VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Dead Battery Question

Hi all,

Went out to take a drive, and my battery was dead (less than 1/2V with my test meter). Not sure if I left the key on, but know everything else was off. With the battery disconnected, key off, and everything else off, I have infinite resistance between the battery post on the starter, and ground, low resistance with the key on. This tells me I have no short or other draw, correct?

Looks like I may need to buy a new battery, and install that cutoff I purchased a month or two ago.

Thanks

How old is your battery?

Not sure, unfortunately. The date was not punched on the label, and installed by the previous owner.

6 volt batteries don't usually just die........they kind of fade away unlike 12 volt batteries that simply die.......usually when it's below zero and you're miles away from home.......
It's probably time for a new one.....save the receipt.

I wouldn't hurt to charge and test it, then you will know.

Dave

I cannot remember when or where I buy batteries, so when I do, I use a felt pen to record the date and seller on the battery top. Then later, I know when the battery is dead when and where I bought it. If lucky a dead battery might be within warranty.

When I removed the battery last night, I did find a label on the side that says 10/15, which I assume is the purchase date. I have an old charger (my dad won as a door prize 40+ years ago at a Corvair club meeting) that goes straight to 8 amps and then kicks off, so I think I'll stop and pick up a new "smart" charger and see if the battery will recover.

I keep mine on a 6v Battery Tender :)

I keep my 6 volt battery on a battery tender as well.

Battery tested, and the results are that it’s toast. So, new battery topping off now and cutoff going in tonight. Thanks

Yikes.......less than a 3 year life?.......
I'm curious as to what brand?
I bet it's from one of those, so called, farm and fleet stores or some such place.

It was a Super Start. Not sure what caused it to go, though it’s possible I left the ignition on, but it was fine a week ago when I last drove it, then dead. At any rate, new battery is in, a cutoff installed, and all seems well again.

I think normally batteries are good for 5 years , typically on new cars. My 2014 Chrysler was done in 3 years.

My 35 Chevrolets ...coupe ..phaeton, I take the batterys out and place in basement on wood bench with trickle tender on it and switch up every month to the other one.

I have battery cut off switches in both when in a storage unit between uses .

mike lynch

I am also installing a Cut Off Switch and All new Cables when mine goes back in. When it gets parked, I Plan on flipping the cut off switch, and connecting to the Tender. Let it Trickle in Peace.

I just changed out a battery that was 7 years old, I use a tender any time I don't think I'll drive a car for more than a week. We have 7 cars so 5 are usually on tenders.