VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 OPTIMA battery 6 Volt

Napa has a 6 volt 1000 cca battery that is only 3 & 9/16" wide. It's 10&1/8" long and 8&1/8" high. $129

It fits perfect with plenty of room concerning the width. The off/on switch will also fit on top with room to spare.

My old battery is holding up fine ,but if it even shows any sign of slowing down,I know where to get a good one. The battery I have now is only 535 cca,so this battery would almost be twice as strong.

Good info if you need a battery.

That's what I have in mine. I had to strap two 2x6s on the sides to keep the Optima from dropping out the side of the battery box.

I also have a OPTIMA 6V in my coupe they are the best thing since sliced bread....I built a special wood box that the battery just fits in the inside, and the box just fits in the original car battery holder so there are no rattles and no alterations to the car.
If you go to the OPTIMA web site you can buy it cheaper and they will deliver it to your front door by UPS with NO SHIPPING CHARGE

I am also using a 6V optima in my 48 Fleetmaster its small in capacity only 50AH but delivers high cranking power.So far it always starts the engine in one time, even with -10 C last winder.
I am planing to later use 2 of them connected in line when converting the car to 12 Volts they will conveniently fit in the area of one battery.This way I will also have a dual voltage system 6V for instruments and period accessories and 12V for lighting, ignition etc.

Jianis

i like that idea... might use it in the future if possible

I'm intrigued by all the praise for the Optima battery. That's because they don't come in the proper size and that, after all, 6 volts is 6 volts.

A higher CCA may give you extended cranking amps but, so far as I know, that only gives you more time to grind on an engine until it dawns on you that isn't likely to start anyway or until you figure that something needs fixing, whichever comes first.

I run a cheap 6 volt battery (50 bucks) and it does fine and as a #1 size, fits the battery box nicely. (No wood filler or special box needed.)

So I'm still wondering, why go to a 129 dollar Optima when a Willy Coyote "acme" will do?

Charlie

BTW: I do like Jianis' idea. I have been planning on sticking a 12 volt in the trunk for the trip up to Flint so's I could operate the Tom-Tom and not get lost. (I know, I know)

Two Optimas side by side does seem like a better solution. If you have visited the suggested spare parts list, then you'll know that I'll have enough stuff to fill the trunk. I'll have to give it more thought.

For a few years I used a motorcycle battery to operate my CB. About five years ago I purchased a 12 V Jump Start Unit. It has a port for something like a lighter. I use it for 12V power and can operate my CB and my GPS for several days without a recharge. If I want to I can take it in my motel room at night and recharge it. Nothing to spill. I lay it on the back floor and run an extension under the seat. I purchased the extension at Radio Shack. They also have a double outlet available. Happy Motoring.

I've got a 12volt motorcycle battery in the trunk to blow my trumpet horns. The battery store said it would blow the horn hundreds of time without a charge. Works for me. I really would like to keep the old coupe 6 volts (not that it is a correct car).

I think the advantage of the jump starter is that there is nothing to spill out. I have it in a little tote bag. The battery did work fine when I used it. I carried the battery in a small cooler to be sure nothing contacted it. As the old saying goes "there is more ways than one to skin a cat."

Cat??? Did someone say CAT??!!!

A jump start unit is a good idea.

Another more permanent solution for small loads is using a stand alone 6V dc to 12V dc converter they deliver about 5 Amp or in combination with a small motorcycle battery (charging from the converter when the engine works) so you will have a permanent system with the possibility of occasionally higher amperage use.Costs around $50 to $80.
What I am going to do for now is use a small 12 v gel battery I have hanging around in combination with an 800MA DIY 6 to 12v converter.That will give me enough permanent power for my navigation and cellphone.Costs almost nothing.

Jianis