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Good 6v Battery

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Jim Eyster, Dec 16, 2021.

  1. Dec 16, 2021
    Jim Eyster

    Jim Eyster Member 2022 Sponsor

    Central Ohio
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    My 6v battery isn’t holding a charge. What’s a good brand to replace it with?
     
  2. Dec 16, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Leaving Optima out of the mix there's really only about three companies making batteries- Exide, Penn State & Interstate IIRC. Anything you get at a FLAPS will be a re-branded Exide or Penn S.

    They're all about the same, since the introduction of computer controlled production lines they're all pretty much Wednesday afternoon quality. Anything that doesn't last three years just means God doesn't like you. :(
     
    Walt Couch, jeepstar and Jim Eyster like this.
  3. Dec 16, 2021
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Odyssey is the best quality but pricey. They tend to be more compact as well.
    Otherwise I agree with the above.
     
    Jim Eyster likes this.
  4. Dec 16, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I've found the same. And three years is all I ever get from a six volt, don't know why that is other than maybe the seasonal use and primitive voltage regulators. I wonder also about the high percentage of recycled lead. :shrug:

    Used to be, they'd say get a Caterpilar or such, but they were too pricey. I don't know these days.
     
    Jim Eyster likes this.
  5. Dec 16, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Pep Boys. Keep it on a battery maintainer.
     
  6. Dec 16, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Jun 19, 2009
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    Spend the money on an 8 volt battery. World of difference.
     
    Jim Eyster likes this.
  7. Dec 16, 2021
    Nebr1957CJ5

    Nebr1957CJ5 I will do it tomorrow

    Lincoln NE
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    I've done that and it does make a difference.
     
    Jim Eyster likes this.
  8. Dec 16, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Them be made 20miles west of me. I have one that didn't make the truck. They are also rebadged for other names of agm and fwiw our tanks use em.
     
  9. Dec 16, 2021
    Jim Eyster

    Jim Eyster Member 2022 Sponsor

    Central Ohio
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    I like this idea. Dumb question: What about charging in the vehicle and externally. Do I need an 8v charger?
     
  10. Dec 17, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Most chargers put out more than 8 volts, so it should charge. I have never had a problem with mine.
     
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  11. Dec 17, 2021
    TonyM

    TonyM Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Middle Tennessee
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    I grabbed a 6v battery off the shelf at Autozone a year ago (12/30/20 to be exact) and it works like a charm in my stock '56. I don't recall the brand name... Duralast, maybe? I looked at other brands and didn't see the need to spend more money and I have, and use, a disconnect on the negative post whenever I'm not driving the jeep which can sometimes be for weeks at a time. I have no add-on electrical accessories on the jeep and run LEDs bulbs in the tail/stoplights, everything else are incandescents. Everything works as it should whenever I connect the battery and start her up!

    Buy a 6v charger in case you need to juice it up and make sure your voltage regulator is calibrated to 6v, which it should be since you were already running that way.
     
    Jim Eyster likes this.
  12. Dec 18, 2021
    Nebr1957CJ5

    Nebr1957CJ5 I will do it tomorrow

    Lincoln NE
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    You might tweek the voltage regulator to make it charge better, but I've heard people go back and forth on that quite a bit. I left mine be since while it would be good for the battery, it would be harder on the bulbs and gauges.
     
    Jim Eyster likes this.
  13. Dec 18, 2021
    Jim Eyster

    Jim Eyster Member 2022 Sponsor

    Central Ohio
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    I’m picking up an 8v this morning at a local O’reilly’s. It was about the same price as a 6v. Wasn’t in stock, but it took less than 24 hrs to get it to the store. We’ll see how it works.
     
  14. Dec 18, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Properly setting an OEM regulator 'by the book' is actually a very complex and specific procedure.
     
    Arnold Layne likes this.
  15. Dec 18, 2021
    Nebr1957CJ5

    Nebr1957CJ5 I will do it tomorrow

    Lincoln NE
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    Which was also a major factor in me not messing with it.
     
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