Battery?

[23 Reo 229]

Please remind me of what size battery my 68 Charger 12 uses. Who sells these batteries at a fair price?

[ebinmaine 67,533]

If it's the standard Garden Tractor battery it's a U1 or U1R. 

 

If it's the larger size it could have been a group 24NF but I use group 35 with a small wooden spacer to take up slack.  

Both of my C-160S have that. 

Many salvage yards sell used batteries. 

 

[ri702bill 8,326]

The most common battery size for a WH is either U1, or U1-R (posts reversed) Get one with at least 400 CCA - same physical size. Walmart or Tractor Supply.

Either way - check the "Date Made", not the "Date Shipped" sticker - like bread, the fresher, the better. Prices have shot up, warranty coverage the other way.

Got into a tinklefest over the difference of those stickers with a FORMER Tractor Supply worker..

Edited September 16, 2023 by ri702bill

[peter lena 8,631]

 @23 Reo  LAST TIME AT WALLY300, cca 32$ , noted a 350 cca T bout $ 52.  pete

[JCM 9,168]

I use NAPA Batteries Dave and they last for years when taken care of. See Dave at the Ipswich,Ma  NAPA store. If your not sure measure your battery tray etc . He will help you and tell him I said Hi.

[ebinmaine 67,533]

2 hours ago, ri702bill said:

Prices have shot up, warranty coverage the other way.

That's why I stared getting salvage yard batteries. 

$25-$40 and they last several years. 

[Achto 27,587]

This is an average price for a 22NFD battery, if that is what you need.

 

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/lawn-garden/super-start-lawn-garden-battery-group-size-22nf/sbe1/22nf/v/a/127768/automotive-suv-2014-jeep-cherokee

[peter lena 8,631]

@23 Reo   also have a battery tender set up ,  on each of my horses , plug in is attached to the choke cable , TYE  wrapped in place for easy access, Pete

[23 Reo 229]

Will do.

[JCM 9,168]

Are you using this machine year round and not for winter duty. If a good weather tractor you can opt for less cold cranking amps and store the battery in a warm area for Winter. Will save some money doing it that way. I can't say enough about NAPA batteries.

[peter lena 8,631]

@23 Reo   improvement pictures , scroll down to the  5 th picture , notice the battery tender plug in ?  also note the battery ground cable going to engine corner/ frame , for early RECTIFIER  grounding improvement , now I just go directly to the rectifier mount bolts , don't get me started , pete

 

[23 Reo 229]

I put all my summer (tractor and car) batteries in my basement for winter. They are cleaned and distilled water is added if needed. I then put them on an old bookshelf with the positive terminals out. They are then fully charged with the charger moving to the next battery in line. I repeat the charging process about once a month until spring. I've always been concerned that a tender could fry my battery if I keep it connected for a long period of time.

[ebinmaine 67,533]

12 hours ago, 23 Reo said:

I put all my summer (tractor and car) batteries in my basement for winter. They are cleaned and distilled water is added if needed. I then put them on an old bookshelf with the positive terminals out. They are then fully charged with the charger moving to the next battery in line. I repeat the charging process about once a month until spring. I've always been concerned that a tender could fry my battery if I keep it connected for a long period of time.

We do a very similar setup here. 

Same lineup. Same procedure.  

Same concern about toasting a battery.  

My battery tenders are 1 amp manual. 

The charger I use is fully automatic.  If/when I forget to switch them over it won't overcharge.  

 

 

[lynnmor 7,307]

14 hours ago, JCM said:

Are you using this machine year round and not for winter duty. If a good weather tractor you can opt for less cold cranking amps and store the battery in a warm area for Winter. Will save some money doing it that way. I can't say enough about NAPA batteries.

 

NAPA batteries are made by East Penn, any brand made by them are the same, only prices vary a lot.

 

Batteries last longer if kept at low temperatures, one study is below.

Lead Acid Batteries

Effect of Temperature

Effect of temperature on battery life

 

Lead acid batteries are cost effective and reliable, making them suitable for many applications. One serious drawback compared to some other batteries (NiCad for example), is that lead acid batteries are affected by temperature. Lead acid batteries should only be used where they are installed in conditioned environments not subject to excessive temperatures.

Typically the rating for lead acid batteries is based on an ambient temperature of 25^oC. For every 8^oC above ambient during use, the life of the battery will be reduced by 50%. Ideally batteries should be operated at 25^oC or less.

In addition to operation, storage of batteries waiting for use is also affected by temperature. If lead acid batteries are stored at elevated temperatures (particularly in a discharged condition), they will effectively become useless. If storing batteries, they should be in charged and stored at 25^oC or less. Batteries will self discharge over time and need to be recharged periodically.

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,533]

1 hour ago, lynnmor said:

Typically the rating for lead acid batteries is based on an ambient temperature of 25^oC. For every 8^oC above ambient during use, the life of the battery will be reduced by 50%. Ideally batteries should be operated at 25^oC or less.

 

That chart looks about like what I've been told but translated to F⁰.  

 

It starts at 15⁰C. About 59⁰F. 

 

I've been under the impression for many years that a battery should be stored between 45⁰F and 70⁰F so that all jives well.