Battery Maintenance for Classic Cars
Generally speaking, people don't use their classic cars as daily-drivers. That's got its upsides and its downsides, one of the more obvious pluses being that classics don't tend to get knocked about as much as the average commuter or family hack and they're not subjected to the same amounts of wear and tear, either. On the minus side, however, some vehicle components need to do a bit of work to remain fully functional - a case of use it or lose it - which is especially true of car batteries.
Both the UMPH-mobiles - his trusty Galant and rather more temperamental X1/9 - have suffered from under-utilisation and battery problems in the past. To have a battery newer than two years old fail is not only frustrating, it's expensive! UMPH knows he's not alone in having experienced battery issues, either; similar tales of woe are not uncommon in classic car circles (even for vehicles with otherwise well-maintained electrical systems).
The Galant's most recent battery is now over seven years old and is still going strong, even though the car does fewer than 5,000 kilometres (3,000 miles) per year. The Exxie's is about five years old and is also performing well, despite being used slightly less. UMPH attributes the longevity of his cars' batteries to three things over and above normal good battery husbandry: (1) fitting isolator switches, (2) using small solar trickle-chargers and (3) treating them with Inox Batrolyte.
The Solar Trickle-charger
As car batteries age, their ability to hold a charge gradually decreases. Small 1.5 watt solar trickle chargers typically put out about 120 mA, which is enough to combat that problem without over-cooking the battery, especially as the daylight / night-time cycle acts as a regulator to ensure that over-charging doesn't occur.
Solar trickle-chargers like the one below can be bought from as little as $20 AUD. This one was bought at a local hardware store. However, most car accessory shops stock similar items in much the same price bracket, such as at: http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Solar-Battery-Charger-Maintenance-1-5-Watt.aspx?pid=292829#Recommendations.
The Isolator Switch
$20.00 AUD will buy you a very effective, well-made brass battery isolator switch like the one shown below (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Battery-Terminals-Isolator-Switch-Universal-1-Pack.aspx?pid=214448#Recommendations). Suitable for either the positive or the negative battery terminal, it breaks the car's electrical circuit and ensures that things like the radio pre-sets and clock can't draw current and slowly flatten your battery. One word of warning, though: with the switch set to off, central locking and, more importantly, car alarms will be disabled!
$20.00 AUD will buy you a very effective, well-made brass battery isolator switch like the one shown below (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Battery-Terminals-Isolator-Switch-Universal-1-Pack.aspx?pid=214448#Recommendations). Suitable for either the positive or the negative battery terminal, it breaks the car's electrical circuit and ensures that things like the radio pre-sets and clock can't draw current and slowly flatten your battery. One word of warning, though: with the switch set to off, central locking and, more importantly, car alarms will be disabled!
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| The X1/9's earth lead connects to the male side of the isolator switch. |
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| The female side of the isolator switch attaches to the negative terminal of the battery. |
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| Another view of the female side of the isolator switch attached to the battery's negative terminal. |
The Solar Trickle-charger
As car batteries age, their ability to hold a charge gradually decreases. Small 1.5 watt solar trickle chargers typically put out about 120 mA, which is enough to combat that problem without over-cooking the battery, especially as the daylight / night-time cycle acts as a regulator to ensure that over-charging doesn't occur.
Solar trickle-chargers like the one below can be bought from as little as $20 AUD. This one was bought at a local hardware store. However, most car accessory shops stock similar items in much the same price bracket, such as at: http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Solar-Battery-Charger-Maintenance-1-5-Watt.aspx?pid=292829#Recommendations.
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| A solar battery charger with a cigarette socket fitting and an adapter with two bulldog-clips. |
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| In situ - the black bulldog clip on the negative (-) battery terminal and the red on the positive (+). The solar charger sits outside the car where it soaks up the sun. |
Inox Batrolyte
Inox make some big claims regarding Batrolyte MX2, including that by killing sulphation (residue that cakes batteries' lead plates and makes them less efficient), Batrolyted batteries hold their charge longer, are up to 18% more efficient, provide 'better and faster' cold starting, and last two to three times longer. They're so confident that they offer up to 12 months' additional warranty on brand new batteries treated with a 92 ml application of their product. Of course, conditions apply and UMPH hasn't had to test their promise, but at less than $10.00 per dose it seems like reasonable insurance. For further details, please go to: http://www.inoxmx.com/inox/mx2-battery-conditioner/.
U M P H
(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)
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