[FC] FC battery

[Ron]

Discontinued the 51 and 51R?  No way, the optima web site still lists them. 
I have one in my '52 wagon.
RonH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris & Bill Strickland" <lechevrier at earthlink.net>
To: <corvanatics at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 11:16 AM
Subject: Re: [FC] FC battery


>
>>Small  correction -  Johnson Control's Optima brand batteries use
>>adsorptive  glass mat (AGM) technology not gel technology.  They are
>>excellent  batteries and stand up to heat and vibration better than
>>flooded batteries  due to their construction.
>>
>
> A couple of comments -- When Johnson Controls bought the Optima brand
> from it's original manufacturer (I believe it was Hawker Energy), they
> unfortunately discontinued the yellow top Honda batteries (the 51 & 51R)
> -- they would be a perfect choice for a Corvair, if they were still in
> the marketplace -- they also replaced the Optima's original  "pure lead'
> construction with a switch to recycled lead.  I've had both new and old
> Optimas and they have both worked quite well in service -- they do have
> special charging requirements of which one needs to be aware.
>
> Since JC has a local plant, I generally use a 51R by JC in whatever
> brand is offering the best value (sale price) the day I am buying -- not
> the cheapest, the best value, the most 0º cold cranking amps per
> dollar.  Since shipping costs are locally lower for the JC batteries,
> they are generally on sale somewhere locally.
>
> Another choice would be the Odyssey Battery -- 
> http://www.odysseybattery.com/ -- their PC925 is a good fit for FC's and
> earlies when turned on it's side, and since these batteries can be
> operated in any position, this is a normal installation.  This battery
> might not have huge CCA numbers, but it works fine in several hot rod
> applications with which I am familiar, easily starting high performance
> engines after lengthy periods of setting without charging.
>
> Since these Odyssey batteries are a bit dear retail, you need to find
> your regional distributor and see if he is offering a discount to car
> club members -- ours does, and that puts them in about the same price
> range as an Optima.
>
> Bill Strickland
>
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