The old battery question with a twist on testing

For the first time - ever - my 72 refused to crank... Found both Sonnenschein averaging 11.8 but even after a charge the voltage appears to be dropping too fast. (12.8-> 12.5 in a couple hours) while connected together. Separately one is 12.7 the other is 11.9 quickly...

I took them both out of the car to test them properly (and clean all the cables) and I see they are engraved with a date 11y old. Yikes. I recall being annoyed when I got them from Ft Lauderdale battery because they were already at least 3-4y old from memory but I guess 7y of service is fair !

I cannot get a proper CCA rating on the Sonnenchein A512 40A - anyone knows what it should be ?
They both tested as BAD on my solar tester despite OK voltage post charge (12.5 and 12.7 respectively) because I wasn't sure of what CCA to test against - one returned 206 CCA as AGMS (seems low) but 260 as Gel... So i guess I'm not even sure how to test those.. the, the bad one 6!!! Coincidentally I see sulfation coming from one of the plastic fill caps on that one.. So I guess I'm debating replacing one or both. One has for sure gone bad.

So quick Qs, 1)can anyone tell me if I'm testing those right ? AGMS setting (they are AGM as far as I know), I lower CCA to min (300) but it returns differnt 3 for GEL or AGMS. I thought they were AGM batteries, which is gel, the nomenclature may go over my head.
2) who has a the best deal or at least a decent deal on sonnenscheins, or in this day and age should I switch to something newer and better ? I like the stock setup but IMO the + terminal is too damn close to the top of the battery box for comfort and I see miata style batteries with side posts that appear a tad safer... Otherwise I hear Porsche has them now for $230 each, may do that..
thx !

All the Sonnenchein's I've bought recently from Ft Lauderdale battery have had current born on dates. I'm staying with those. I've had good luck with them and they fit great.

You need to replace as a pair to keep the bad battery from drawing down the good one. If you use the correct O.E. rubber caps over the positive posts a short to ground can't happen. As to which battery that is your call, lead acid means a front pan will be in your future, and putting in off size batteries means cable and bracket modifications.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by edmayo

You need to replace as a pair to keep the bad battery from drawing down the good one. If you use the correct O.E. rubber caps over the positive posts a short to ground can't happen. As to which battery that is your call, lead acid means a front pan will be in your future, and putting in off size batteries means cable and bracket modifications.

---

So Ed, what batteries are you using now?

Sonnenschein, I've been using them since the late eighties when I first discovered them, and I've got three dual battery cars.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by edmayo

Sonnenschein, I've been using them since the late eighties when I first discovered them, and I've got three dual battery cars.

---

Thank you Ed!

Yup thanks Ed ! I have no bones to pick with Sonnencheins, I got good years out of them, but I was annoyed I got them "several years old- new" from the vendor. A friend has a whosale account at Porsche, will check their classic batteries locally as they supposedly have them now. If the price is close and a good fitment I'll get those here and now vs waiting.

Still would have liked a CCA rating on the ol' sonnenscheins - guessing 300 ??? just for my education! But replacing both makes total sense.

As Ed says, Lead acid means the suspension pan might be damaged in case of a leak. After I had mine replaced I went through several variations of AGM setups but after Ed's Sonnenchein suggestion I installed some a couple of years back and they work great and look proper.

Perfect timing!

I am ready to retire my Rube Goldberg battery setup and get OEM style batteries.

Please post best vendor and I'll buy as well.

Thanks!

2415 SW 3rd Avenue,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Phone: 954-525-5557
Fax: 954-522-3748
Email: susie@lauderdalebattery.com
Web: lauderdalebattery.com

Latest from my research..

Porsche now sells perfect fit twin battery replacements for F model cars - 999 611 014 92 around $230 a pop at your dealer (order) - a lot less if you have a business account.

Sonnenscheins are GEL and 225 a pop + $75 shipping to west coast. Problem is, zero info out there on the porsche ones, are they lead acid or GEL ? I suspect Lead acid based on older part #s (.91) being so. Zero infoon the web, Porsche setup this classic parts dept but they kinda suck at this basic info, it's like a secret product ;-) Pelican can get them too but will not ship them, so again a case for lead acid.

Since the sonnenscheins are a known quantity and I cannot find a 100% clear answer on the Porsche ones, despite the Porsche being cheaper (no shipping and substantially less on a pro account), I'm gonna continue with what I know (sonnenstrumpf ;-) Gonna sting a little.

The Porsche batteries are Moll lead-acid, shipped dry. I use them in my '69 with no problem. They can be purchased for FAR less than the list price you cite.

999 611 014 91 are moll for sure and cheaper
999 611 014 92 I don’t know - was told made by interstate.
It’s incredibly hard to get any info on them - kudos to porsche for making a classic part section and telling you nothing :-)
Either way the deed is done now with gel sonnenscheins.

When lead acid batteries are shipped dry you have to supply the electrolyte with which to fill them. Lead acid batteries still have to vent, altho the caps aren't vented anymore there is still a vent tube on the side of the battery. You can run a plastic tube from that vent thru one of the over rider bolt plugged holes in the front bulkhead. The gel types are not vented, hence no fumes to rot out your front pan.

I'll answer my own question about the Sonnenschein batteries CCA : brand new they came to me at 12.7V and 289 CCA, so I'm guessing 300CCA tops - not very much - good that there are 2 of them and low compression engine I guess ? My other cars batteries are like 800-900 !
Good to know for testing them in the future as the battery tester wants to know original CCA and type (gel). The new ones test about the same as ONE of my old ones - the other is definitely toast for sure, maybe I could have bought just one, but safe>sorry, so I will keep one of them as a backup. Super clean battery box, took advantage and replaced both positive clamps, cleaned cables from surface junk and used dielectric grease.
Car starts like a champ again. Thanks for the confirmation on Sonnenscheins ! ($550 delivered to west coast)

Always lead acids in my '69 since new. No battery box compromises visible. Just lucky?

Judging by the front pans I've replaced over the years,,,I'd say yes!

The Sonnenschein batteries are Gel and shouldn’t be confused with AGM. My CTEK charger manual states that the setting for Gel batteries should the same as Wet batteries and should not be used with the AGM setting.

Hello Ed,

What is the Sonnenscheins batteries type number?

Susie at Lauderdale knows exactly what you need, see info on page one