Inexpensive Smaller Battery for Stored 1979 911SC

[michaelm101]

I've owned this vehicle since 1985 and it has basically been "non-operational status" in the last 15 years, starting on occasion and rolling around the local area to keep fluids flowing.

I'm in sunny SoCal and do not require lots of CCA.

Although I keep it on a trickle charger, I have gone through several batteries.

I simply need a battery that'll get her fired up and I don't want to handle those monster sized batteries anymore.

Does anyone know an option for an easy, smaller, low cost replacement?

Thanks in advance!

[Sailkane]

Install a battery cutoff switch...then put in an Odyssey battery. The battery cutoff is the only way you will always have a fresh battery.

[911pcars]

Avoid using a trickle charger that doesn’t know when the battery is fully charged. For full-time charging, use a battery maintainer with “smart” circuitry. Many out there.

Sherwood

[michaelm101]

Originally Posted by Sailkane

Install a battery cutoff switch...then put in an Odyssey battery. The battery cutoff is the only way you will always have a fresh battery.

Thx. I've been using a cutoff since way back when, and still I find that that the battery requires recharge... and eventually dies of the stresses or draining and recharging...

[michaelm101]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Avoid using a trickle charger that doesn’t know when the battery is fully charged. For full-time charging, use a battery maintainer with “smart” circuitry. Many out there.

Sherwood

Thx. I've been using a "float" charger from HFT...Is this the same as a maintainer?

[eastbay]

The standard smaller replacement is a glass mat H6, but I have an even smaller H5 in my Targa and it fits great.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by michaelm101

Thx. I've been using a "float" charger from HFT...Is this the same as a maintainer?

Yes. However, lifespan (build quality) is questionable at the $10 price point.

As for a temporary battery, assuming it’s just for storage, periodic running and budget is an issue, purchase a pre-owned good battery. Interstate usually has a large wall of good used trade ins for $20-$30. If it doesn’t have to nestle into the factory compartment, all the more flexible.

Sherwood

[michaelm101]

Since there are other vintage stored vehicles in the same situation as this one--Would it be a good idea to simply acquire and use a lithium jump starter?

[mepstein]

Battery tender jr. $25 at most flaps or online. Works great.

[NYNick]

I found a 300CCA 12 volt garden tractor battery for $55 at Lowes and used it as a temporary for my longhood. Fully charged and maintained, it should start your car.

[froggert]

I use a battery sized for Harleys. Works fine except when it's super cold which shouldn't be an issue in your case.

[Sboxin]

Originally Posted by NYNick

I found a 300CCA 12 volt garden tractor battery for $55 at Lowes and used it as a temporary for my longhood. Fully charged and maintained, it should start your car.

Yep . . . we also use a garden tractor battery from Auto Zone in our 911 race car . .
.cheap and cranks the engine just fine - also carry a spare just in case - and easy to
replace at the parts store in an emergency (which we had one race day) . . . but, the
wire connections are small bolt/nut type - not the usual car battery type . . . we also
run the radio, cool shirt pump, trans cooler pump and fuel pumps off this battery with
the alternator charging of course . . .


Regards,
Roy T