Inexpensive Battery for a Jet

[Deleted User]

Hi All, just wondering what would be a good, but inexpensive battery for my '54 Jet.

Thanks!
Mike

lostmind

napa --get the most cca you can afford

Nevada Hudson

Or try battery's plus if there is one nearby.

Jon B

Depends on your definition of "inexpensive" and "good"!

First, you need to ascertain: does your car use a Group 1 or a Group 2 battery.  Next, you would want to look at the cold cranking amps (CCA, as Lostmind indicates, above).  The higher the better.  Then, note the guarantee period.  Finally, look at the price.  Then compare the two or three batteries you discover,  to see what you're getting for the money. 

You can get a "cheaper" battery with 500 or 600 CCA but you'll be sorry when it poops out in the dead of  winter, or on a hot summer's day when you stall in traffic.  The few dollars you saved on the battery is quickly offset by the cost of the tow truck.

I won't go deeply into comparisons but here's a quickie:  Tractor supply offers an Exide Group 1 for $79.99 (plus tax), with 625 CCA.

In comparison, I got a DEKAGroup 2  battery from Batteries Plus for $90 (including tax) and it has 780 CCA for less than $10 more than the Exide.  I would say that the life of my battery will b 4-5 years.

These are the old fashioned lead-acid batteries. The Optima Red (6 volt gel battery) lists for $112 + tax at Amazon.com.  CCA is 800.  These batteries are a new technology and many car owners report 5, 10 or more years on them.  They usually list at maybe $150 so $112 would be a real bargain, though I'm told that if you buy batteries via the internet(instead of a local dealer)  you can't take them to the local dealer if they die prematurely;  you have to ship them back to the internet seller and wait...

You may find an even better bargain in batteries.  Then you have to juggle your options.  The $80 battery  is less than the $112 one but in terms of the expected life of the battery, the Optima wins, hands down.  And it has 175 more CCA.  The DEKA is somewhere in the middle.

You get what you pay for.

J Spencer

Posted comments are right on,  only in a 6 volt battery there is not much choice in the given battery group.  A group one is going to be right at 625- 650 CCA and a group 2 is usually 675 CCA.The more CCA's the more cranking power for cranking/starting the engine. Knowing that you probably will not be concerned with winter starting , remember the summer heat is worse on the battery. I don't believ a group 2 will fit a Jet without modifying the battery box. Even as much (or more) importance is the correct gauge 0 or 00 battery cables and grounds.  Local parts stores 12 volt cables  are not heavy enough for a 6 volt system.

As a final word, having been an auto mechanic and counter for Advance Auto parts the last 14 years I always tried to sell the customer the  best battery for their needs. I have had more than one customer insist on buying the cheap battery and then come back in the winter time bitchin that his car won't crank/start becaus of buying the cheap battery.  Nuff said.