Battery died- going to gut it to keep the look

[ToxicWolf]

If they fail, you still have a nice box to rebuild. 

[1973JA5]

IIRC I stayed away from those because so many people on other boards complain about their failure rate.

If you keep these,and any other battery on a Battery Tender they last.I had one and got almost 9 years out of it,it's a good battery.

[ToxicWolf]

If you keep these,and any other battery on a Battery Tender they last.I had one and got almost 9 years out of it,it's a good battery.

Actually,  when my red-top came in a few weeks ago, it came with a note that said not to use a tender on it because it would damage the battery.  It had an explanation as to why, but i don't remember what it was. 

[roadman5312]

Actually,  when my red-top came in a few weeks ago, it came with a note that said not to use a tender on it because it would damage the battery.  It had an explanation as to why, but i don't remember what it was. 

[ToxicWolf]

Thanks, Mark. 

[tman]

Im going on 5 yrs using a Battery Tender with my AGM.  Funny thing, when I bought this battery, I was told by the seller that the Battery Tender was good to use.  Battery is working strong so far.  Good info on the updated care instructions.  Lot of monitoring with those care instructions though.....  Think I will continue to do what Im doing. 

[tommyg29]

I had a tender on mine and it lasted 3 years. One of those YMMV things I guess. Maybe the technology has changed some in the last 3-4 years? 

[ToxicWolf]

I had a tender on mine and it lasted 3 years. One of those YMMV things I guess. Maybe the technology has changed some in the last 3-4 years? 

We have a tender on the yellow-top now and was planning on using one on the red-top until it came with that label. 

[marc70challenger]

We have a tender on the yellow-top now and was planning on using one on the red-top until it came with that label. 

I just had my red top crap out ... not more 3 years old at most ... I had tender on it all time ... came out today .. dead as dead can be .... and while on charger .. the charger was reading "fully charged"  (Battery Tender) ...

But ...  can't prove it was Tender .. but I would heed the manufacturer advice .. I will on one I'm order now .... 

[tommyg29]

Just read this thread again for the first time in months.
I received this tip during the thread, but the biggest mistake I made in hindsight was not pre drilling the four corners of the bottom before taking my grinder to it and cutting the opening.
And make sure you leave at least a 1/2" lip around the bottom for additional strength. It makes it a little more difficult to remove the guts, but dont just "cut the bottom off". The rubber case is not as strong as you might think. When you cut it open it will need that lip around the bottom to help hold it together.
It will crack easily, so be very careful when applying leverage using the edges.