Reproduction Delco Energizer

[CC Rider]

Take a look at this photo. Is my battery sulfating?



#3, #5, and #6 caps are wet, there is splatter on top of the battery, luckily no where else. I took #3 off, looks like the electrolyte is bubbling.

About 2 months ago, this was happening as a result of a voltage regulator that was overcharging. Whenever the engine was running for a while, this is what the top of my battery looked like.

I replaced the regulator and the overcharge condition was repaired. Top of the battery remained dry all the time.

NOW without the engine running, this is what the top of my battery looks like.

The battery is approximately 4-5 years old. Is it time for another? Any reviews on the maintenance free batteries?

Thanks.

[njsteve]

Absolutely buy the maintenance-free unit. I have had the Mopar maint-free repro version in my Charger for 5 years now with no problems. (and no venting acid onto the paint either.)

[Mr70]

You can't tell from looking at it if it has sulfated.
What's happening to your battery is the cap air filters are clogged.This doesn't mean the battery has sulfated.It happens on some of them and is completely routine.Pull off all the caps and gently insert a tooth pick or ice pick down into the small cap air hole until it snaps out a small white semi soft plastic pourous disc filter out of each one.
Put all 5 filters in a dish and sprinkle in alot of baking soda & fill up with water.Put something on top of them to hold them down under the baking soda/water solution.They will suds up a bit but thats normal.Let em soak overnight.Pick up each one & run cold water through them on both sides until they let water flow through them.Make sure you neutralized them w/baking soda cause your gonna blow through each one on both ends until air passes through them freely.Preferably outside away from anything.
Set them on a paper towel and let air dry overnight.Wipe the inside of the caps out too with a paper towel.
Push the filters back into the bottom of each cap until you feel/hear a "click" and reinstall them on the battery.
This is common routine maintence to any WET battery per Delco's instructions back in the day.
I would also check each level of your cells while your at it,to be a within 1/4 inch from the top of each cell with a splintered popsicle stick marked off with a pencil showing 1/4"...but no more then a 1/4.
Also,use a battery hydrometer to make sure the cells are all at full power,using Distilled water only if needed.
If any cell is below 1/4 for an extended period of time,there's a very good chance it has begun to sulfate and is dieing.
I've been through 3 WET R-59's,constantly maintaining them for a total of 14 years of life out of all of them altogether,before I bought the new maintence free SR-59 last year.I know some who have gotten 7 years or more of life from a WET battery,others 3 or less but I know I'll never buy a WET battery again.

BTW-That "Danger Poison" battery terminal label is vastly gaining on the "Caution Fan" sticker and upside down Cowl Ind. rubber seal as the number one most seen incorrect item on otherwise correctly restored vehicles.That label was included to meet todays shipping codes when shipping a caustic battery in a box over the counter and was not put on the vehicle at the assembly line originally.

[m22mike]

Thanks for pointing that out I will add that one to my list now, I believe the cowl seal thing is about 33% up side down from what I have seen in the last few years.

Mike

[P.J.]

It would be real nice to post a pic for those who dont know
that their seal is upside down.That way all would know.
PJ

[m22mike]

I'll work on that

Mike

[CC Rider]

This site and the members are great! Thanks!

I think it's time to get my stars.

[John Brown]

More than worth the $$$

[m22mike]

[ QUOTE ]
It would be real nice to post a pic for those who dont know
that their seal is upside down.That way all would know.
PJ

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok P.J.
Here are two up side down.

The first has the Bonus Fan Sticker Nice radiator hose too






And Two correctly installed





Mike

[P.J.]

Thanks Mike for the pics
I did not know that it was even possible to put them on backwards I quess now it can be done
PJ