Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

[James W.]

I bought a Delco-Remy Restoration Battery for flight judging back in June of 2014 and it went belly up last summer even while using the overpriced battery maintainer they said I absolutely said I had to use to keep it charged. The battery and charger have been sitting beside my work bench since then. Has anyone ever sent their battery back for re-conditioning or for a core refund if there is such a thing or should I just pitch both of them in the recycling dumpster at work?

Also can their overpriced battery maintainer be used on a regular 12 volt lead-acid battery?


Thanks,

James

[Patrick H.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

Which maintainer to they currently sell?

I use the Battery MINDer on my older cars, including the Restoration Battery I had, with no issues at all. The Restoration Battery lasted 10 years. Given this, when I found them for $20 each on sale last fall I bought 3 of them to add to the ones I already own. I'm a believer.

On my C6 I use the CTEK charger, and it works quite well.

[Leif A.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

I bought a Delco-Remy Restoration Battery for flight judging back in June of 2014 and it went belly up last summer even while using the overpriced battery maintainer they said I absolutely said I had to use to keep it charged. The battery and charger have been sitting beside my work bench since then. Has anyone ever sent their battery back for re-conditioning or for a core refund if there is such a thing or should I just pitch both of them in the recycling dumpster at work?

Also can their overpriced battery maintainer be used on a regular 12 volt lead-acid battery?


Thanks,

James

James,
This question is asked with absolutely no intent of disrespect...was the battery sitting on a concrete floor all this time?

[Timothy B.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

James,

These batteries are a big waste of $$$ IMO. I would not pitch it, I read somewhere they can be overhauled but I can't offer any other onformation regarding source.

I bought one for my 63 a long time ago from another source and it lasted about 18-24 months. I read the cases used were actually left over stock that was acquired so I kept the battery.

[John W.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

According to Snopes.com the battery on a concrete floor is an outdated concept. Long ago when batteries weren't made the same way as they are now they could actually leak a tiny bit of battery acid through the case. On a concrete floor that could conduct current to ground and drain the battery.

Modern batteries are not susceptible to this. In fact the cooler concrete may slow the natural discharge a minuet amount.

[Jim D.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

[QUOTE=Timothy Barbieri (6542);

I would not pitch it, I read somewhere they can be overhauled but I can't offer any other onformation regarding source.

[/QUOTE]

The battery is made by Antique Auto Battery and has a small gel battery inside of a reproduction case. The battery is a special size made just for them by Odyssey Battery. I had an issue with one and was told that the case must be destroyed in order to take it apart. I had to wait for a new shipment of cases before I could get a replacement battery.

[Leif A.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

According to Snopes.com the battery on a concrete floor is an outdated concept. Long ago when batteries weren't made the same way as they are now they could actually leak a tiny bit of battery acid through the case. On a concrete floor that could conduct current to ground and drain the battery.

Modern batteries are not susceptible to this. In fact the cooler concrete may slow the natural discharge a minuet amount.

Good ol' Snopes. My oldest daughter swears by that web sit...thanks for the education.

[Jerome P.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

I have had used a Restoration Battery and a battery minder on my '72 for at least 5 years. No problems.

[Michael H.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

I to have had a Restoration battery for over 4 years with no problem and yes I bought there charger and it has worked perfectly for me on both gel cell and acid batteries.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

I have 2 restoration battery's and I use c-teck trickle charger because it disulphates the battery, no problems so far(touch wood)
with that said nothing beats a drive putting the car under normal charging load,s deeper charge.

[Mike F.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

I have had a restoration battery in my car for several years without any problems. I've never put a charger on it, I simply disconnect the blade switch when the car sits.
Once when I had a trifecta of engine problems (ignition, carb and slipped balancer all at the same time) I was cranking the heck out of the car for troubleshooting purposes and the battery eventually shorted out.
I called them up, sent it back, they repaired it and sent it back to me, no problems.

[Joe R.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

I bought a Delco-Remy Restoration Battery for flight judging back in June of 2014 and it went belly up last summer even while using the overpriced battery maintainer they said I absolutely said I had to use to keep it charged. The battery and charger have been sitting beside my work bench since then. Has anyone ever sent their battery back for re-conditioning or for a core refund if there is such a thing or should I just pitch both of them in the recycling dumpster at work?

Also can their overpriced battery maintainer be used on a regular 12 volt lead-acid battery?


Thanks,

James

Based on what I have read in other posts, the "flooded wet cell" battery (traditional type that you add water to) that is used inside the Restoration Battery products sometimes gives very limited life. I'm not sure what the problem is.

However, you also have the option (at an added cost) of getting a newer-technology AGM battery inside the same case. I believe that the AGM battery that Restoration Battery currently uses is made by Odyssey. This is a very high quality battery.

I purchased a Restoration Battery with an AGM battery inside for my '67 back in 2005, and I did not need to replace it until this year. Even so, it would still start my car, but it was getting a bit tired. I think the key to the long life that I got was that I did *NOT* keep it on a charger.

One difference of the AGM batteries is that they have a much lower self-discharge rate than a flooded wet cell battery. Whenever I parked my in the garage, I simply disconnected the battery using the knife-switch disconnect that I had installed. Even after sitting for a couple months for the winter, the car would start right up. Based on what I have heard, leaving an AGM battery on a trickle charger 24/7 can actually shorten its life. For this type of battery, a charger should only be used overnight if the battery actually needs to be charged. If you routinely disconnect the battery when you park the car, you probably won't even need to charge it unless the car sits for more than three months.

Regarding your original question about whether the existing case can be re-used, I guess you would have to ask Restoration Battery. I think the top is glued on as a final step in the assembly, so it may be difficult to take apart without damage.

[Joe R.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

James,

You should call Restoration Battery and talk to Tom. He will take care of your problem (somehow) and educate you on batteries if that what you want or need.
In the real world not every reproduction is perfect and neither is your Corvette if you use reproductions.
An example of a reproduction that can be detected from 10 feet would be a reproduction radiator. And reproduction radiators get full credit by knowledgeable judges all the time.

JR

[John D.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

I do not go to sleep at night with a battery charger hooked up in the garage. Trickle charger or otherwise. Can't take a chance of fires. John

[Jim D.]

Re: Restoration Battery Return for Re-Conditioning???

I do not go to sleep at night with a battery charger hooked up in the garage. Trickle charger or otherwise. Can't take a chance of fires. John

Do you unplug your refrigerator, toaster, coffee pot and all the rest of the electrical appliances in your house before you go to bed? In my 30+ years as a professional firefighter, I've seen all of these cause fires. I've never heard of or seen a battery charger cause a fire. I have 4 cars on trickle/float chargers 24 hours a day.