Question: Replacement battery for 1971 Vette?

[steelycan]

My battery is dead on my 71 Vette. What should the battery gauge read if it is charging properly? I'm not sure if it is the alternator or the battery. If I need a battery can anyone tell me if a Die Hard is available and if so which one? I dont want to pay high $ for original style replacement.

Thanks!

Steely

 

[Evolution1980]

Someone else can/will confirm for sure, but I believe it's pretty standard that with the car running, you should be reading about 13.5-14 volts at the battery.
With the car off, anything less than 12 volts and your battery will need to be tested. You can always put a trickle charger on it and see if it's taking and holding a charge after 24 hours.

As for a replacement, I don't know if they were different in the early 70's, but with my '80 I just took my old one to a Sears and had 'em give me an equivalent new DieHard. Came with 5 or 7 year cranking warranty. I had really good results with my last DieHard, and I didn't even cycle that one through the storage months.

 

[Crimson Thunder]

I have a Die-Hard in mine.It's actually labeled as a SUV battery but has both top and side terminals.

 

[73shark]

Most auto parts places will test your battery/alternator/starter for free.

 

[White75]

Someone else can/will confirm for sure, but I believe it's pretty standard that with the car running, you should be reading about 13.5-14 volts at the battery.
With the car off, anything less than 12 volts and your battery will need to be tested. You can always put a trickle charger on it and see if it's taking and holding a charge after 24 hours.

As for a replacement, I don't know if they were different in the early 70's, but with my '80 I just took my old one to a Sears and had 'em give me an equivalent new DieHard. Came with 5 or 7 year cranking warranty. I had really good results with my last DieHard, and I didn't even cycle that one through the storage months.

The tests you list are correct. As far as a replacement you can pretty much go anywhere and get you a battery. I got mine at Wally World as it was the cheapest one out there.

 

[Vette79]

Someone else can/will confirm for sure, but I believe it's pretty standard that with the car running, you should be reading about 13.5-14 volts at the battery.
With the car off, anything less than 12 volts and your battery will need to be tested. You can always put a trickle charger on it and see if it's taking and holding a charge after 24 hours.

As for a replacement, I don't know if they were different in the early 70's, but with my '80 I just took my old one to a Sears and had 'em give me an equivalent new DieHard. Came with 5 or 7 year cranking warranty. I had really good results with my last DieHard, and I didn't even cycle that one through the storage months.

The trickle charger or battery tender really works well especially during the winter!

 

[Evolution1980]

The trickle charger or battery tender really works well especially during the winter!

Yeah, I use one now, but I didn't on my last battery and it lasted well beyond it's warranty period.

 

[Vanity Plate Bob]

Just read recently when purchasing a battery U should get one less than 6 months old. All batteries are stamped as to the date of their manufacture. Some are simple to deceipher and some not. I sure each manufacturer will have a web site explaining the code or give them a phone call and they will advise U. Some sellers, I'm sure will give U a cock and bull story of how he just unloaded them from the truck that the dirver drove all night to get to his store so they would be fresh.

 

[Hib Halverson]

My battery is dead on my 71 Vette. What should the battery gauge read if it is charging properly? I'm not sure if it is the alternator or the battery. If I need a battery can anyone tell me if a Die Hard is available and if so which one? I dont want to pay high $ for original style replacement.

Thanks!

Steely

A fully charged battery in good condition will read 12.6 volts when measured with a voltmeter.

But....a batter can, also, read 12.6 and not be capible of starting the car. This is why the proper way to test a battery is with a load tester.

 

[LLC5]

Just read recently when purchasing a battery U should get one less than 6 months old. All batteries are stamped as to the date of their manufacture. Some are simple to deceipher and some not. I sure each manufacturer will have a web site explaining the code or give them a phone call and they will advise U. Some sellers, I'm sure will give U a cock and bull story of how he just unloaded them from the truck that the dirver drove all night to get to his store so they would be fresh.

Great advice, closer to one or two months would be better though. Quality battery distributors usually change stock every month, but as a consumer it is best to check the date of manufacturer yourself. Having the battery load tested beore purchasing like Hib said is also a good idea also as most places that sell battery's have the equipment to do so.

 

[Vanity Plate Bob]

Just like the doctor diagnosis. Sometimes good to get a second opinion.
My cousin has a garage and has gotten into some squabbles because of
shoddy diagnosis by inexperienced technicians at the parts store.
Parts aren't cheap ( inexpensive ) anymore.

 

[Evolution1980]

Just read recently when purchasing a battery U should get one less than 6 months old.

Did the write up say why? I'm curious as to the difference between one that's sat brand new on a shelf for 7 months versus one that sat in a car for 7 months without being used.

I'm gonna guess that the battery will slowly lose it's charge and unless you are right there at the point of purchase installing the new battery, you don't want to get home and find you don't have the cranking amps available. However, once the car is started and the alternator is sending a charge back into the battery, it should be as good as a 2 month old battery, no?

Or are these (lead acid?) batteries, even when new, prone to lose their capacitance that easily after sitting idle for a few months?

I would think it would be somewhat of a moot issue after the initial start of the car since just about any battery is going have a minimum of a 12 month warranty.

 

[jeffn]

Die Hard in mine too....Get the more expensive one....Like $110.....It's worth it.

 

[Vanity Plate Bob]

GM dealer manual reads to start or jump each vehicle every 30 days. Car needs like 500 miles on before they warranty for a new battery.