vintage airstream battery

wildcat455 · 07-01-2003, 11:26 PM

ok, getting close to getting on the road here in my 61 Overlander. Now to replace the original style battery. I don't plan on using an inverter/converter. just go with the original dual 110 / 12 volt wiring system. The trailer has a front mounted battery box, accomodating a long thin 12 volt battery. My question, I've located an interstate battery that will fit, it's a convention tractor/commercial type. Wondering would it be better to search for an rv deep cycle type? Or should I stick with an auto type battery since the only recharge it will probably get is from my tow vehicle or the occasional battery charger at home. I don't plan on using the battery that much, certainly not to run any major appliances at length, and at home I have a 110 hookup. Comments? Thanks Mike

**john hd** · 07-01-2003, 11:41 PM

mike

if you found one that fits go with that.

interstate has a good warranty.

not having to redo the battery box is a plus!

john

59toaster · 07-02-2003, 07:26 AM

I doubt your going to find a Deep cycle in that size. That trail really predates Deep cycle.
I'm impressed that you found any battery in that size. I was guessing that they held two 6v batteries wired in Series.

Our 59 had a larger box made for it. It's in bad shape. I'm moving the battery to the top of the A-Frame.

wildcat455 · 07-02-2003, 11:25 AM

I guess I'll go with the interstate battery. Being a novice, I was just curious if there was any downside to using a conventional car/truck/tractor battery over the rv/deepcycle. I'm guessing that the inverter/converter use is designed for the deepcycle batterys.
Mike

Jabba · 07-02-2003, 12:50 PM

Hi Mike,

That Interstate battery is what I had to use in our '55. They don't make a deep cycle in that configuration due to the cell layout (must have 2 rows?). Ours is working well so far. Only thing that runs off it consistently is the water pump. Top it off with a charge before and after each trip and you should be good to go.