Batteries

   I bought a 6 volt battery from Tractor Supply and it only lasted a year and at poor performance during that time.   I bought a Optima 6 volt battery and installed it and another starter and it turns over better now than I ever expected. I got the Optima 6 volt at a lower cost than the box stores are selling their brand for by getting it through Amazon.com using their 50.00 gift card as a new customer.

    Jim

Forgive this somewhat silly question but I'm curious as to what you were expecting with your search feature comment.

Maybe we can help with your expectations....you should always click on Advanced Search by the way.

One suggestion.... When you click on Advanced Search make sure in the search options window that opens up, that All Forums is highlighted.  It doesn't seem to do it on its own and if a particular section is highlighted that's the only place it will search NOT the whole forum.

also on performance with 6 volts it is a good idea to make sure all contact are clean even ground connections. I have tractor with 6 volt that I use for tractor rides. [I am in Iowa] One ride was real wet and I had a bad case of corrosion after, later I cleaned all the connection and the tractor still started slow I finely removed the starter and cleaned between were the starter and the engine the was it. Greg

As you can see here, most of us have had varied experiences over the years with batteries. There are a lot of variables involved here in both the individual Jeeps (and owners) and the suppliers of batteries which complicates the whole matter. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Walmart battery but we all know that Walmart does not manufacture batteries; they contract with battery manufacturers and over the years these contracts go to different companies, usually based on price. Simply put, the battery you buy from them today may be made by a totally different manufacturer than one purchased 10 years ago. That is true of many battery suppliers.

Since most of this information is not available to us, we simply rely on our own experiences and those of others as you are doing here. By doing this, you will find a battery that you are satisfied with, but it may not be the first one you purchase.

I have used Interstate over the years with good results but decided to try the Optima technology, which did give me better cranking on my Jeep (47 CJ 2A). I did not like the non-original looks of the rounded Optima batteries and found out that I could get one disguised as an Autolite tar top battery from Antique Auto Batteries. It was more expensive but it satisfied my desire for an original look while improving the cranking power. Optima batteries are 'allegedly' supposed to last longer due to their improved technology; I just got mine this Spring so time will tell in my case. I do like the looks of it. I like the cranking power of it. I also purchased a Battery Minder to keep it at full charge when I don't drive it often.

So far, this solution has worked for me. Please place this in the "for what it's worth" category and you will find your own answer in time.

Darrell


Edited by Red Dog - 25 Sep. 2016 at 5:34pm

The Oreilly batteries did not seem to last long. Now part of that may have been all of the issues I had getting mine started again. I had a lot of issues, with grounding, timing, etc and probably messed one of them up draining and recharging numerous times. I will admit I have not checked the date on the second one but the the first one had been on the shelf for a long time and I eventually got them to replace it. There is not a huge 6 volt demand where I live and I imagine they sit for quite a while. I imagine I will try Walmart (probably don't have 6 volt by me) or tractor supply next. The optima is $112 on Amazon right now and it is an hour drive for me to get a 6 volt Interstate battery.  It kind of seems that a "good" battery is kind of hit and miss and also probably greatly depends on the status of your jeeps electrical system which I think mine is working pretty good right now. 

I have a 12 volt system in my Jeep and my battery is a 20 year old Optima.....yes 20 years old and still going strong! I keep a battery tender junior on it....I cannot believe it has lasted so long! Needless to say, I am a big fan of Optima.

Another vote for Optima. I have them in 6V and 12V antique equipment and they are super. If you want original look, black dummy covers are available...

This may be off base but maybe not. I live in a 24V world with a stock M38. 2-12V 51R series walmart batts in series for 24V. 6yrs and still strong. Don't overlook your requlator, overcharging causes as much damage/grief as undercharging. I don't know the 6V reggie but the 24V mil reggie has 3 adj towers for fine tuning. Yes the batt minder is employed in winter (like today).