1967-1969 Delco Energizer R-59 Maintenance-Free Battery

[68 DANA]

There are a couple of manufacturers (Antique Auto Battery and Restoration Battery) that are currently producing the original style Delco R-59 date coded battery. The batteries are Maintenance Free with "AGM" (absorbent glass mat) technology. The companies clam that the batteries feature the authentic look of the original assembly line battery and are available date coded for the detailed restorer.

Does anyone have any experience with these companies and how close do the batteries resemble the original factory style battery that was offered back in the day?

[Mr70]

I bought three R-59's from both companies an have no complaints today.
They are both going strong after 10 years.I use a trickle charger on all year round.
They resemble the originals very well.
I talked to Tom @ RB & instead date coded mine myself with a heat stamp.

[CamarosRus]

Mr70, Your advice on correct restoration battery for 01C 70 Camaro (L-78)
and 07E 70 Camaro (Z-28) (No Post/Side Connect)

Can you show dated heat stamp and how does one arrange for that ??

Thank You

[Billohio]

Trickle charger is a key.
I have a battery that was about 4 years old and it would start the car twice and nothing after charging. Got it in the trailer one day, got to the show and dead.

[ALLZS]

Anyone reproduceing the correct y77 side post battery with yellow lettering ?

[jl8z28]

No

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

The repop batteries i had lasted me only 5yrs. Most people i have talked too had them last less. That's a lot of money to spend for something that lasts 5 yrs. So, now i get a modern battery with the topper. They are already going on 6 &7 years old, and i do use a battery tender.

[wheelhop]

My first R-59 reproduction battery lasted 8 years, just bought another one this past summer.
One of the things you need to keep in mind is the type of charger you are using on them.
they come with specific instructions.

[68 DANA]

It sounds like you and Mr.70 have had some success with the batteries, however others have not. I did check the charging instructions from the manufacturer and for optimum life the voltage should be maintained around 12.8 volts. Should the battery require charging, charge the battery using a charger with a 10amp-12amp range for 2 hours. They are very specific that the charger's output voltage must not exceed 15V.

Perhaps not maintaining the battery accounts for the premature battery life

[mockingbird812]

I have a repro R-59 (can't remember vendor) that I use a "Battery Tender" trickle charger specifically designed for the gel technology that the battery uses. Off of the top of my head, I have had the battery for at least 6 yrs.

[68 DANA]

It sounds like the Maintenance Free "AGM" (absorbent glass mat) technology has proven itself. Just need to be careful in the maintenance of the battery.

[Kurt S]

I did alternators and batteries for an OEM for many years.
Top two killers of batteries are high temps (why some batteries have insulation around them) and deep cycling.
If a high frequency pulse is applied, it will remove sulfate build up which is covering the plates. PulseTech manufactures this technology (there may be others). I've used it to recover batteries that couldn't even crank a car - and then used the batteries for several years.
A quick look at their current product line found: http://www.pulsetech.net/XC100P-Xtreme-Charge-12V-Battery-Maintenance-Charger-Desulfator-7346.aspx

Many trickle chargers overcharge the battery, fwiw.

[CC Rider]

I have not had good luck with AGM batteries here in AZ. Gone through two in seven years here. When I sold my Chevelle, it had a brand new O'Reilly's battery with a battery topper on it.

Even bought two specialized chargers / maintainers.

[flyingn]

The second one in my Judge. The first one lasted about 10 years. They work good.

[jl8z28]

The batteries that they are selling now do not have acid in them like the ones they were selling in the past They say to let them charge down and use a battery charger to recharge

[SeattleCarGuy]

I have repop batteries from Restoration Battery in all my cars. The one in my 1962 Bel Air has been in there for 12 years and still works fine. Unbelievable.