. I haven't checked that battery in years.

[Jim D.]

Re: battery additive

Fall 88 Restorer has an article about adding EDTA to your battery. I tried it and it worked great as did the VX 6.

[Mike B.]

Re: battery additive

Hey DOM,

Great info from all. I'm not plugging any brand here other than to say that I bought an Interstate 1000 amp battery and had it in my '65 for 14 years! Never let me down. And I hate to admit this, but without a disconnect or tender installed. Those were the years my garage was uninsulated too. Serious temp variations.

About a year ago, I installed a different brand (reputible) and it recently oozed electrolite and trashed my battery tray and shield. Frame paint too.

I think I'll consider an Interstate battery again.

Mike

[Jim D.]

Re: battery additive

.

I think I'll consider an Interstate battery again.

Mike

Good idea. Stay away from Delco. I'm on my 4th battery and my truck isn't even 3 years old. Many have had the same experience with the newer Delco's.

[Chuck G.]

Re: battery additive

Good idea. Stay away from Delco. I'm on my 4th battery and my truck isn't even 3 years old. Many have had the same experience with the newer Delco's.

That not comforting to hear.

I just put a new Delco Group 24 6 yr. battery in my 63. The repro battery finally died after about 8 years. Since I'm not showing the car, I couldn't see spending $300. on the repro (including shipping), so I bought the Delco for about $85.00

Chuck

[Terry M.]

Re: battery additive

Fall 88 Restorer has an article about adding EDTA to your battery. I tried it and it worked great as did the VX 6.

That is the stuff I used.