I have found this (i.e., high sensitivity to low battery voltage) to be an
issue with every cycle and aftermarket automotive electronic ignition system
I’ve worked with. The symptoms often vary and can include not just
difficulty starting but rough engine running and flaky electrical
ancillaries.
In my experience, using a Battery Tender greatly minimizes the problem, both
for the obvious reason that your battery is always charged, but also because
the Battery Tender will tell you (via one of the three signal lights) when
the battery is no longer capable of holding a full charge. A side benefit
is that my batteries seem to last longer when kept on a tender (although I
haven’t done any systematic testing to validate this). I keep all my
vehicles except my daily driver VW on a Tender all the time - the units come
with fused pigtails that can be permanently wired to the battery posts and
routed with zip ties to a convenient hookup location that doesn’t require
lifting the bonnet or hood (or seat, in the case of bikes) to make or
disconnect the line.
Since I have so many toys in the garage, I use two of these, hung from the
garage ceiling:
You can also get extra long (25’) extensions if you have a big garage.
Dave=========================================
Dave Lowenstein
Washington, DC @David_Lowenstein1
67 Jaguar E-Type OTS S1
71 Ford F-100 Styleside
79 Triumph T140E Bonneville
00 Aprilia Scarabeo 50 scooter
04 Yamaha TT-R250 offroad
06 Ducati Monster S2R1000
Keeping parts guys in business nationwide
Petrarch (on the list) told me that Pertronix had told him that the
unit requires at least 9 volts to operate. So I checked the
voltage at the coil while starting – and it was 10 volts without
the starter, 7 volts with. Going further, I found the battery was
putting out only 11.5 volts.
In reply to a message from David Lowenstein sent Sun 27 May 2007:
Battery Tender … at the risk of sounding like a salesman on an
infomercial:
I fully agree with the value of battery tenders on vehicles that
sit too much and/or are stored over the winter. Even better is to
combine a battery tender with an Optima battery. Now if Optima
would make a version I could use in my XK120 without having to cut
the boxes.
PS I’m going to copy your ceiling mount idea. I’ve currently got
all mine run with the low voltage wires under the snap together
floor tiles in my workshop. Thanks Dave–
The original message included these comments:
In my experience, using a Battery Tender greatly minimizes the problem, both
–
DaveXK
Bloomfield Hills, Mi, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from David Lowenstein sent Sun 27 May 2007:
Lead acid batteries last longer if they are always fully
charged. In fact, if you never use one, and just keep it on
a very small charge, it might last forever.–
The original message included these comments:
the battery is no longer capable of holding a full charge. A side benefit
is that my batteries seem to last longer when kept on a tender (although I
–
1969 4.2 Series 2 E Type
Brentwood Bay, B.C., Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from DaveXK sent Sun 27 May 2007:
Dave,
What do you consider the advantages of Optima batteries?
We have had reports on the list of problems with them, perhaps
because of the erratic primitive electrical systems on our cars.
Check the archives for details.
Jerry–
Jerry Mouton '64 FHC
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
A few years ago my 67 ots suddenly developed an appetite for Interstate
batteries. I went through 3 of them, each lasting a year or less. I bought
an Optima in July 2003 and that solved the problem, I have no idea why.
Jim Michael----- Original Message -----
From: “mouton” jerry@moutons.org
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2007 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Pertronix Anomaly (& Battery Tender Again)
In reply to a message from DaveXK sent Sun 27 May 2007:
Dave,
What do you consider the advantages of Optima batteries?
We have had reports on the list of problems with them, perhaps
because of the erratic primitive electrical systems on our cars.
Check the archives for details.
JM2CW on Optima/glass mat batteries:
Optima’s ‘are’ ugly as H___
Optima’s ‘are’ expensive
Optima’s ‘are’ very sensitive to overcharging (minimal electrolyte)
Optima’s ‘are’ maintenance free
Optima’s don’t leak acid onto important parts of my cars
Optima’s discharge at a much slower rate than regular lead acid
batteries
I have had an Optima in the '73 for about five years at this point
and an Exide Glass Mat in the '68 for about 18 mo. and have been
satisfied with their performance, The Exide isn’t nearly as ‘garish’
in it’s appearance since it is all black.
Cheers,
LynnOn May 27, 2007, at 2:14 PM, Jim Michael wrote:
A few years ago my 67 ots suddenly developed an appetite for
Interstate batteries. I went through 3 of them, each lasting a year
or less. I bought an Optima in July 2003 and that solved the
problem, I have no idea why.
Jim Michael
----- Original Message ----- From: “mouton” jerry@moutons.org
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2007 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Pertronix Anomaly (& Battery Tender Again)
In reply to a message from DaveXK sent Sun 27 May 2007:
Dave,
What do you consider the advantages of Optima batteries?
We have had reports on the list of problems with them, perhaps
because of the erratic primitive electrical systems on our cars.
Check the archives for details.
In reply to a message from David Lowenstein sent Sun 27 May 2007:
Dave; like you I have a few all important terrestrial vehicles in
the garage like the E-type, recreational truck, daily driver,
sportbikes and snowmobile. My wife refers to their housing
as ‘Dave’s Toy Box’. Go figure. Cheers.–
The original message included these comments:
Since I have so many toys in the garage, I use two of these, hung from the
–
1964 S1 Golden Sand FHC (888765) ‘On the Road Again’
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from Lynn Gardner sent Sun 27 May 2007:
I agree with your points Jim and would add good sustained cranking
power to the list. I’ve had an Optima in the E-type for the last 3
years and haven’t experienced any problems to date. Like others I
make good use of a battery tender on all the vehicle batteries
during extended down time. Definitely makes a difference in life
expectancy.
Last year I put an ‘Odyssey’ battery in my bike and am very pleased
with its performance. While the Odyssey has the same features as
an Optima, overall it is supposedly even a higher quality battery.
Haven’t checked available dimensions of this battery for the E-type
but I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a fit somewhere in the product
line. Regards, Dave–
The original message included these comments:
Optima’s ‘are’ ugly as H___
Optima’s ‘are’ expensive
Optima’s ‘are’ very sensitive to overcharging (minimal electrolyte)
Optima’s ‘are’ maintenance free
Optima’s don’t leak acid onto important parts of my cars
Optima’s discharge at a much slower rate than regular lead acid
–
1964 S1 Golden Sand FHC (888765) ‘On the Road Again’
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–