Cheap Six Volt Battery?

[Bingster]

I ready to fire up my car after seven years and I need a new battery, but a recent quote from Graham Tire for my car was $140.00  Guess it's been quite a while since I bought a battery, but that seems a little out there.  All I need is a battery to fire up the engine now and again till I get a "real" one.  I guess I'm looking at cranking amps.  How many cranking amps do I need? 

[greg g]

Look around your area for an Exide or Interstate warehouse.  I have been buying seconds (past their on shelf dates and returned to the ware house)  for 40 / 50% of retail.  Haven't had one last less than three years, got 7 years out of the last one.  Group 1 750 Cold Cranking Amps.

[1949 Wraith]

Just got a group 4 Exide from Tractor Supply 975 CCA and 300 minute reserve for $99. They had group 1 Exides on sale for $69

[knuckleharley]

I bought a new HD one from NAPA last year for around $80.  750 CCA,IIRC.

[Bingster]

Thanks.  I'll check into those.

[desoto1939]

the secret to getting a long life or use span it keeping it charged all the time.  I have attended the AACA Convention and workshops in Philadelphia and this has been a topic on battery life.  The secret is to have a battery tender on the car when it is sitting in your garage or storage area.  The charge keeps the plates from losing their metal compound and flaking and keeps them a full level.  I got a battery tender at my local Costco and have it on my battery at all times.

I can send pictures of my setup if anyone needs to see the unit.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol

[knuckleharley]

4 minutes ago, desoto1939 said:

 I got a battery tender at my local Costco and have it on my battery at all times.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol

Rich,guys,I keep trying to talk myself into buying one of those things,then everytime I start to buy one I can't find one that isn't made in China. Flat out,I do NOT like to keep ANYTHING electrical plugged into a live circuit that was made in China.

Anyone know of any brands that are made in America?

[Don Coatney]

Call me frugal if you like. I have never used a battery tender. But I do have a box full of low voltage DC power supplies for gadgets that I no longer have. The one pictured below has an output of 7 volts @ 250mA. It would work as a battery tender for a 6 volt battery.

[50 coupe]

27 minutes ago, knuckleharley said:

Rich,guys,I keep trying to talk myself into buying one of those things,then everytime I start to buy one I can't find one that isn't made in China. Flat out,I do NOT like to keep ANYTHING electrical plugged into a live circuit that was made in China.

Anyone know of any brands that are made in America?

Good Luck.

I have used the Schumaker from Oreilly's with success.

[50 coupe]

20 minutes ago, Don Coatney said:

"Call me frugal if you like. I have never used a battery tender. But I do have a box full of low voltage DC power supplies for gadgets that I no longer have. The one pictured below has an output of 7 volts @ 250mA. It would work as a battery tender for a 6 volt battery."

... ok, you're frugal....

 

[greg g]

Bosch made in China?  Thought they were a German company.

[knuckleharley]

1 hour ago, greg g said:

Bosch made in China?  Thought they were a German company.

Who said they weren't?

I think you are getting the posts mixed up.

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

Bosch has a company in N. Chas. SC and have for 30 years...big big injector fabrication facility

[greg g]

The Bosch power supply that Don C posted clearly says Made in China on it.

[rb1949]

Bosch owned the old Studebaker Proving Grounds in South Bend IN from 1996-2015.

[Captain Neon]

I always have to chuckle when customers tell me they need a new headlight bulb, but "nothing fancy like halogen or anything," if we have any of the old style organic brake fluid, and that their 5 y/o car is an old beater.  My newest car is 7 years old.  I still buy the best for my '97 Neon, and probably always will since it will be officially collectible in January.

[CaptChris]

I paid $90 for 6 volt group 2 this past summer. Still too expensive. 

[knuckleharley]

3 hours ago, CaptChris said:

I paid $90 for 6 volt group 2 this past summer. Still too expensive. 

Name something that isn't in todays world of $20,000 economy cars and Suburbans that are selling for 60 grand.

[gbhdrake383]

I used Batteries Plus. Mine was $70.00. Part # SLI1. Hope that helps

[Bingster]

That wouldn't be a bad price. Thanks.

[gbhdrake383]

On 10/2/2016 at 7:52 AM, Bingster said:

That wouldn't be a bad price. Thanks.

You bet. Just had to deal with that. 

[Bingster]

Thanks!