$359 period correct battery - broken in 2 days

[Chuck Swanson]

I saw the car in the shop with the new battery, it was flawless.

Scott took the car out and beat the crap out of it when he was finished.
You know it went back into the bay, hood opened, back up on the lift for
a post beating autopsy. Remember this guy works on the #4 funny car in
America. Scott would have noticed a damaged battery at that time and he
didn't test drive it over a pool table.

The car stayed in the bay until I picked it up. A lot of people come and go in
that garage when Scott isn't there. I never had a caddy, or any other car with
a battery hold down, this car didn't come with one, doesn't mean it wasn't original
equipment. As far as jarring the battery - you can drive this car over railroad tracks
and not spill a drop of the cocktail at your lips. It just floats.

That deep gouge on the top of the battery forward of the terminal didn't happen
from a loose battery in a floating car hitting a pothole, its vandalism.

And I think Scott knows it...

\m/
Laurie

As Scot mentions, this can happen when a battery is not secure.  Maybe it didn't happen on the first ride or two, but maybe a bump from just the right angle was needed to break the plastic.  I have seen before.  As mentioned, it happened on my RV.  My RV is the "Cadillac" of RVs, American Coach luxury brand, it was $200K when new in '98 and floats down the highway with 6 22" tires....I didn't buy it new BTW, bought used   Interstate RV batteries are monsters with hard cases.  After careless putting my batteries in one Spring after picking up my RV from storage, I drove 3 miles on a new paved road, and when I got home, the battery post was cracked as I figured no sense putting on the bracket to hold them down until I get home...maybe a bump in my driveway did it, not sure.  I lucky only one post broke as I have 6 huge batteries in it. 

I also had a '69 Fleetwood Limo, and I didn't have my cables on tight, and popped loose one time while driving. 

My '97 Dodge Ram (plow truck) a few years back, the post broke as I had a bungee cord on the tray (PITA to removed the rusted hold downs).  Beat the heck out of it for a year and a half, before the post broke on that.  Who knows why it took a year and a half as the battery was not held down tight.   Bought new metal hold down and a new battery, no problem plowing 5 yrs later.  Bottom line, I would caution on any vandalism as this is common when batteries are not secured.  Chuck

[gkhashem]

I have discovered recently that all these replica batteries were assembled by Antique Auto Battery. I have bought mine in the past from Restoration Battery which bought them from Antique Auto Battery.

Even Battery Central Mall got them from Antique Auto Battery. Something has happened to the owner of Antique Auto Battery death or otherwise that they are no longer able to run the company.

As of now I have been told a new person has either purchased Antique Auto Battery or something and new batteries will be produced soon.

So a business opportunity is available for a younger person to start a new business. Get a license from GM to produce the shells and then put modern AGM batteries inside the shells. This is what they are doing.

Yes all you experts out there you need a license from GM or they will come after you.

BTW the reason the plastic broke is the posts are just extended on a cable from the battery inside which is smaller than the case. So I guess do not push too hard on the terminals.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

I just recently found out that "something is wrong" at
Antique Auto Battery and you've confirmed it.

I tried a number of times over the last month to contact
them.  I phoned (nobody answers), sent E-mails and left
messages to no avail.  I previously purchased their products
for the last 30 years.

I finally ordered what I needed from Battery Central Mall
and talked with the folks there.  They told me current lead
time is about 6 weeks so we'll see.  As far as Restoration
Battery, I also knew they were buying their stuff from
Antique Auto.

I also heard -- don't know if it's true -- that part of the
problem with availability is that the Optima Batteries are
no longer made in the USA but that production has moved
to Mexico.

Mike

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

I just recently found out that "something is wrong" at
Antique Auto Battery and you've confirmed it.

I tried a number of times over the last month to contact
them.  I phoned (nobody answers), sent E-mails and left
messages to no avail.  I previously purchased their products
for the last 30 years.

I finally ordered what I needed from Battery Central Mall
and talked with the folks there.  They told me current lead
time is about 6 weeks so we'll see.  As far as Restoration
Battery, I also knew they were buying their stuff from
Antique Auto.

I also heard -- don't know if it's true -- that part of the
problem with availability is that the Optima Batteries are
no longer made in the USA but that production has moved
to Mexico.

Mike

Battery Central Mall is where my 2 day $359 battery came from Mike.

\m/
Laurie

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Hi Laurie:

Yes, I knew your battery came from Battery Central Mall.
However, right now they're the only game in town and
I need two new batteries.

They do have a 4 year warranty on their classic batteries
so I'm not worried.

Mike

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Hi Laurie:

Yes, I knew your battery came from Battery Central Mall.
However, right now they're the only game in town and
I need two new batteries.

They do have a 4 year warranty on their classic batteries
so I'm not worried.

Mike

Wonder if that warranty includes materials failure?
I've emailed them twice, with pics, no response. I'll call them next.
Hope you have great luck with your batteries Mike!
\m/
Laurie

[gkhashem]

Again if anyone was paying attention  to my above post.

Battery Central Mall was still getting them from Antique Auto Battery until recently.

Now they somehow have a another maker who has taken over in some form from Antique Auto Battery. New management I was told.

No batteries will be shipped per the owner Wayne(Battery Mall Central) until mid May and they have a huge back log.

I ordered from him on March 13th and just called again a few days ago. So I got this straight from Wayne. Not sure if they will deliver but he seems to talk a good game. We will see. At least he did not charge my credit card yet so maybe they will deliver.

I did see a 51K from Sam's Club that was narrow with the incorrect terminal set up but at least it would fit in the tray. I wonder if it would work?

I was told I would not get one until mid to late June.

The only reason I am getting one was I have 2 1959 GM cars and that battery is narrow and has a different terminal set up. Other than that I do not buy these batteries anymore since I have had up and down success with them.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Yes George -- I read your original posting.  I just
wasn't sure if somebody actually did take over
Antique Auto's business or not.  Your original posting
sounded to me like a "possible new owner".  Glad it's confirmed.

In any event, thanks for posting the info.  Let us
know when you receive your battery!

Battery Mall Central has not charged my card yet
either.  Fortunately, I don't have any critical dates
or shows booked.  If I get them by July or so I'm
happy.

BTW, my last two batteries from Antique Auto
lasted over 8 years -- however, I keep a Battery
Tender hooked up at all times when not driving.

Mike

[V63]

An unsecured battery could well have done this damage. Good news no fire. The battery would be subject to upward forces too. The cable could short around sheet metal hole. A rubber grommet  should be used.

[Scot Minesinger]

Lots of posts on this, in any event hope your battery has been properly secured. 

I have driven over 40k miles in a 1970 Cadillac and the battery was always secured.  Never suffered this type of damage.  Cadillac spent millions in engineering.  An engineer can do for a dollar what any fool can do for three the saying goes.  If this was not needed, a battery hold down would not have been standard factory issue.

This type of hold down was used from 1969 thru 1974.  The 71 thru 74 might be a little different.  There should be many left, plus you can bend a 5/16" stock to make your own.

[cadillacmike68]

Laurie, did Scot at the shop replace the battery for you yet? If he does, make sure you get the receipts, etc. And check it every couple days to be sure the new one doesn't have the same thing happen to it. It could have bounced up and struck the hood - there might be an hi amp arc mark from that on the hood.

As for me I'll stick with the ACDelco ones that have 6 yr warranties and can be obtained nearly anywhere.

[Chuck Swanson]

Most battery warranties state "excludes failure due to improper installation", so chance is low, but you never know   Again, as many have mentioned, this is a common issue unfortunately when any brand battery is not secured.

Chuck

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

I had no way of knowing the battery needed to be secured, I never saw a battery hold down on any of my Caddy's...

Scott had no way of knowing either. Thought I did chastise him a bit today when I saw him... "a hold down is mentioned in the Bible under battery."

He wants to make one, need to send him a pic. I have one from Mike Josephic and I can take a pic from the Bible.

Scott also has a lead on a NOS battery for this car, never been used/activated. If he can get it he's giving it to me. In the meantime, I'm a carpenter, and I was told to not let something move. So a little ingenuity, the battery won't move if the car flips over....

\m/
Laurie

[Dan LeBlanc]

If it makes you feel any better, I poked a hole in my brand new condenser last night.  The screw for the filter/dryer from the original condenser was too long and perforated one of the tubes.  Shipping it off tomorrow to have it repaired.

Oh . . . and at some point, my radiator was replaced.  God knows when.  The one in there appears to be thicker than the original so do you think I can get the condenser out with the radiator in there like the shop manual says?  No way!  Out comes the radiator next.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

If it makes you feel any better, I poked a hole in my brand new condenser last night.  The screw for the filter/dryer from the original condenser was too long and perforated one of the tubes.  Shipping it off tomorrow to have it repaired.

Oh . . . and at some point, my radiator was replaced.  God knows when.  The one in there appears to be thicker than the original so do you think I can get the condenser out with the radiator in there like the shop manual says?  No way!  Out comes the radiator next.

Oh no!

I'm still interested in your old condenser!

\m/
Laurie

\m/

[cadillacmike68]

"Activate" a 50 year old battery??? Never heard of it.

Unless it NEVER had acid in it.

But in that case I wouldn't expect it to last more than a year or two.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

I'm afraid I have to agree with Cadillacmike68, a 50
year old battery is good for only one thing -- a door
stop.

Even if it's never been activated, the condition of the
internal plates after all that time, especially not knowing
how it was stored, is very questionable.

Mike

[savemy67]

Hello all,

I recall that all the Sears DieHard batteries that we bought at the Sears store in Honolulu back in the '60s and '70s were dry and had to have the "acid" added to them, and be charged, before we could carry one out of the store or put it in a car.

If the lead plates have not been exposed to moisture, and there is no evidence of oxidization, there is a good chance a 50 year old battery can be put into service.

Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Winter

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Hi Christopher:

You hit the "nail on the head" so to speak with
your comment about "exposed to moisture".

These batteries were not sealed (they had vent
holes in the caps remember).  The lead plates
do undergo a slow chemical decomposition due
to exposure to moisture and oxygen in the air.
The negative plates get coated with lead oxide
as a result.

Dry stored batteries can be kept viable for a
number of years with proper storage conditions.
However, 50 years is is far beyond reasonable.
Especially when the storage conditions are
unknown.

Any life, once acid is added and the battery
charged, would at best be very short.

Mike

[Scot Minesinger]

The idea that the mechanic (or whoever replaced the battery) had no idea a battery should be secured is ridiculous.  Every battery on every car ever produced is secured.  Granted some not well secured, but secured nonetheless.  For a mechanic to claim that they did not know a car battery had to be secured is the same as a musician saying that they did not know a guitar had to have strings to make music.

That is extremely common mechanical flaw in collector Cadillacs (and probably many other classics and daily drivers).  I notice the battery secure mechanical feature is missing frequently, and always check this.  I would never replace a battery without securing it, even if had to rig up something temporary.

Whoever replaced that battery suffers a liability.  In your original post you had wrote that the mechanic offered to pay for it, and that is probably why.