I bought my 68 'vert 2 years back. I replaced the altenator immediately (at the advice of my trusted mechanic) and the battery shortly thereafter. That "new" battery died in May of this year, and luckily was under warranty so replaced (energizer). That second replacement lasted me all summer, but last week acted up again. Cranking was slower, and I'll bet it will die completely this weekend.

The situation does not seem like a standard battery drain, but replacing the battery every year just does not seem normal.

Would a larger amp altenator help? Coule it be another component of the system?
Any ideas as to how to begin determining the cause?

As a note: The car is only driven on weekends, generally during the day, so headlights are not usually on, and has a replacement 1980's radio. No major accessories are on the car, making me think there is simply something not right.

Thank you for any comments.

Tom
Proud owner:
1968 Mustang 'Vert
2001 Cobra 'Vert

 

do u still have the mechanical voltage regulator if so step up to a electronic one and go to the parts store and get the battery and alt tested

 

Go to autozone and buy a good battery insead of the junky energizer

 

The voltage regulator is probably the culprit. It is located next to your radiator on the drivers side of the car. It regulates when to send voltage back to the battery to help keep it charged. As long as your alternator is putting out the proper voltage and amperage this is probably your problem.

 

A good battery like an Interstate battery with sufficient cold cranking amps will last you for many years if the alternator and VR are working properly. The important thing to remember when getting a new battery is that the higher the cold cranking amps is rated, the stronger the battery. I only use Interstate batteries on all three of my Ford cars.
Here is some reading for you.
http://www.autobatteries.com/faq/index.asp

 

I second the vote for Interstate Batteries; and also that the voltage regulator is most likely your culprit.

 

Depending how much you drive the car I would say if its sitting for longer periods of time I would invest in a battery tender it will monitor & keep the battery at full charge so it doesn't get ruined sitting with a 1/2-3/4 charge in it. I leave one on anything that sits for more then a few weeks motorcycle etc. I could be wrong but I think portions of a battery go "bad" when they aren't charged for awhile...maybe your battery is never being fully charged back up?

 

OK, by now I'm sure he's got the message. Let's get on to something really cool.

<total thread rip>

Holy smokes Dan!, your art is awesome. I just clicked onto your site (from your signature). Not sure if the Shelby or the Yenko is my favorite. One of them is going up in my office when I get back home.
You are a very talented person. I'm not sure if I should hate you or not, but I sure as heck admire your abilities!
BTW: just went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That place has more Gibsons and Fenders then the factories themselves.

 

You are exactly right regarding the trickle charger. Here is what I kept on mine during the several months between driving it. They are not cheap though.

[IMG]local://upfiles/10034/922753027D3B4E9DBF846F7285EF79FC.jpg[/IMG]

 

Mine is this exact one in the link below .....it's worth every penny IMO I love that little sucker!


http://batterytender.com/product_inf...44add39fb3064a