In old car circles the subject of battery life often tends towards how batteries on vintage cars don't last as long as we would wish them to.
Just to be different, I thought it worthwhile sharing my recent experience.

When I purchased my current 1929 chummy in February 2009 the battery fitted was a "Fulmen" 6 volt 80AH obtained in France. This week, despite a recent charge, it would only turn the engine over too slowly for it to start.
The usual checks indicated to me that a replacement battery was in order. The ordered "Exide Vintage" 6 volt 80Ah arrived this lunchtime and I removed the defective battery from the car and replaced it with the recently arrived substitute.
I hadn't had the original battery off the car before so, I was interested to see, that in white paint on the casing was the installation date 19/06/2007 (this practise is common in France in case of warranty claims). I was quite impressed to see that the failed battery had been in service for 9 years and 7 months prior to failing - this on a 3rd brush dynamo charging system too.

A little research on Google yielded the info. that "Fulmen" was in fact, "Exide" in other markets. So, in effect, I had replaced like with like. I shall be interested to see if the replacement can measure up to the longevity of its predecessor.

Incidentally, I obtained the replacement from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252606907029?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Ordered Sunday evening, delivered filled and charged this lunchtime - also quite impressive, I thought.

Usual disclaimers. Satisfied customer only.

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Hi
The Exide battery I put on my Ruby in May 1998 lasted until 2011 - again on a three brush dynamo - but I use the car all year round and always start the car on the handle so it tended to stay fully charged.
Regards
Colin

Thirteen years is good going Colin but, if you don't use the starter it hasn't had a hard life.

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Yes - the guy I bought the next battery from said to keep doing what I was doing as it was obviously working - but he didn't look too happy - not good for business! But then I suffered a serious short on this second battery from the speedo cable coming into contact with the starter switch and it soon failed - so I was back for another one after just two years!
Colin

The other thing about never using the starter, Colin, is that just for ignition and lighting a semi knackered battery can stagger along for years as long as it is regularly charged - as yours is due to regular usage.

They always first show signs of failure when asked to supply cranking amps, usually in cold weather when lead acid batteries are at their least efficient anyway.

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Ian,
I have a Halfords 12v battery on my RN. It has been in use since March 2003, charged infrequently with the Lidl intelligent charger and started the car up as usual 5mins ago. It must be on its last legs by now.
Dave.

Location: Sheffield

As a matter of interest, can any of the electrical gurus here tell me whether I can safely use a 12 volt charger to charge two 6 volt batteries connected in series?

I have a good 6 volt charger/starter, but at the moment the batteries on both the RP and the PD are near the end of their useful lives and it would be useful if I could top both up at the same time.

Time for a new Exide, I think!

Location: Herefordshire, with an "E" not a "T".

Hi Martin, yes, that should be OK (in fact, in series, used to be the standard workshop way of charging several similar batteries from a high voltage DC source - the current being set by a built in rheostat }

Just for my own peace of mind, I would check the on charge voltage across each battery occasionally, just to be sure that it was fairly evenly divided.

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Location: Shropshire

Martin.My MGA has 2 6volt batteries in series and I always charge up in situ as a pair -no problems over the last 50 years.

Location: The pits,Leicester

I'd always recommend using a smart charger on your battery. I keep mine on it all the time as it will evaluate the state of the battery, discharge it occasionally and re-charge it as required. Sitting unused in a cold garage is not the best way to keep one in good condition, or so I was told by my local sparks guru...

Location: Ripon

Location: Herefordshire, with an "E" not a "T".

Location: Herefordshire, with an "E" not a "T".