What is our battery of choice these days?

[ambitio]

My garage "land lord" won't let me to use a trickle charger. I tried explaining to her that even if the device were to run at full power 24x7, smart ones these days never do, it will cost a whole of $ 0.61 in monthly electric charges, a sum I will happily refund, to no avail. During the winter I went to start the car a few times. The attendants told me they are doing it; they weren't (trusting them was my mistake).

Long story short my battery was completely dead when I tried starting the car today. I jump started the car twice. Both times the engine died the moment I closed the door even after a few minutes of idling. The traction control light came on while it was idling (I hadn't seen it on before). A depleted two years old battery is an unlikely resurrection candidate. I am curious to learn about the brand of battery everyone is using these days or had good experience with.

Thank you !

[2K2BIRD]

Always have used Motorcraft. I've changed them out between 6 to 8 years, depending on whether I was going to be far from the house on trips or not. Only one of them died before being changed. It was 7+ years old.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Like Paul I'm a Motorcraft fan. Being in the trunk helps, but Florida is not like Minnesota..

[02-T-Bird]

I think I’m on my 3rd or 4th battery all from Ford. I never remove the battery in the winter and have never put a trickle charger on it. On the first of every month I get a coffee, uncover the car, start it and let it get up to temperature. I then take it for a few loops around the underground parking garage and park it again. I run the A/C unit and the heater as well. I then cover it back up and repeat the next month. I’m in Northern Ontario so we get some pretty cold temperatures here. It might not be the right way of doing things but it has worked for me.

[FUN X 3]

On my 4th battery in 22 years. Motorcraft. Make sure you get a vented one. There is a rubber tube you attach to the car to vent the battery.

[BillyL]

I agree with all above. I stayed with Motorcraft OEM vented battery. I do not know of any aftermarket vented batteries that would match the motorcraft. I think I paid about $175.00 for the last one.

[merlot4]

I agree with the others, I have always used Motorcraft batteries, and oil filters.

[Brad]

With a 2 year old battery try and give it a nice slow charge. When you're not driving it disconnect the battery. I always keep my cables tight enough for a good connection but loose enough to twist off.

Ditto on the Motorcraft if you need a new one.

[clenet]

I am with the Motorcraft battery also. You might be able to save your battery by charging it up with a good battery charger for a few days. Then have it checked. Most 2002 to 2005 Thunderbirds I have been involved with really need a battery tender. It is rare that the battery doesn't go dead after a month or so of non use. If you can't use a tender buy one of those cut off switches and just turn it on when you use the car. I know you will have to reset the window's every time but at least the car will start and the battery life will be longer.

[jim heath]

I’ve always used Motorcraft, that is until the last one, I got a Legend from Napa. It’s a vented and setup for the Thunderbird. I’ve had it just over four years now and never had any issues. When the temperature drops below the forties I will use my battery tender. I’ve noticed recently that all of the vented brands of batteries recommend for the bird are close to the same price, unless you can find one on sale.

[BillyL]

Good to know Napa has a replacement vented battery for our birds. The motorcraft battery is getting harder to find from the local ford dealers, especially if you want a "new" one that has not been sitting on the shelf for three years.

[Elky64]

Here's something I wrote on this subject in '20:
Don't forget Lincoln LS's use the same group 66 Battery. Part of it's spec is for a vent in a particular place. Battery builders adhere to standards and Batteries are built to these standard sizes, Called Groups. When I was a kid, the most popular were group 24 , 27 and 22 for a smaller car. To this day if you look at boat or Marine batteries you'll see #'s like 24M or 27M (that's the big boy). Anyway Group 65 is very close in size and much more popular therefor much more stocked. But depending on the mfg. may or may not have a specific vent tube outlet where a Third or LS needs it. Once the size is sorted the mfg. can create and market the battery with higher or lower specs as to cranking amps, etc.
A lot of times, batteries are sold in a hurry, whether due to impatience, or incompetence, or just trying to get someone going when the right part isn't available. So I have seen incorrect batteries installed, ' to get the guy going'. Oftimes the customer as well as the seller doesn't see a problem.
Just sayin'
Oh just remembered, In aftermarket retailing(ie, parts stores etc) batteries should be rotated by the traveling Battery Rep so that none are more than 3-4 months old. If you ask, and can wait a day, most old line parts stoores will charge your new battery overnight before you take it.[/QUOTE]

There is quite a lot of info if you search the tech section of the forum....
when there is a new owner, the battery question comes up, Often. Bottom line is if its a group 66 it will have a vent.

[ambitio]

Thank you everyone for your responses.

I got the battery out of the car. Turns out they installed a Deca 665MF presumably maintenance free battery last time (https://www.nationwide-battery.com/pdf/665MF.pdf). There was no vent on the battery (nor could I tell where one would connect on the car).

The battery has been charging in the corner of the living room for the last 24 hours. At this pace I expect another few days before I can test the battery.

I almost bought a portable 110V powerbank to use in lieu of power in the garage to plug the trickle charger. After reading the specs, looks like the power bank won't last more than a day or two so not a solution!

[merlot4]

Reza, questions regarding whether a sealed battery could be used have been asked in the past, although I don't recall a clear consensus. My guess, and it's something someone can/should correct if necessary, is that as long as the battery is completely, permanently factory sealed, it will probably be OK. If you get a non-sealed one, you NEED the vent tube.

As a pointer to others: note the battery location is very close to the spare; if the spare blows up -and they can, it's probably going to make a mess out of the battery/trunk. Check the date of your spare, replace it if necessary.

number 7 in the diagram is the vent tube. it attaches to the rear part of the trunk through the plastic fascia covering the back locking area.
https://www.carid.com/2002-ford-thun...460761734.html

It is part number 1 in the below image. I hope this helps!

[ambitio]

Thanks Richard

The diagram was very useful. I will keep it handy for the next battery This battery is the permanently factory sealed type.