Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Thanks Kev, so english charger on american battery is fine. so pleased about that.
Charger will be easy to get i see
http://www.autogeek.net/battery-tender-plus.html

Hemmings interesting article about batteries

http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2006/07/01/hmn_feature34.html

and this one for Optima 6 volt battery

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Optima-6-Volt-Battery,7163.html

Thanks Howard. Did not expect it to be that shape, interesting. Like this one Howard?
http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/batteries/other/G2EW.html


It makes sence to me to get new parts before shipping, Save so much money on shipping. The car i am hoping to get is a 1948 super eight convertible.

That is one but read thru this threadhttps://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=4505&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=0 and get a feel for the differences. The size and capacity are the big ones. You want as big a CCA as you can get but it has to fit in the holder. After you are familiar, then do a google search for group 3EH and 4EH batteries. It may even be available in UK as it was used in golf carts and tractors. That one you show is one we have referred to as a boutique battery in various threads. While it does the job, several of us have not had as long a life with those as with others.

Hey Kev,

If I remember right from your blog, you put a 55/56 battery tray & etc in your '54. What number Sears Die-Hard are you running? From the picture you posted in this thread, it looks real good to me. Plus, I've had very good luck with Die-Hards in the Past.

Thanks,

Jim

I take your point. Plus there much cheaper than the boutique battery.

http://www.staabbattery.com/product/320.html

The 3EH Battery has a width of 4 3/8 inches
But the 4EH is 5". Will the 5 " fit?
Also has CCA 930 compared to 850 CCA for the 3EH

Is the original battery size much different? Apart from the height which was talked about before. And refixing the hold down strap. Is there any pictures if that?

Gary, I use the 4EH size in my 47. The battery top hold down is a very tight fit but the CCA is larger and thats important to me. These batteries are used in tractors and road paving machines and are readily available. I have a friend who buys the correct look boutique batteries and he is lucky to get 3 years of use from them. The previous 4EH I bought lasted 8 years.

Dave, did you have to change the hold down strap?

I think i will go for 4EH,

Jim,

I am using the stock '54 Clipper battery tray. The retainer was missing when I got the car, so I sourced a repro one from the local So-Cal PI chapter.

I will have to look at the sticker that is facing the fender next time I am under hood. Something makes me want say it's a group 24, but dont hold me to that as I looked at about 50 batteries that day. The problem is not so much the tray, it's the retainer. So take your retainer to the store with you and test fit. The main problem is that most batteries these days have extra plastic on the side at the top where the handle snaps in. This prevents the retainer from going over. So I finally found this plain jane Die-Hard battery that was a perfect fit, and it didn't a handle. Also the other big pain in the butt was finding the terminals in the correct orientation.

Unless they changed manufacturers, Die-Hards used to by made by the same parent company that makes Optima batteries (Johnson Controls). Not the same cell technology, but the same manufacturer.

Just did a quick web check. Johnson Controls is the manufacturer for the following battery brands:

Autocraft
Kirkland Signature (Costco Brand)
OPTIMA
DieHard (Sears & Kmart)
Mazda (OEM Equipment)
EverStart
TrueStart
Honda (OEM Equipment)
Acura (OEM Equipment)
Mitsubishi (OEM Equipment)
Alliance
Duralast (Autozone)
Energizer