How to charge up my NOS Y-55

[68 Ragtop]

HBC is selling that battery for $1500 and it comes with instructions. It would be nice to know what the OEM recommends. Maybe HBC can tell you?

[dannystarr]

Maybe, but they are not real forthcoming when it comes to helping us out. At least that's my experience. Maybe someone here is a friend of the owner Jim, and can get him to scan a copy over and it can then be posted?

I thought more on the plastic plugs and I am sure they are barely attached, and I can take a small sharp chisel and knock down one side, then grab with pliers and tear/pull it up. I will give it a shot later tonight. They have to come out, cause the caps will not enter the space, and only go half way as it is right now. I am sure GM didn't want a bunch of crap/dirt/water/debris making it's way into the cells.... D

[68 Ragtop]

Perhaps you can ask over on yenko dot net. Those guys are big on original stuff like this. Then again they may freak out you are actually planning on pouring acid in a rare NOS battery to use it instead of displaying it next to your car!

[1968 Z28]

Danny....got a Chassis Service Manual?  If so section 6-Y has the information you need. If not....you can download a 1967 one here.....https://dl.dropbox.com/u/55969979/1967%20CHEVROLET%20CHEVELLE%20CAMARO%20CHEVY%20II%20CORVETTE%20CHASSIS%20SERVICE%20MANUAL.pdf

Here is a short discussion about activating the battery.....http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,327262,327293  BTW...this company is where I bought my NOS Y-55 battery.

The one I have is identical to the one Heartbeat City is selling and it has  the same items that HBC is showing.....But there wasn't any instructions about installing the battery, only warranty instructions.

[68 Ragtop]

I couldn't open the manual in your link, but I checked my 68 manual. You are correct, it has very detailed instructions.

Basically, push the Delco eye into each cell to break seal and let it fall into the battery...

[dannystarr]

It's charging right now!! It's at 11.61 ... Where do I stop!!..I am guessing 13.5  Forgot to ask... Help!! Danny

[My68SS]

As per my first post. min 13.5v - max 14v

[1968 Z28]

When the battery is fully charged the output current on the charger will drop to nearly nothing....IE, the battery plates won't draw anymore current.

[JohnZ]

It's charging right now!! It's at 11.61 ... Where do I stop!!..I am guessing 13.5  Forgot to ask... Help!! Danny

A fully-charged battery will show 12.6 volts. During operation in the vehicle, the voltage regulator limits applied voltage from the alternator within the range of 13.5-14.2 volts.

[dannystarr]

So I unplugged it last night at 11.88. So tonight I will plug it back in and take it to 12.5 to 13 and call it good. Thanx.. John or anybody, I poured the acid in but forgot to let it sit before hooking to charger. It only sat about 5 minutes, is that going to be ok?... I am charging with ONE amp... D

[KurtS]

1 amp? That will take a while.

Look at http://www.pulsetech.net/. This actually works - I had several batteries that were 5+ years old and dead and I revived them for several more years.

[dannystarr]

Thanx Kurt, I do remember you posting that cool charger. Gotta wait to get some more cash  
 Yes I am bringing it up nice and slow with a 1 amp charger. I got time, may switch to my 2 amp. I don't wanna hammer it with 10.

                 BUT... by not waiting 30 minutes after adding acid, to hook up the charger, did I mess anything up??... D

[dannystarr]

So right when I was going to charge up the NOS Y-55, I scored another one, that is also NOS but worse in condition. Actually fits my car better and looks right. I dug out the wax and popped out the plastic plugs. It is actually the one in previous pictures, I was hiding it. The purists are still ahead. I am STILL holding off on the charging of the cherry battery for now. So it is done and installed. Has just enough wear to look like it belongs. Seems to be functioning properly... Danny

[dannystarr]

Installed.. I may take a rag with a little carb cleaner or brakleen and dull the battery caps some, as they stand out to well. ..D

[My68SS]

mmmm.....I'd leave it as-is, looks like a well looked after survivor already
The yellow on the caps may have survived quite well even on original batteries.

That you didn't leave it sit for 1/2 an hour or so is neither here nor there, just 'exercise' it a couple of times - start the car, let it run for 10 mins, switch it off, turn the headlights on [low beam] and let it power the headlights for 30 mins or so, or until the batt volts drop to around 11.5 volts, then headlights off and re-start engine and let charge for 30 mins or go for a drive. Let sit overnight and repeat the next day - that's it.