Restoration Battery

[James C.]

I have a Restoration Battery (89W) in my 1971 454 Vette. I purchased it in August 2006. It will not hold a charge. It is not a lead acid battery, but a sealed unit in a repro case. What is the life of these. The car is rarely driven and I have charged it twice..Thanks! Jim

[Bill C.]

Re: Restoration Battery

Not to much

I'm in the same boat. My warranty from the distributor ran out.
Has me a bit peeved - battery ran me around $300 or so - I figured it last a LOT longer.

I kept it disconnected and in the battery compartment.

I have a new DELCO in the car now - guess I'm going to have to spend another $300 again for the Texas meet in October

I wish someone would make a real lead battery for the car - they used to and then they went to this "new" sealed battery - crud if you ask me.

My rant .......

[Bob B.]

Re: Restoration Battery

I think the use of a trickle charger is in order. Batteries that are not used, go down, have to be charged, and repeat go bad quickly.

Bob

[Terry M.]

Re: Restoration Battery

Bob has the right idea. Depending on the type of construction, some batteries are more tolerant of discharges than others -- but in the end each discharge reduces the life of the battery.

Be sure what you get to charge the battery is designed to sense the battery state of charge and reduce the charge rate to nothing if the battery is fully charged. A standard trickle charger will ruin the battery, so don't go that route. One brand is "Battery Tender," but there are others. Some even come with the ability to treat a sulphated battery. If you have a lead-acid battery this could be an advantage.

FWIW: The 2008 Corvette owners manual recommends a battery tender (not the brand name, but a generic term) for winter storage -- but batteries in the new Corvettes are a whole other issue -- let's not go there in this thread.

You should be aware AC Delco no longer manufacturers batteries, so even though it has the Delco name and logo on it -- someone else makes it.

[Donald B.]

Re: Restoration Battery

I have two cars with restoration batteries. They don't hold a charge for extended periods of time but when I drive the cars on frequent basis (monthly) I have had no problems. Each battery is nearly two years old at this time.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Restoration Battery

Bob has the right idea. Depending on the type of construction, some batteries are more tolerant of discharges than others -- but in the end each discharge reduces the life of the battery.

Be sure what you get to charge the battery is designed to sense the battery state of charge and reduce the charge rate to nothing if the battery is fully charged. A standard trickle charger will ruin the battery, so don't go that route. One brand is "Battery Tender," but there are others. Some even come with the ability to treat a sulphated battery. If you have a lead-acid battery this could be an advantage.

FWIW: The 2008 Corvette owners manual recommends a battery tender (not the brand name, but a generic term) for winter storage -- but batteries in the new Corvettes are a whole other issue -- let's not go there in this thread.

You should be aware AC Delco no longer manufacturers batteries, so even though it has the Delco name and logo on it -- someone else makes it.

Agree on all counts.

My 72 has a Restoration Battery in it. 3 years later it's still going fine. But, I disconnect it every time I leave the car, and each spring (like quite soon) I put the Battery Minder on it before I do anything. I'm hoping to get a year out of it in case I think about Bloomington next year.

My Battery Minder spent the winter on my 08, and Dad keeps one now on his 02 as well.

Patrick

[Stuart F.]

Re: Restoration Battery

I too have a Restoration Battery in my 63. To be clear, it was purchased from the company with the same name as advertises in the Driveline and are located in Cincinnati. It is the Lead Acid type. I have had it in my Vette about three years and I also use the Battery Minder Plus from them as well. When I installed it, I had to get the acid charge kit from NAPA. I have had it in and out of the car several times, including for one heater core change and another to clean up the battery box. I lifted it in and out w/o any spillage both times.

My only problem, living here in Florida is when I let it sit a little longer than usual and forget to check the electrolyte level. It falled me ONLY when I let the cells evaporate down too far. I use one Green Eye to check it, but that hasn't helped so I make it a part of my start up routine to check and add distilled water when needed (getting to all the caps is not easy).

I use an interrupt switch on the ground cable, but not the type marketed by Restoration Battery and many other suppliers (the twist knob type). Mine is the Knife switch type. It may just be a matter of personal preference, but I heard a lot of horror stories that if the knob was not fully tight or fully loose, an arching condition can occur that (if nothing else) may let corrosion build up leading to a bad connection. With the knife switch, though not as pretty, you can't hardly go wrong.

Oh yes, I still have an Optima standing by.

Stu Fox

[Bill I.]

Re: Restoration Battery

Hey Stu, For filling the battery, use the wife's Turkey Baster.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Restoration Battery

Bill;

Believe that is what I do use, but I've had it so long I'm not sure what it's original purpose was for. They (I) used to have a bottle for battery filling that had a nozzle that stuck down into the cell, and would close off or stop the filling at the correct water level (electrolyte). I don't recall exactly how it worked or whether it worked well, but it was a lot less messy. With the turkey baster, you end up giving the entire battery a bath and it is hard to reach the inner cells with your finger over the end to hold in the water. Also, it is hard to see in those cells to check their level.

I can't beleve I spent this much time and verbage on such an old subject. I wish I had my bottle back, but guess it was a casualty of four moves in ten years. On my last one, I gave away my Holley carbs and all my Holley service parts and pieces to a neighborhood kid with a Plymouth Duster. Figured, I guess, it would be me, my 63, and my AFB for the rest of my life, Ha!

Stu Fox

[Gerard Q.]

Re: Restoration Battery

My lead acid resto battery has been in my 71 for 4yrs now and shows no signs of slowing down. The key I think is to disconnect it every time you park and use a Battery Tender regularly. That's what I do.

BatComp.JPG

[Terry M.]

Re: Restoration Battery

Bill;

Believe that is what I do use, but I've had it so long I'm not sure what it's original purpose was for. They (I) used to have a bottle for battery filling that had a nozzle that stuck down into the cell, and would close off or stop the filling at the correct water level (electrolyte). I don't recall exactly how it worked or whether it worked well, but it was a lot less messy. With the turkey baster, you end up giving the entire battery a bath and it is hard to reach the inner cells with your finger over the end to hold in the water. Also, it is hard to see in those cells to check their level.

I can't beleve I spent this much time and verbage on such an old subject. I wish I had my bottle back, but guess it was a casualty of four moves in ten years. On my last one, I gave away my Holley carbs and all my Holley service parts and pieces to a neighborhood kid with a Plymouth Duster. Figured, I guess, it would be me, my 63, and my AFB for the rest of my life, Ha!

Stu Fox

Stu -- those old bottle fillers are almost obsolete now, but I still occasionally see them at automotive swap meets. It is the only kind of thing I can find any more at those places. I was surprised how many people have no clue what they are for.

[Don L.]

Re: Restoration Battery

I'm in year 2 with my new style, maintenance free Restoration Battery, and I've had no issues. I keep the "Battery Tender Plus" on it when down for extended periods only. Gerard, thanks for posting the pic of your setup. I notice your battery/cable orientation (connections facing front) seems to be 180 degees from what's shown in my '72 AIM. Which is right?

[Terry M.]

Re: Restoration Battery

Gerard has it backwards.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Restoration Battery

I have a lead acid battery from Restoration and I use a green knob every time I shut the car down and a Battery Minder that de-sulphates every time I put the car in the garage. I just leave the "pigtale" coming through the shoulder belt guide under the headrest and plug in as soon as I shut the engine off. It's 4 years old now and as of Monday night it was as strong as the day I got it.
Jeff

[Gary M.]

Re: Restoration Battery

I'm starting my third season in the North East with a Restoration Battery in my '67 427. I opted for the Gel type. I store the car in a heated garage (55degrees) use a battery quick disconnect when car is idle for more than a week or so and zero (knock on wood) issues so far. Just started using a "Battery Tender" but for no particular reason other than thinking about the age of the battery. So far, so good! Gary M. '67 427 Roadster, '94 ZR1