VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 1933 original battery in owners manual

Hi all, I have had a bit of discussion lately about the batteries shown in the owners manuals. I am trying to find out if the 1933 battery was the first to have the Chevrolet script battery.
1932 accessory manual shows a Delco script, and 1934 owners manual shows a Chevrolet-Delco script.
So is the 1933 a Delco script or the first Chevrolet script,
Thanks Jack

The 1933 Engineering specifications says Delco , but show a battery with no script.

Anyone have a 1933 workshop Manual with a picture of the Battery in it ?

Jack, I guess you no doubt know that Australian cars were fitted with localy made batteries. I believe they were Century brand.

Hi Ron , yes I am interested in the change over to the Chevrolet script Battery (US) as 1934 owners manual shows the Chevrolet Script and the 1932 Accessory manual show the Delco script Battery, That leaves the 1933 year in between.

1932 Battery in Australia is documented by GM-H as an Exide.

What documentation do you have on the Century Battery being used in Australian Chevrolets, and to what years?

Hi Jack, Many years ago i bought a bound collection of Nasco accelerator magazines dating between 1935 and 1940. Also bound with them were some Century battery catalogues. Reading through them they give the impression they supplied a lot of the major manufacturers but to be honest I cant see where they claim to be original equipment suppliers to GMH. They do mention making the long narrow type for the 1939 Buick and as the brochure was printed in 1939 you wouldnt think a new car wuld require an aftermarket battery that early.Do you have any info stating that Exide supplied the 1935 models?

The only information I have on the Australian 1935 batteries is that the standard models had a 13 plate 90 Amp hr , and the Master had a 13 plate 105 amp hour battery. The 1935 GMh owners manual shows an unbranded battery, which seems to suggest multiple suppliers. The 1935 GMH dealer and salesman's handbook is the source the battery sizes, but no brand listed.
In 1930 and 1931, GMH issued specifications in Australia that listed 4 diffent battery suppliers. The document is originally a GM EXPORT document fom New YORK.
1932 is a GMH printed specifictions and only lists EXIDE.

Ron, Also The 1927 GM-A PTY LTD specifications list both a Exide and a Willard battery .
1933 GMH specs lists jus battery , and plates and ampere hours, with no Manufacturer.

Jack, I have been through all my material and can find no conclusive proof as to what batteries GMH used in the 30s. I think you are right in thinking they used several suppliers.Going by factory photographs it seems they also purchased their tyres from several suppliers but each make only used one brand, ie Buick, Barnett glass, Chevrolet, Dunlop. This may have changed in different years.Still a lot to learn and the information is hard to find.

Thank you Ron, Yes the Australian information is hard to find.

Hey Jack, have you looked at the United Motor catalog which is for 33? I have a copy form the Filling Station.

No I haven't looked there, I also have a copy , will check it out tonight. ( I cant remember seeing battery pictures in there, but they may be there) TY

I know there is a picture of the Air Cleaner Decal in that document, I have the 32 version also. And the 34 repair manual shows the 34 decal....so you never know.

Hi Bruce ,
Yes the UMS 1933 manual has the info and pictures I was seeking

1929 to 1933 used the delco script battery , so that makes the 1934 the first to use the Chevrolet script battery.
There is a slight difference with the battery for 1933 ,as it appears that the cell connecting straps are recessed differently in the 1932 accessory manual to some other years.
TY .

My research so far has found the following. I am sure that others can provide more Chevrolet references.

1929 Sales Data book, page 29-Construction 1-29 states: "Six-volt, 90-ampere hour, three-cell Willard, Exide or U.S.L. storage batteries in rubber cases are standard equipment."

The 1929 "CHEVROLET Salesman's Manual" issued by General Motors Limited, Edgware Road, The Hyde, London. N.W.9.
Section "Mech" page 26 states: "Six-volt, 90 ampere hour, three-cell Exide storage batteries in rubber cases are standard equipment."

1930 Sales Data book, page 27-Construction 1-30 states: "Six-volt, 90-ampere hour, three-cell, Delco Remy, Willard, Exide or U.S.I. storage batteries in rubber cases are standard equipment."

Haven't put my hands on my copy of the 1931 Sales Data book as yet. Gremlins have hidden it. Maybe someone else can find theirs and look in the "Construction" section.

"Specifications 1932 Chevrolet Motor Co. Engineering Dept" Sheet No. 16, dated 3-1-32 lists: "U.S.L, model XY-13-C and Delco Remy model 133 CU" under "Battery".

My '32 sales books only state "Six-volt, 13 plates, 90-ampere hour capacity." No brands are listed.

We all must recognize that the United Motors literature while a GM company is the aftermarket arm of the parts distribution system. Therefore, listings in United Motors literature may or may not be identical to the parts used in original production.

Chipper , thank you for taking the time to research these .
The 1930 and 1931 specifications I have list the 4 following types , Willard WCB-13, Exide 3VXB-13-1RD , USL XY-13-D , and Delco Delco Remy 13B-CU .
The 1929 Chevrolet service news for April 1929 shows the Delco Remy Battery.
The 1933 UMS manual has part numbers 13-H Standard equipment on 1929 30 31 32 33 models , and states is identical to 13-N used on 1933 models.
A 15 plate battery is also shown in the 1933 UMS for use with a radio equipped car, and it also shows a delco battery for 1923 to 1928 with finger holes.

So it looks like the letter designation continued to change as they improved the Batteries