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In this Discussion
- 51hornetA July 2009
- 53jetman July 2009
- bartibog1 July 2009
- hdsn49 January 2009
- Kdancy July 2009
- Lee ODell July 2009
- ralpie July 2009
- Richard E. January 2009
- Ron P January 2009
- RonS July 2009
- SamJ July 2009
- Scott January 2009
- silverone January 2009
- SuperDave July 2009
- tattooman July 2009
- Ted W July 2009
Optima Battery Case
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I went back and looked at the old posts on the aftermarket fake battery cases you can buy to hide the Optima batteries, and was wondering if there are any other companies making them now that any of you know of. It looks like Quail is the only one right now.
Scott -
Al Saffrahn was making one for awhile?? I don't know if he still is. He is in Arizona. It is metal and fits into the battery holding hardware. I put a big Hudson sticker on the one that I got from him. It is in my step-down.
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I went back and looked at the old posts on the aftermarket fake battery cases you can buy to hide the Optima batteries, and was wondering if there are any other companies making them now that any of you know of. It looks like Quail is the only one right now.
I got mine from antique auto battery in Hudson Ohio, and for the money, in my opinion, they can't be beat !! They'll put an Optima in there, oriented to your specs, and when the caps are on, you'd swear its a period original lead acid battery. The cases they use are not plastic looking, and the (fake) cell connectors look like the real thing, not some silver painted humps like some of the "other Guys are offering.
They'll also put the label of your choice on the case, ( mine says "Hudson" ), and looks perfect.
http://www.antiqueautobattery.com -
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Thanks Guy's,
I checked with Antique Auto Battery and they are $280. They actually have an original battery case reproduced that they seal your Optima battery in. The lady said that the down side is the case can't be reused. But they look exactly like an old time lead acid battery. -
I paid $45 for the one that I got from Al, but that was probably 6 or 7 years ago.
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Scott wrote:Thanks Guy's,
I checked with Antique Auto Battery and they are $280. They actually have an original battery case reproduced that they seal your Optima battery in. The lady said that the down side is the case can't be reused. But they look exactly like an old time lead acid battery.
Yes they do, and not to forget, you get the Optima battery with the case. If you've priced an Optima battery lately, you might be surprised at the cost, so $280 for battery, and case seems reasonable to me.
Those Optima's are hard to beat when it comes to performance too, and a big plus is you never have to worry whether or not the battery needs water. Just plop it in and go -- sort of plug 'n play in modern lingo. I have a little fun with some Guy's now and again by removing one of the plugs and showing them there's nothing under it but the label, which is on the top of the Optima. Incidently, even the three caps on the top look right on correct, and screw on and off just like the originals.
silverone -
Are we talking about a 6 volt battery? I emailed optima a few months ago
and they told me that they had nothing that could be used in a Hudson -
Yup Optima make a 6 volt battery have them in all my Hudsons.
Take a look http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=400089+306987+115&autoview=skuwww.hudsonmotorcar.org -
Juat a word of caution about one of the suppliers selling optima battery cases. Over a month ago I paid for a case from "Batteriesareus.com". I spoke to the order department on the phone before making the purchase on-line, and was told I'd have the item in two weeks. I checked with them three weeks later and was told it would "go out next week". It's now been five weeks. I called today to inquire about the status, and the fellow on the phone got super rude and started barking at me about how I know nothing about importing goods from China. (As a matter of fact I import materials for my business from overseas on a monthly basis....) I told him that I'm not a mind reader and that I just wanted to know the status of my order and he smugly replied "It'll go out next week"..... Just thought I'd share my experience and hopefully save someone else from a similar experience.....
Aaron -
tattooman wrote:Juat a word of caution about one of the suppliers selling optima battery cases. Over a month ago I paid for a case from "Batteriesareus.com". I spoke to the order department on the phone before making the purchase on-line, and was told I'd have the item in two weeks. I checked with them three weeks later and was told it would "go out next week". It's now been five weeks. I called today to inquire about the status, and the fellow on the phone got super rude and started barking at me about how I know nothing about importing goods from China. (As a matter of fact I import materials for my business from overseas on a monthly basis....) I told him that I'm not a mind reader and that I just wanted to know the status of my order and he smugly replied "It'll go out next week"..... Just thought I'd share my experience and hopefully save someone else from a similar experience.....
Aaron
How can you tell the difference between an Optima battery and a Chinese Optima battery copy? Or are they all made in China? -
Ron posted a link to the foe toes of my installation. It sounds dumb, but in many ways putting in the Optima was the best thing I've ever done for my car. The cranking power is so much better than what I was using that she always fires right up. And after 6 years of use I can't tell you how long it holds a charge, because it always has. Even not running the car for 6 weeks in winter (and we have real winter here in northern New Mexico), the Optima cranks the car over like it had just been on a charger. Since I'm keeping my car as original as possible, I can't think of any reason to change to 12 volts. 'Course Hudson's awesome 175ci powerplant is not exactly a high-compression setup. :oHETfortyqtpi@earthlink.net (drop the HET)
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SamJ wrote:The cranking power is so much better than what I was using that she always fires right up. And after 6 years of use I can't tell you how long it holds a charge, because it always has.
Optima Batteries were designed for the Military Hum V. In the 80's, the Military wanted to vacuum pack Hum V's for long term storage (10 years). Break the seal, water them, fuel them, and start 'em. For that, you need a cool battery. They tested started Hum V's that were in storage for 10 years, all started.
Got I tired of finding a dead battery on my garage queens, and have used them for the last 12 years now. I have not had to replace one yet. My oldest one is 9 years old.
I'm sure I will get no warning...one day...it will just be dead.:eek: -
Hi Lee: What I ordered from this company is a "case" that mimicks the look of an old tar-top 6 volt battery. The Optima batery (I already own one) just slips inside of this case and then the whole things fits in your regular battery hold down and looks more period correct..... I agree with the consensus that the optimas are great batterys. I don't drive my car regularly and still have the 6 volt generator system, so this set up really helps keep the ole hudson ready to "snort" at a moments notice.... Aaron
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I've had several Optima batteries. The newer made ones are having more issues than the older original ones. I've had to replace the last two prematurely. The local stereo guys won't even buy the Optima anymore. They are using Odyssey brand batteries. I just purchase an Odyssey that I put into a 55 Studebaker.
http://www.odysseyfactory.com/ -
Kdancy wrote:I've had several Optima batteries. The newer made ones are having more issues than the older original ones. I've had to replace the last two prematurely. The local stereo guys won't even buy the Optima anymore. They are using Odyssey brand batteries. I just purchase an Odyssey that I put into a 55 Studebaker.
http://www.odysseyfactory.com/
Looked at thier website... read the literature... can not find a 6 volt battery. Do they make one? Optima does and it is what some of the HET owners are using. Seems like the Odyssey is the same type of battery? Another source of non flooded batteries.
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Kdancy wrote:I've had several Optima batteries. The newer made ones are having more issues than the older original ones. I've had to replace the last two prematurely. The local stereo guys won't even buy the Optima anymore. They are using Odyssey brand batteries. I just purchase an Odyssey that I put into a 55 Studebaker.
http://www.odysseyfactory.com/
Wow - I run an Optima battery, Coker tires...my car really sux!:D HETfortyqtpi@earthlink.net (drop the HET) -
I usually get 7 years from an Optima in the charming 105 degree Arizona heat. If you use a "TENDER" probably more,especially if you reside in a more temperate climate. A word of caution, don't use those green wheel shutoffs with a 6volt system. They act like a current bottleneck. Use a blade type switch. They will carry up to 500amps without restriction.JC Whitney sells 'em $30.Ron
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All of the original owners packets I have seen that came with a new stepdown had a "National" battery warrantee card. So I can surmise that National was the original battery supplier to Hudson in the late 40's-50's. I wonder if anyone is making a "National" sticker ?
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While National Battery was the supplier, the batteries that came from the factory installed in the cars had a "Hudson" label on the side gf he battery facing the engine compartment.
Jerry
53jetmanJerry
email: HudsonJetman@mail.com
2nd Generation Hud-Nut
HET Tech Adviser on Hudson Jets 1953 & 1954
HET Registrar of all Hudson Jets
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