Dear mid-60s caregivers,
It sure seems to me that car-related publications are falling all over each other to find something new to talk about. This morning there is a light-weight piece from Hemming's about a myth that batteries discharge to a concrete floor:
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/how-to/car-care/disproving-the-battery-drain-on-concrete-floor-myth/What is somewhat interesting is exactly how batteries actually discharge over long periods. The author recommends keeping the battery clean and using a trickle charger to avoid this problem.
The battery in my trusty wagon finally gave out after about 10 years and Orinda Classic Car Center recommended that I replace it with a Optima AGM battery. One of my local
"car-guy" friends has been pestering me to make this change for years so it was the excuse I needed. I went ahead and replaced the battery in our 2000 Buick Century as well with an Optima battery.
The same friend recommended that I upgrade my chargers to the Optima 400+
https://www.optimabatteries.com/products/digital-d400-plusThese chargers have extra protection against surges and power outages. Since our electrical utility (PG&E) is now paranoid about starting wildfires and both Buicks are used year around, I needed as robust as solution as could be found.
So far so good!
Edouard