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In this Discussion
- 37 CTS February 2010
- 50C8DAN February 2010
- 51hornetA February 2010
- 52Stude February 2010
- 66patrick66 February 2010
- EssexAdv February 2010
- Hudson Grandpa February 2010
- Hudson308 February 2010
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- onerare39 February 2010
- royer February 2010
- SamJ February 2010
- silverone February 2010
- TwinH February 2010
- VicTor Z February 2010
Optima batteries
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Does anyone have feedback on Optima 6 Volt Red Top batteries?
I am considering trying one in my '35 Hudson, as long as it fits under the floorboard.
Have heard it is a sealed battery which does not require filling with distilled water like the old type batteries - the design is modern, but I also hear you can get a casing to make it more correct to the time period, but again, being under a floorboard, I don't think anyone would really care that much.
Just looking for something better than the old, leaky alternative.
Thanks,
Alan -
Alan,
I'm sure some others will chime in, since I know there are several here that use the Optima in their older 6V Hudsons. I'm using a 12V Optima in a 'Brand-X' of mine, and I love it. Amazing cranking power for such a small package. Also, since it's a dry cell battery, you could lay it on it's side if necessary for your under floorboard location. -
hudsonguy wrote:Alan,
I'm sure some others will chime in, since I know there are several here that use the Optima in their older 6V Hudsons. I'm using a 12V Optima in a 'Brand-X' of mine, and I love it. Amazing cranking power for such a small package. Also, since it's a dry cell battery, you could lay it on it's side if necessary for your under floorboard location.
Like Hudsonguy, I also use the 12V red-top. The big reason I love these things is they don't grow that crunchy caustic crud on them like lead-acid batteries do. The fact I was able to spray-paint the thing yelluh with no adverse effects to the battery OR the paint after years of use speaks volumes about how well sealed these things are. No more rotted battery trays! :cool:
[ATTACH]7376[/ATTACH]
Greenberg 2005 038_126532294347027.jpg778 x 582 - 99KWorkin Stiff -
Had all those old leaky alternatives.. Bought a 6 Volt Red Top for my 54 Hornet cpe three weeks ago. It's an amazing battery. Out shines the leakys about 3X for cranking power. I made my own holdown, and decided to leave it as you see it under the hood. Will get plenty of questions I'm sure. Next will be a 6VAlternator. That should clean up any electrical problems I have been having. Jump in I guarantee you, you won't be sorry.
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Amazon had them for $99 last fall but they have gone up $136! Still I wished I had gotten one before I bought my last antique style job.
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My $.02. I've heard LOTS of horror stories on Optimas in the last few years.
Seems the original Swedish? company sold to Johnson Controls who
eventually moved production to Mexico. I dunno,just that I've heard people
badmouthing them. My 49 came to me with two red top 6V and a 6/12V
system. These batteries are from 1995 and are just getting to the point
of being marginal. Haven't let me down yet,but at 15 years old are past
there prime. Just haven't convinced myself to pull the trigger on the
Mexican made replacements.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=410932&highlight=optima+battery -
I have two 6v Optima batteries (one in each Hudson) and a 12v Optima in my F*** work truck. There's not a better 6v battery made.
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I've put in my two cents worth in here b4. The 6v Optima I put in my '40 a few years ago is the best thing I ever did for driveability. Can't say anything negative about them. Installed with a fake case, so looks okay too. BTW, I blasted my my hood supports and had them powder coated in clear (which I didn't know was avail until the PC guy suggested it.) You can see the result in this foe toe. :o
Battery Install _12653163521001116.jpg576 x 432 - 76KHETfortyqtpi@earthlink.net (drop the HET) -
Got Optima's in all my Hudsons. 6V and 12V best battery made for the money. Crank all day. Minimum fuss.www.hudsonmotorcar.org
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I will NEVER go back to old style lead acid battery.
The Optima is small in size so use some blocks of wood to fit in the old Hudson battery tray and hold down bracket. You will want it to fit in such a way not to vibrate or rattle. -
The new Mexican Optimas are crap. The old Made in USA units were fine batteries. I know very few people running them these days. I won't touch a new Optima."The time has come", the Walrus said, "to speak of many things. Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings. And why the sea is boiling hot,
And whether pigs have wings..." -
An optima battery hides here.
Wouldn't have any other -- love the thing.
I've since removed that shut-off thingy (didn't look right in there).
Last picture shows the way it should be IMO._126535593246452.jpg)
engine room 001 (1204 x 903)_126535593246452.jpg865 x 649 - 96K_126535673046452.jpg)
engine room 002 (1204 x 903)_126535673046452.jpg831 x 623 - 97K
IMG_0034_126551241346452.jpg612 x 918 - 99K -
Yep, Red Top Optima has been a great battery.
(credit to Sam J for the lead on the fake battery case)_12653178081008411.jpg)
Hudson Battery 003 (Small)_12653178081008411.jpg640 x 480 - 57K_12653114901008411.jpg)
Hudson Battery 001 (Small)_12653114901008411.jpg640 x 480 - 51K -
OK, where did you get the fake case??
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I bought mine from the Packard car club, So Ca Chapter. $95.00
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EssexAdv wrote:OK, where did you get the fake case??
Quail Services - quailservices.com
The following information is from their website.
If you have an Optima 6 volt battery, or plan to use one in your vintage auto, then you should consider using the Disguise Battery case. the Disguise is designed to safely conceal the Optima 850-6 battery as well as provide the look of a conventional lead acid battery. The Disguise is available in two models: the, 2D-II, and 2LD-II. The 2D-II case looks like a modern group 2 battery, the 2LD-II has the appearance of a vintage Group 2L tar top battery.
Please note: The 2D-2 and 2LD-II have been redesigned to accomodate the current Optima 6 volt battery design as well as previous designs
Model 2LD II Tar Top shown below, $95.00 plus Shipping from Zip 92881. Model 2D II (not shown) $68.00, battery not included. -
Got mine from antiqueautobattery.com
They make them up from as-original hard rubber cases, seal the optima in there at the factory before they ship it to you, and orient the posts the way you want them.
The top cell tie bars are real lead bars, and the whole thing is indistinguishable from an "original" OEM battery, unless you open one of the period correct caps -- then you'll see the top of the optima battery in there instead of "acid" (which you never have to add by the way, because they are gell cell,) and I'm told could even be mounted upside down if I could ever figure out why I'd want to do that.
Cost was just a bit over two hundrd bucks as I recall, and worth every penny IMO. I'd never put a lead-acid battery in one of my Hudsons, after seeing the mess they can leave behind over the years.
Thes things are as close to "plug-n-play" as it gets, at least in the battery department. -
My dad Has used optima for years, until recently! he had great luck befor but the last 2 he bought caught fire for no aparent reason! the electrical systems were all good in the vehicles he had them in as they were newer vehicles. the last time he pulled the minivan into the parking garage and saw smoke coming from under the hood, with my disabled mother locked into her electric wheel chair lock, luckily someone saw what was going on and put out hte fire with an extinguisher they had in the garage then they had to break the locks to get my mother out. Just our recent horror story, maybe there is a problem with the mexican batteries. We wont use them anymore until they are Made In the USA again!
