How to charge up my NOS Y-55

[dannystarr]

 Decided to fire up the AC Delco Energizer Y-55. I picked up my battery acid today, 1.5 gallons and a container of distilled water. I still don't know how to dig out the wax. Or what ratio to put in, all acid, 90% acid and 10% water? 50/50 ? And do I hit it hard with 10amps for 5 or 6 hours, or take it up nice and slow with 1 or 2 amps overnight? Any help would be great. I am sure this has been done by some members. Thanx... Danny

[My68SS]

Battery acid is already pre mixed with distilled water, just add as-is.
1 -2 amp slow charge and best to be with it so you can measure the terminal volts occasionally. Once it hits about 13.5 - 14 volts it should be good to go.

There are optimal charging methods for lead acid, but given the harsh environment a car battery is exposed to - hot/cold engine bay/climate and a charging system that knows nothing about the batteries needs - it's hardly worth the effort.
Add to this the 'seldom correct' old school relay regulator and it's an even bigger nightmare for the poor battery!
Keep a hand on case temp as well, it should be an even temp all round and barely warm.

I believe that there are cars on the market now that have a much more refined charging systems that do take better care of the battery, which is no doubt because of the more exotic chemistries that some batteries are made with.

[ko-lek-tor]

Rob has excellent advice! I'll add, make sure you cover the holes back after adding acid. Either put caps on or place an old shop rag folded over a few x's to lay the length covering all holes. I loosley put caps on and put a folded rag on top of caps, myself. This is a safety measure.  I have seen more than once and I have personally caught batteries on fire and/or had them explode while charging. This covering keep the fumes away from a spark source. Plus, do not breathe in fumes and charge in well ventilated area, like outside.

[dannystarr]

Ok, thanx guys.. I will wait to see if anyone else chimes in, but that about covers it. I will do tom. Morning. I am charging it in one of those old lower to the ground all metal wheel barrows outside. I will monitor temp with infrared gun. And attach a little tester to it and lay it next to it so I can just walk up and look. I hope it has no shorts or issues and just comes up nice and finishes. Getting excited to see it in the car. Maybe NOW the aftermarket cables will reach... ha ha... D

[dannystarr]

How do I get the wax out? Any trick to it, or just tip it on it's side and lightly dig it out until it's all clear. Maybe hold a vacuum hose next to it while doing it? Does it matter if any falls inside?... D

[68camaroz28]

How do I get the wax out? Any trick to it, or just tip it on it's side and lightly dig it out until it's all clear. Maybe hold a vacuum hose next to it while doing it? Does it matter if any falls inside?... D

Danny, sent you a PM! Friend who used these rascals back many years ago told me you just push the wax looking stuff down in??? But have not done mine yet so just going by what friend said. He's normally correct!

[My68SS]

How do I get the wax out? Any trick to it, or just tip it on it's side and lightly dig it out until it's all clear. Maybe hold a vacuum hose next to it while doing it? Does it matter if any falls inside?... D

Would like to see this wax. Can you post a pic? A non conductive wax inside the battery wouldn't be a problem. How much of it is there?

[68camaroz28]

How do I get the wax out? Any trick to it, or just tip it on it's side and lightly dig it out until it's all clear. Maybe hold a vacuum hose next to it while doing it? Does it matter if any falls inside?... D

Would like to see this wax. Can you post a pic? A non conductive wax inside the battery wouldn't be a problem. How much of it is there?

Rob, I'm thinking its a very thin coat as it was just to seal the entrance to each cell. But not sure!

[KurtS]

Add to this the 'seldom correct' old school relay regulator and it's an even bigger nightmare for the poor battery!

Actually, the old regulators weren't too bad. They compensated for ambient temperature, which is basically all the current regs do.
Cold is 14.7 volts, hot is 12.5 volts, normal is about 13.5.

[ko-lek-tor]

Add to this the 'seldom correct' old school relay regulator and it's an even bigger nightmare for the poor battery!

Actually, the old regulators weren't too bad. They compensated for ambient temperature, which is basically all the current regs do.
Cold is 14.7 volts, hot is 12.5 volts, normal is about 13.5.

This old technology (1st Gen.)seems antiquated and crude, but is proven to work with simplicity. Most everything is basic and easily diagnosed and repairable.

[My68SS]

Your quite right Kurt and ko-lek-tor, I am being a bit harsh on what was a simple but effective regulation system, as time went by though they could wander a bit.

[dannystarr]

Ok, here is the pictures requested of the wax. Now I have very small holes and pretty hard plastic...Danny

[dannystarr]

Wax Out... D

[dannystarr]

Now very small holes and hard plastic.. knock outs? I can't push these inside, right?. I was going to drill a hole and jam needle nose vice grips in the hole, bite it tight, then chip around the knock out edge until it lets go. What say you all?... D

[My68SS]

"Wax on - wax off Daniel san"  

I must say the pics are an education to me, never seen anything like it!
Sure looks like a knockout, perhaps tap one side down so the other side kicks up, then pull out with pliers/vice grips

I think they're just a plug, not physically attached around the periphery, so could make them rotate, then easy to pull out with no drilling debris.
They surely must come out?? They surely don't expect you to tediously fill it through those little holes - nobody lives that long!!

So maybe there's no need to remove the wax, just pull the whole thing out. I think the wax covered hole simply acts as a 'relief valve'

Edit: Or perhaps screw a self tapper into the hole and pull on that??