What Brand of Battery Do You Use in Your Ghia?

lemke

Sorry if this has been covered before.

I usually use AC Delco, as they were rated high in Consumer Reports. Kmart used to carry them at a resonable price, and they last for years. I cannot seem to find a local (Seattle) source for AC Delco batteries, and did a lot of searches - and found some pretty poor web sites.

Also, does anyone know the recommened CCA's for a standard type one 1600 engine?

Thanks

lemke'

jason_hamilton · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:09 am Post subject:

I got an Interstate in there now, biggest one I could fit in. If I run out of gas, I can do freeway speed on the starter motor alone.

Incidentally, (I don't mean to hijack the thread) I bought some stuff from Germany, and the company I was dealing with, vw-teile.com, also sell repro batteries. As Ghia owners expose their battery anytime they open their decklid, I'm surprised no one's imported anything similar to North America. Anyone know of anything?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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ACSwede · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:13 am Post subject:

coad · Samba Scapegoat Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552

Those are cool looking batteries Jason. Shipping would be a monster though.

I'm trying to get a nice VWoA case with the logo on the front, and I found an old battery repairman in Iowa that will put all new insides in my case for about $75.

In the meantime I bought a repro battery from Wolfsburg West which was a total failure. Only lasted 6 months.

Now I have an Optima, and those are things of beauty except they're so small they don't stand up in the engine compartment. I had my local sheet metal shop make me a metal box the same size as the original VW battery (except a little higher to clear the optima) and they made a compartment inside the box for the battery. The rest of the compartment can hold a can of oil and a spare fanbelt and stuff for emergencies. Hopefully when I'm done it will look pretty close to original.

1964VW · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 10:43 am Post subject:

I run a TurboStart made by New Castle batt company,works just fine.
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timp · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 11:32 am Post subject:

Mine's an Everstart... we pulled it out of our 1976 Dodge Dart Swinger and threw it in the ghia when we parked it.
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TeamSpatula · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 11:45 am Post subject:

The battery I used in my 65 vert was the one from one of my busses at the time - which is just the biggest/most powerful one that will fit from Advance...
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Superghia · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:10 pm Post subject:

optima yellow top for me
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lemke · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:01 pm Post subject:

Well, Thanks everyone.

I found this web page: http://shopping.yahoo.com/premium/consumerreports/silver.html?id=95700426

This site indicates that most batteries are made by just three companies.

Jason, is the interstate battery maintenance-free? I had an interstate in the 90's and it was one of the best batteries around, but it required water. I just got spoiled by maintenance-free ones.

So, I still would like to know - does anyone know the required Cold cranking amps a battery should have for a 12-volt type one engine?

akeyzoo · Samba Member Joined: August 24, 2004 Posts: 83

I am using the optima 75/35 BTW. Pretty much their smallest battery. Like 33 lbs. It is relatively light, has more than enough oomph, will last longer, WILL NOT LEAK!!!!

$99 at costco

L478_62_Kafer · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2004 6:45 am Post subject:

I run an Optima red top. Turns over like a mofo. There is no other battery that can compare to an Optima.

bajaherbie · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:48 am Post subject:

exide battery here, i believe exide is one of the big three.
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the.fordhams · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 4:28 pm Post subject:

Ahh the joys of being 6V is the choice is very narrow and non existent in certain areas.

Hey L478 that is the coolest color bug to have - imho. I got married on a Beryl green bug. When you want to sell it pm me..

Sorry for hijacking,

Thx,

Al
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akeyzoo · Samba Member Joined: August 24, 2004 Posts: 83

Optima makes a 6V battery BTW.

Chris

Gary · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 6:10 pm Post subject:

reverie · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 11:33 pm Post subject:

Cold cranking amps is not a factor to consider in Seattle, unless you have a high-compression monster motor. Seriously, in the winter, we'll have maybe a couple of days with snow on the ground when you shouldn't be out in the Ghia anyway because of all the stupid drivers smashing into each other. Any maintenance-free battery of your choice will do fine.

Cool

lemke · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:17 am Post subject:

L478_62_Kafer · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 6:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks Fordhams. We really love our Beryl Green beetle. My wife would kill me if I ever sold it. It's still wearing the original paint!

sideshow · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:43 pm Post subject:

Optima red top, under the rear window.
So I kinda needed a non-vented battery for "inside" stowage.

EdW · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:09 am Post subject:


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