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Starting With The Battery...

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Ray Hogan, Aug 2, 2019.

  1. Aug 3, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    No such a thing as a charging cycle in an automobile, they're always on float charge while the vehicle is running. What may be different is the float voltage.
     
    Jw60 likes this.
  2. Aug 3, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    That's what I was wondering, what could be different other than the voltage.
     
  3. Aug 3, 2019
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    If you guys really want to check a battery buy a gravity tester and use it. This will tell you if the battery is even worth putting on the charger or tossing more so than anything you can come up with.

    I don’t know why anybody that uses a lead acid battery doesn’t have one, there cheap and the only thing truly accurate.
     
  4. Aug 3, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    'Cause we all used to have one & have 40 years worth of pants with acid holes burned through them to show for it. :(

    Last word on battery testing-

    [​IMG]

    Car Battery Testers and Electrical System Testers - Midtronics

    Used these things for years- Very Slick :)
     
    Lee Bennett likes this.
  5. Aug 3, 2019
    Ray Hogan

    Ray Hogan Member

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    Well, I’m working today but had the chance to run by Walmart at lunch. I looked at two similar batteries, one a 24 group (as someone mentioned earlier as the correct physical size and yes it is, ha) with 700 cca at $120 and then I checked out it’s brother 24F with 725 cca at $94.00 but the terminals are reversed. Is there a reason for me not to buy the cheaper 24F and just flip it around 180 degrees in the tray? The cables should be long enough with the top-located terminal posts shifting toward the other top side edge of the battery, it seems to me. Am I missing something? Thanks!
     
  6. Aug 3, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    At $26 cheaper isn't it a lesser quality battery? As far as switching you certainly wouldn't be the first....I might have done that myself at one point in time. :) I'm not sure how the Jeep will feel about it though. ;)
     
    tripilio likes this.
  7. Aug 3, 2019
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    Eastern TN
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    I flipped mine 180 for no real reason aside from aesthetics.

    The label now shows and the terminals are closer to the firewall.
    The PO had it the other way around. Only do it if your cables can reach.

    Don’t forget your treated terminal protectors and the spray...

    MC101 NCP2 Battery Terminal Treatment Kit

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2021
  8. Aug 3, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Posts will be at the back and likely interfere with the factory hold-down. Better to keep the posts away from the firewall and run longer cables, if you want to use the post-reversed 24F. JMO.

    Not sure why the 24F would be any less. Make sure it's not been on the shelf at Walmart for a long time. Or it has a shorter guarantee or worse pro-rate. Last time I went to Walmart and looked at batteries, the prices had gone up, so this may be old stock. 700 vs. 725 cca is nothing IMO.
     
  9. Aug 3, 2019
    Ray Hogan

    Ray Hogan Member

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    Ha, I may switch, you only live once. It’s the same battery, 5 more cca for some reason, but a little cheaper. I’m going to be able to use the original battery holders with the now properly-sized battery. I’m going to cut away the peeling/cracked rubber coating from the rubber/plastic coated top holder and spray it back with the aerosol version of the Plasti Dip product. The thing to do is to soak the can of Plasti Dip in hot water to get it up to about 100 degrees, then it will atomize better for a smoother spray, then build up the thickness by spraying four or five thin coats. I will show before and after pics...neat stuff! The battery cost savings will more than pay for the Plasti Dip.
     
  10. Aug 3, 2019
    Ray Hogan

    Ray Hogan Member

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    The top holddown is three sided and offset to one side, only need to turn it 180 degrees too for it to work. Both batteries are new stock, for some reason the 24F is cheaper, Walmart salesperson said maybe because they don’t sale as many in that configuration, beats me.
     
  11. Aug 3, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Quick online search said the F is 1/2" longer, but that was just 1 answer. I'm sure it would be fine, but will the hold down work?
     
  12. Aug 3, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Just checked, mine is a 24-6. I don't have the original hold down though so can't help with knowing whether the top bracket fits.
     
  13. Aug 3, 2019
    Ray Hogan

    Ray Hogan Member

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    I noticed the online measurements also, but I put a tape on both in the store and they are the same, can’t trust anyone, ha!
     
    Glenn likes this.
  14. Aug 3, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    Good choice! :)
     
  15. Aug 3, 2019
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    Eastern TN
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    Isn’t the battery for an F head or earlier CJ5 mounted up by the radiator? Isn’t Ray’s battery also?

    Since you say that about the firewall, I might just flip my battery back around.
     
  16. Aug 3, 2019
    65seejayfive

    65seejayfive Blazin’ new trails

    Pennsylvania
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    It should be, at least from factory as far as I know.
     
  17. Aug 3, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    I just replaced the battery last week. The old one was from 2013. Have a Napa just down the road, so they set me up with this one. Their catalog showed two sizes, but the larger does not fit on the tray, and also to high for the factory “J” bolts to work.
    Not sure if the hold down brace is original on mine, but works very well.
     
  18. Aug 3, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Yes, by the radiator.
     
  19. Aug 3, 2019
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Not sure I can go along with you on this one Howard, $12-$15 for a battery hydrometer versus several hundred dollars (cheapest i found was $131) for a fancy tester. I'm not that rich and its not my main business. I've never ruined anything with a battery hydrometer, a cup of water to rinse it out after you've tested and squeezed the acid back into the battery. Quite easy and I thought common sense. YMMV
     
    Lee Bennett likes this.
  20. Aug 3, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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