Batteries and Succumbing to convenience

[marshalljackson]

For the 3rd time in five years, my Interstate 6-volt batteries gave up. Interstate want's $125 each for replacements. In the grand scheme of things, $250 every few years is a small price to pay for cruising in my Jup, but It's the inconvenience and overall lack of starting power that has finally convinced me to make a change. So. . . while in Walmart (yes, I said Walmart) I spotted a battery, Group 26R, 525 Cold cranking amps, 8.8 in. L x 6.8 in. W x 8 in. H. It fit in one battery compartment like a glove (about 1/4 inch gap all the way around). This battery cost $45! For another $6, I got a longer battery cable to span the now-empty extra battery cavity. Wow, up till now, my starter always sounded so 'sleepy'. But with a real battery. . . VROOM VROOM!! I still had to get out, crawl underneath, and smack the fuel pump a few times, but she started with vigor!

Now what am I going to do with all that extra storage space where battery #2 used to live? Perhaps I could move the fuel pump into that cavity so I could reach back and smack it while still sitting at the wheel. . .

Marshall Jackson
1951 Jowett Jupiter
1966 Ford Fairlane 500XL Convertible

[Leo Bolter]

Hi Marshall. It's nice to see you contributing to this Forum

Earlier today you said:

I still had to get out, crawl underneath, and smack the fuel pump a few times

I'm afraid there's no escaping the inevitable . . . . one of these days "smacking the pump" is not going to get it to pump fuel! The need for tapping the pump is a warning it pays to heed . . . .There's lots been said about SU pumps on this forum and there's also overhaul and setting up instructions on the Jowett Gallery. You may care to do a search of these sites. Here's a couple of starting points:

http://jowett.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1980

gallery2.php?g2_return=%2Fgallery%2Fmai ... tings%5D=1

Now what am I going to do with all that extra storage space where battery #2 used to live?

How about something like this?

This modification was actually done at the time of the restoration. The two boxes are a little deeper (to suit the height of the battery that I chose to use). There's little lips put in at the time to support the lids, but you may be able to do a similar "retrofit" on your car. The beauty of this mod. is that the battery (and the tools) are out of sight and more importantly, I guess, is that the carpet is no longer subject to rot because of acid fumes etc.

With the single 12volt battery there's never been a winding over on the starter issue . . . mind you, it doesn't get really cold here in NZ! Of course the batteries don't last forever . . . I guess that I get about 5 to 7 years out of them . . .

[Forumadmin]

Why not put a second battery in the now vacant slot (just to maintain the balance of the car) and use this to power a freezer unit in the boot(luggage space/trunk) for all the beer?

[Jack]

Why not put a second battery in the now vacant slot (just to maintain the balance of the car) and use this to power a freezer unit in the boot(luggage space/trunk) for all the beer?

Interesting fact, Massey Ferguson did almost exactly that for the French market (as a result of demand from customers and dealers) - they not only wanted a wine rack in the cab, but one cooled by the air conditioning system - just imagine the lines ploughed in a field after a couple of bottles!

Oh, to be a French farmer. Gives me an idea for the Bedford...

Jack.

[p.p.]

or for nice swiss fondué