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I'm putting my '63 together and intend to drive it during the nice months and store it during the less than nice weather (New Jersey.) I cringe at the thought of having to pull the expansion tank to get the battery out for the winter, so I'm contemplating putting a battery in a marine battery box behind the seats with long cables and a quick disconnect. Obviously, I won't be having the car judged. Another option might be to use an Optima, possibly with a fake box in the original location and leave it in over the winter. Any suggestions? Thanx!
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Re: Mid Year battery choice
Why not just disconnect it during the winter and leave it in? I do that for mine and the '62 battery is just showing signs of weakness after 6 years. A charge in the spring after chacking water levels and on the way.Bill Clupper #618 -
Re: Mid Year battery choice
Disconnect the battery and leave a battery tender on it, or charge it once a month with a low rate charger.
Old technology maintenance type batteries discharge about 3 percent per day at room temperature; one percent for modern "maintenance free" batteries. The discharge rate is a function of temperature, and the higher the temperature the higher the discharge rate, so storing a car in cool to cold condtions is best.
The only risk is that a severely discharged battery can freeze in very cold weather, but a battery tender or monthly charge of a battery in good condition will keep the specific gravity of the electrolyte high enough to prevent freezing, even is subzero weather.
DukeComment
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Re: Mid Year battery choice
Thanks for the advice.Comment
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Re: Mid Year battery choice
if you use a very small batery [i got mine at checkers] you should be able to use the strap to lift it in and out without diddling with the tank. lots of cranking power and cost about $35.
do you still have your heater hoses connected? if so, why. you said it is not a show car and it is only a warm weather driver. i disconnected mine and have not regretted it. i have beter access to the #6 and 8 plugs, and i don't have to worry about getting a leak in the heater core, because it has been empty for three years. doing that really makes it easy to pull the battery.Comment
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Re: Mid Year battery choice
Leave the battery in place, but get one of those battery disconnect switches - either the blade type or the green knob type. For safety's sake, you should disconnect the battery on an old car and one that will be stored for extended periods. But you don't need to remove it to disconnect it. If you're afraid of it freezing, put a charger on it once a month.Comment
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