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Battery for '39 hudson 112 Coupe
  • hdsn49hdsn49
    Posts: 391Platinum Member
    My brother Dan called yesterday. He needs a new battery for his '39 112 Coupe. The place we always got battery's from cannot get the correct size battery anymore.

    Any suggestions?
  • 53jetman53jetman
    Posts: 873Platinum Member
    Known in the industry as a Group 1 6v. Buy the one with the highest possible cold cranking amps. They are usually available at farm and ranch supply stores. The same battery is used in the Ford and Ferguson tractors among others. Remember, ground the positive terminal. While you're at it, check all electrical connections to be sure they are clean and tight Also take measurements of your old battery (you'll probably have to turn it in to avoid a core charge) so while there compare the battery very closely.

    Jerry
    Jerry
    email: HudsonJetman@mail.com
    2nd Generation Hud-Nut
    HET Tech Adviser on Hudson Jets 1953 & 1954
    HET Registrar of all Hudson Jets
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,577Platinum Member
    I just bought one from the local NAPA store for my old forklift. Might try there ,was about $90.00
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • Jon BJon B
    Posts: 4,770Moderator
    I think there are several companies still making them. I myself use a "DEKA" made in Pennsylvania, with 850 CCA (cold cranking amps); I think it retails for $90 to $100 nowadays. NAPA, Tractor Supply and Interstate still carry group one batteries I think. [update: oops, it's only 780 CCA, just checked! Sorry!]

    Whatever you get, be sure it has a high CCA rating. You can get a cheapie but if it doesn't have the cold cranking amps it's not going to crank the car very long or powerfully.
  • 1049superg1049superg
    Posts: 405Gold Member
    Your brother Dan may want to consider a gel type battery that eliminates dealing with battery acid. Optima makes a 6 volt one. They're a bit more pricey than what's been suggested here, but seem to be less of a hassle than dealing with battery acid spills, having to maintain battery water level and potentially explosive battery acid gas. Also, you can purchase a fake battery case that looks like an old one that will contain your gel battery.

    Dan
  • mdwhit
    Posts: 125Expert Adviser
    1049superg wrote:
    Your brother Dan may want to consider a gel type battery that eliminates dealing with battery acid. Optima makes a 6 volt one. They're a bit more pricey than what's been suggested here, but seem to be less of a hassle than dealing with battery acid spills, having to maintain battery water level and potentially explosive battery acid gas. Also, you can purchase a fake battery case that looks like an old one that will contain your gel battery.

    Dan

    Just curious, where can you purchase the fake battery cover?
    Thanks, Michael
  • KdancyKdancy
    Posts: 1,063Platinum Member
    http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/
    Around 275.00 :blink:
    Kerry
    Wellborn, Florida
    http://s294.beta.photobucket.com/user/studebaker2/library/
  • Jon BJon B
    Posts: 4,770Moderator
    I"m curious about the physical dimensions and group type.

    Someone said your brother needs a "group 1" but my 1937 Terraplane uses a group 2. So your brother may want to verify exactly what he's looking for, first.

    Group 1 = 9" x 6-7/8", and 8-3/4" high.
    Group 2 = 10-3/8" x 6-7/8" and 8-3/4" high.

    Both are six volt, but you may be able to get slightly more CCA with the group 2 as opposed to group 1. (For example, the DEKA battery comes with 780 CCA in the group 2, but only 600 with the group 1. There might be a similar difference in the other traditional lead-acid batteries as well. The new gel batteries are much smaller and give you even more CCA capacity, though they are more pricey!)
  • 1049superg1049superg
    Posts: 405Gold Member
    Michael,

    Try quailservices.com for the disguise battery case for an Optima 6 volt battery.

    Dan
  • mdwhit
    Posts: 125Expert Adviser
    1049superg wrote:
    Michael,

    Try quailservices.com for the disguise battery case for an Optima 6 volt battery.

    Dan

    Dan
    Thanks, I appreciate the the link.
    Michael
  • Old Fogey UKOld Fogey UK
    Posts: 155Expert Adviser
    Getting a 6V battery of the right dimensions is a real problem here in England too. The best one I could get was from Sheppard Brothers. It's the right capacity but sits a little too tall. Because the battery sits under the floor, this means I have to leave the wooden cover off. The front rubber mat covers it and my feet clear it.
  • Kevin C.Kevin C.
    Posts: 410Platinum Member
    I hope he brings it to Gettysburg next year!


    [attachment=11708]DSCF2515.JPG[/attachment]




    [attachment=11709]DSCF2526_2011-08-30.JPG[/attachment]



    Kevin C.
    DSCF2515.JPG
    800 x 600 - 42K
    DSCF2526_2011-08-30.JPG
    800 x 600 - 51K
  • Jon BJon B
    Posts: 4,770Moderator
    Old Fogey, you didn't mention the height dimension that would fit under your seat, but if 8" would fit, then be aware that Antique Auto Battery (of Ohio, USA) makes a G2LW model whose dimensions are 10.25" x 6.75" x 8", which might fit. Here's the size chart from Antique Auto Battery: http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/other.html

    They also make a 2LF whose dimensions are 10.25 x 6.75 x 8. That's the same as above, but it's listed as fitting "Ford" so the difference may be that it bears the Ford script.

    Here's Antique Auto Battery's homepage: http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/. You might contact them to see if they have dealers in other countries.

    Another good bet is the 6 volt Optima battery, which is only about 7-13/16" high. That may be available in England.

    The "lower" 6-volt battery evidently fits some pre-war Ford models which makes it potentially more available than if it only fit Hudsons. Incidentally, some of the 1940's Hudsons require a lower battery because otherwise, their clamshell hoods hit the top of the battery and short it out.
  • SamJSamJ
    Posts: 1,405Platinum Member
    The "Optima" style gel battery can also be used lying on its side...;)
    HETfortyqtpi@earthlink.net (drop the HET)

  • hdsn49hdsn49
    Posts: 391Platinum Member
    The "lower" 6-volt battery evidently fits some pre-war Ford models which makes it potentially more available than if it only fit Hudsons. Incidentally, some of the 1940's Hudsons require a lower battery because otherwise, their clamshell hoods hit the top of the battery and short it out.[/quote]

    That is the problem my brother is having. Batteries are too tall.
  • Old Fogey UKOld Fogey UK
    Posts: 155Expert Adviser
    Optima batteries are available here in the UK but are very pricey.
    The Ford V-8 type battery would have fitted height-wise but didn't have a high enough amp/hour rating for a Hudson 8.
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