Duracell 6 volt warning

[cityslicker88]

I am restoring a 1940 Ford 9N with a 6 volt "positive ground" system. I just noticed a sticker on the new Duracell 6 volt battery I just purchased. It states: "Not recommended for inverted use" What exactly does that mean?

 

[matthies]

I am betting that are saying if you lay on the side the acid will run out. So a person remembers its not a gel cell. If you would use it in a dune buggy/off road it will cause problems.

 

[John T]

IFFFFFFFFFFFF the warning means its not recommended for powering a DC to AC INVERTER ???????????????

My best guess not having any battery spec sheets or details whatsoever would be an auto STARTING BATTERY (IF that's what it is ??) isn't what's often used to power up Inverter loads, but instead its often a DEEP CYCLE battery used for such purposes.

For marine use like running perhaps a boat trolling motor long periods or in my RV (which has a 2 KW Pure Sine Wave Inverter)a Deep Cycle is preferred versus an auto starting battery.

IFFFFFFFFFFFFFF thats NOT what the warning is for, I would have to look at specs and details to provide a better answer

All the Inverters I use are for 12 volts so I have no experience with a 6 volt DC to 120 VAC unit

So if "Inverted Use" means used to power an Inverter the above is my best shot absent battery specs or details but if NOT ignore the above until I get more info

John T

 

[Tramway Guy]

Don't turn it upside down; is my bet.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Is it perhaps an AGM (absorbent gas mat) battery? AGM batteries are usually spill-resistant, but there's a limit to everything. Just make sure the electrodes are on top and you should be OK.

 

[TimV]

It means it's not recommended to be used upside down. Doubtful if that's an issue with your 9N--if your battery is upside down you've got other, more serious problems, LOL! However, in many applications today batteries are not necessarily mounted right-side-up--a friend has a Can-Am Spyder 3-wheeled "motorcycle" and the battery is mounted on its side, which means you have to get a battery meant to be mounted in that position. Other vehicles such as personal watercraft ("jet-skis"), go-karts, various off-road ATV's and similar uses are also prone to being turned into orientations that might cause acid to leak out and require a battery that can withstand such usage.

 

[jeffcat]

Yes do not lay it on it's side. I love the Optima batteries from Interstate battery. Have excellent results. Spira Glass mat type. There are other makes out there but the interstate ones do the trick.

 

[notjustair]

This one horse farm town doesn't have a six volt battery in it that's maintenance free. If you tried to tip it just a bit your three caps on top would let you know that was a mistake pretty quick. The rust stain would be the lasting reminder.


I've only got one six volt vehicle on the farm. Those six volt caps had a bad habit of flying off and causing bruises when there's an internal short, but that another entertaining story.

 

[David G]

Does it say invertor or inverted?

 

[wilson ind]

Wher's my friend George when we need him??

 

[Steve@Advance]

I just bought a battery for a Honda ATV. It came through the mail, already had the acid in it, charged.

It wasn't in any kind of special packing, just a cardboard box, wrapped in bubble wrap. It wasn't leaking, but the strip across the top, where the caps would have been showed signs of electrolyte seeping through. There was no vent fitting.

I don't know if this battery could be operated on it's side, it didn't say not to, but I suspect if it were the electrolyte would eventually find it's way out.

I installed a battery back up garage door opener the other day. It came with a small sealed lead acid battery. It mounted on it's side. Don't know how they get away with that!

 

[Tim in OR]

My nephew told me one time how he would use a gel cell battery to jump-start other vehicles. He would just turn it upside down and contact the terminals. He said "only a little spark". I told him how dangerous that was. I hope he has outgrown that bad habit.
Tim in OR

 

[cityslicker88]

It does say Inverted.

 

[cityslicker88]

I had some time today to contact Batteries Plus and they did confirm positive ground was ok and that the warning means to keep flat because of the vent holes in which acid will leak out if tipped. Thanks guys for all your input.