VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt 6v batteries

I currently have 2 6v chevs, 35 and 50. Preparing for the 6 cyl tour in Sept lead me to search for a new battery. Result all the previous sources I had seem to have discontinued carrying them. The optium is an awkward fit. The sealed battery in an old style case is very expensive. Has anyone any comments?

Advance Auto had them the last time I was there. Tractor Supply also had them.

I use Interstate 6v batteries in my trucks. Any Interstate battery dealer can get them.

Cheers, Dean

My Optima served me well for almost 10 years before giving up the ghost. It shorted and died a tour a couple of years back. I bought a generic 6v from an O'Reilly's. It was in stock. It's been doing as well as the Optima for a fraction of the cost. I don't remember the CCA rating off the top of my head but I think it's in the 450 range.

I have used 6-volt batteries from Tractor Supply for the past 10+ years. They are available, fresh (relatively fast turnover) and seem to work 5+ years as long as they don't run down too far before recharging. Have been very satisfied in them.

Six volt batteries are commonly available just about anywhere in my area. NAPA, Baxter's and O'Reilly's are just a few of the auto parts stores that carry them. Also, we have several battery places around here that also stock 6 volt batteries. That is a common battery.

For a 6 volt battery you want to get a minimum of 600 CCA's.

I get mine at Tractor Supply. Farmers want their tractor to go when they have work to do and the weather is good.

As Rustohollic, I, too, use Interstate batteries.

Most all batteries will give super service. For a while.

Generally, the best rule of thumb on the life of a group of cells (battery) is that the amount you pay will somewhat correspond (to the life of the battery). The more you pay, the more you can expect. Not always. There are surely exceptions.

I have found that Interstate batteries are superior to many others but cost more.

I grew up sweating and uncomfortabe in the aganizing doubt that the car's battery will die at the drive-in food place or theater (with all your friends looking on or out in the woods with your school's Drum Majorette ( what ever) with whom you finnaly got a date and who wants to play the radio whilst listening to the "children of the night". It does not impress a girl for you leave her in the car whilst you double-time it out of the woods looking for buddies who can come jump you or enough to push you for a start before violating her parents curfew. Downright embarrassing. Is too!

Any of you born in the thirties will know what I'm talking about. No cell phones back then.

Charlie

I know what you mean Charlie but I made sure I parked on a reasonable slope so I could clutch start. What I didnt allow for was putting a stick through the tire and previously not put the jack back in. The girl was not impressed about being used as a vehicle lifting device while I changed the flat tire.
Tony

Thanks for showing me sources I had not thought of. Also the Optimum is a great spare to carry since it stores in any position anywhere.

Several places have 6-volt batteries. The most important thing is the CCA cold cranking amps. These old Chevys like lots of power. Orchlins, or places where they sell tractor supplies. The old 8N and 9N Ford tractors and probably several others used this battery JIM

I have good luck with the farm supply store batterys. Tractor Supply and Orschelns are 2 stores that are local to me. I just paid about $74.00 each for two of them. I get 5 or 6 years use as a rule.

Just to be contrary to the other posts... I think it depends entirely on where you live for Farm Supply Store batteries. I live in the DFW Metroplex and the Tractor Supply batteries around here are horrendous. I have had to return three of them.

My guess is that the turn-over on their 6v's just isn't very quick here in the DFW area and so those batteries get old sitting on the shelf. Not to mention I watched them put the one with a dead cell that I brought back right back on the shelf with the other 6v's. So if you live in an "urban" area I would not use Tractor Supply. Again, just my experience with them.


It's funny I was actually coming here to ask the same thing. So does anyone use that small Optima battery? I chatted with Optima on the phone about it and all they would really give me was "we don't make a battery for your car". (I've got a 1931 5-Window Coupe).

After reading some of the other posts here, I am now leaning toward Advance or one of those guys now since they are cheaper and guys are having good luck with them.

-Garrett

The optima 6V redtop is described as a starting battery with 800CCA and 100 minutes cranking reserve.

I have an Optima battery in my truck ('36 GMC) and I have a friend who has a '32 Roadster and he has a Optima in that. Never have had a problem.

The optima starts my 1939's with no problems, and it has more compression than a 1932 engine.

I have used Optima 6v batteries in both my 216 and 235 powered 1950s. The first one was bought in 2004 and still worked last year when I sold the car. I got 5 years out of a Delco and though my charger would show full charge, it would no longer turn over the 216, hence I bought another Optima 6v. I found the best price by far was from Amazon with free shipping included! I made a spacer out of 3/4" plywood, painted black, with cutouts for the cables, that I put on top of the battery so it would fit the battery hold down frame and the red top of the Optima would not be so obvious. I use my old dead Delco for VCCA judging.

the 6v red top optima resolved all the past battery problems AND at 1/2 the batt. space, under the floor, it is easy in and out. it has been through three seattle winters now. i'm convinced. so is my '30 coupe.
jim

Another thing to consider: The ease of taking the battery back for a replacement should not be a stong factor in choosing a good, long lasting, battery.

After a while it gets right annoying taking the dang things back, over and over.

Charlie

Just pulled the trigger on an Interstate 6v. They had to order it so I'll get it next weekend. Hopefully, money well spent. I'd like to have gotten the Optima, but they are just too dang expensive for me.

A little disappointed to learn the Interstate 6v's only come with a 6-month warranty but, like 41specialdeluxe says, with any luck, it's a good, long-lasting battery.

Interstate are a very good battery. I have had my 6 Volt interstate battery for sometime with no problem.

I'm confident you will be pleased with your decision.

Charlie

I've had good luck and service with Interstate Battery products but I suggest you ask them the date of manufacture which is usually stamped into the case of the battery. With only a 6 month warranty you don't want to get one that has been sitting in another warehouse longer than 6 months.

The 6 month warranty is from the date that the battery was purchased.

Yes but the fresher the better. If it's been on the shelf for 12-18 months it still should last the six to get past the warranty but the life is definitely shortened. Just like the supermarkets that put the oldest milk in the front on the easiest shelf to reach battery retailers will want to get rid of the oldest stock first. Since it's a non-stock item and a slow mover it's possible to get another branch's old stock. Most batteries if defective will fail in the first year. Some manufacturers warranty their batteries for 100% first year and that's it. Some that have extended warranties base the warranty on list price so if a battery fails two years down the road and you get a 50% warranty its figured at 1/2 of list which may be close to what you paid when new. Most buyers like to see a big discount when buying but the warranty is not usually based on what you paid but rather the list price. Of course I have been retired for the last seven years and maybe the battery business has changed.