Restoration Battery Failure

[Edward S.]

Re: Restoration Battery Failure

If you can not control the finished product your paying some co-packer to produce for you, then find another co-packer. In the industry I was in all major players had more than one co-packer doing the same product. They played one against the other with regard to price, even more importent if one supplier had a problem - all of the product could be switched to the other co-packer. Having all your eggs in one basket may not be the way to do business. There always seems to be someone out there willing to do whatever to get their feet in the door.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Restoration Battery Failure

If you can not control the finished product your paying some co-packer to produce for you, then find another co-packer. In the industry I was in all major players had more than one co-packer doing the same product. They played one against the other with regard to price, even more importent if one supplier had a problem - all of the product could be switched to the other co-packer. Having all your eggs in one basket may not be the way to do business. There always seems to be someone out there willing to do whatever to get their feet in the door.

I think that in this case there is only one manufacturer for repro batteries. So, unless you can convince one of the "big guys" to make what you want (not likely) then we're stuck with what we've got.

There "might" be a chance with a company that makes batteries for trucks or tractors or the like, but that's all I can think of.

Or, why not start a battery repro company, Ed?

[Bill I.]

Re: Restoration Battery Failure

Years ago, I was in the vending machine business in the NE, we had machines at the Gould Battery plant near Hazelton, Pa. One day I was there and struck up a conservation with a man who turned out to be their chief battery designer.
I asked him point blank, can you make a battery that will last 50 years? He said yes, but why would we.
Can you say 'planned obsolescence'? Bill

[Howard P.]

Re: Restoration Battery Failure

I purchased one of their batteries for my 67 two years ago. It has not caused me any issues thus far. I keep it charged using a Battery Tender.

Just for interests sake, I also own a Z06 which I purchased new in August 2001. The car is on its fourth AC-Delco Battery ! the first battery lasted 3 weeks, the second 1-1/2 years, the third just over 2 years. The fouth is still in the car. Since new the batteries have been kept on a Battery Tender. I have 9 other cars all equipped with Optima Batteries and all kept on Battery Tenders. The oldest Optima is 8 years old, I've never replaced one.

I believe the issue with with inconsistencies with the battery manufacturers.

[Jim W.]

Re: Restoration Battery Failure

I bought one of these for my '67 a couple of months ago and have not installed it yet. The curious thing is that I bought a Battery MINDer Plus for maintaining it, as many on the board here stated that is the device Restoration Battery recommended in their delivery literature. But when mine was delivered, the tag on the post says "The only Maintainer recommended for this product is an Odyssey Optimizer #0MAX-12A-1B or a 10 amp automatic charger". Does anyone know why they don't like the Battery MINDer PLus anymore?

I've never bought a resto battery from Restoration Battery, but I did buy a "BatteryMinder/plus for my battery, which is a Optima Red top. I bought a batteryMinder/plus Model #12117. These are made by VDC Electronics, and in a sense of slight confusion with the operation of the batteryMinder, I contacted VDC Electronics.

I spoke with 'Tech Services' and the gentlemen I spoke with said that the 'Batteryminder I had bought would be OK for my 75/25 Optims battery, but that they make a special charger/maintainer model 12118 which is designed especially for Spiral wound cells, like the ones found in a Optima Red Top. The BatteryMinder/plus model #12117 is made for either AMG or Wet Cell batteries.

So I purchased the corect model directly from VDC Electronics, and I just keep the original model #12117 in case I want to use it on any of my other Corvettes. I post this to help anyone of you who are interested in the purchasing one of these battery Float chargers. The BatteryMinder/plus is an excellant unit, once it has charged your battery to it's limit, it cuts off and then begines it's built-in desulfation process in between charging periods. The only other thing I noticed with the batteryMinder is that Model 12117 is 12 volts and put out 1.33 amps, where as model #12118, the unit built for Optima or Odyssey brand batteries.

[Jean C.]

Re: Restoration Battery Failure

It will be very intersting to see public opinion in a few years as these things approach their usefull lifetime and require replacement.

I seem to recall reading an article about one of the electric cars or perhaps a hybrid, can't remember which, that stated the manufacturer was employing a plan where you purchase the car but lease the battery pack. Maybe it was a suggested plan. Anyone have knowledge of this?
Best regards,

[Terry M.]

Re: Restoration Battery Failure

I seem to recall reading an article about one of the electric cars or perhaps a hybrid, can't remember which, that stated the manufacturer was employing a plan where you purchase the car but lease the battery pack. Maybe it was a suggested plan. Anyone have knowledge of this?
Best regards,

I recall a story about the lease deal, but I think it was a concept or proposal. The idea was lease the battery pack, and then on long trips (let's not talk about how long ) one would exchange the depleted battery pack for a fully charged one at a "filling station" sort of location.