MEP 003a Battery Options?

[Corvette1974]

Howdy,

Recently my MEP 003a batteries died. They are the original 6TL batteries from the Military. Date code of May 2010, they were dead when I got the generator. However I charged them up and used them for about 2 years at this point.

With them being dead now I need some replacements. I have read about every thread on the forum, but everyone has different answers! I have gathered that a group 24, 31, 34, and 59 will work....out of these or other choices, what are the cheapest and best fitting batteries available? Currently I'm using my Corvette battery and a tractor battery for an emergency.

I called my local big interstate dealer, not my local garage who I buy from. I doubt they would deal in blemish batteries but I'll call anyway. Regardless the big interstate dealer I will not be supporting. The batteries require an exact core which I don't have, and the lady who helped me was a real B**** . She was talking an attitude with me because she didn't feel like checking on the list of batteries I requested.

Let me know what you guys think.

Will

 

[TucsonVTXF]

I went with 2 that fit the best in the trays. of course also the biggest cold cranking amps for the size..

 

[Corvette1974]

I went with 2 that fit the best in the trays. of course also the biggest cold cranking amps for the size..

Hmm I guess I could just bring the hold down tray and some measurements to Walmart or something and go off that. Maybe on Thursday I'll take a trip and see what I can find. Do you know what group number those batteries were?

 

[cuad4u]

I mounted my 002A and my 003A on trailers so I could move them around the farm or take either to a friend's house if needed. I do not use either OE battery box. I installed my batteries in plastic boat battery boxes and made a hold down tray on the trailer beside each generator. In some of our emergency vehicles we routinely replace batteries every two years - needed or not. I use batteries that were removed from emergency equipment to start my generators. IMO the original batteries had WAY more capacity than normally needed at typical temperatures commonly seen in the southern USA. If you live in Alaska you may need the OE type batteries.

 

[TucsonVTXF]

type 24 for my size....

 

[Corvette1974]

I mounted my 002A and my 003A on trailers so I could move them around the farm or take either to a friend's house if needed. I do not use either OE battery box. I installed my batteries in plastic boat battery boxes and made a hold down tray on the trailer beside each generator. In some of our emergency vehicles we routinely replace batteries every two years - needed or not. I use batteries that were removed from emergency equipment to start my generators. IMO the original batteries had WAY more capacity than normally needed at typical temperatures commonly seen in the southern USA. If you live in Alaska you may need the OE type batteries.

I'm not really looking to do any major mods to the battery set up, but I like the idea of the plastic battery box. That would protect them from the elements pretty well. I agree about the overkill on capacity. Like I said I started it yesterday with at least a 10 year old Autozone battery from my Corvette (it is still going strong after unknown age and sitting dead for two years before I got the car) and my dads Simplicity tractor battery. 6TL/MF are way big for these things.

View attachment 480067type 24 for my size....

Looks Like a good size. Maybe I'll get two of those and some battery boxes for the hold downs.

 

[Suprman]

I got a pair of tiny refurbished batteries from the Interstate guy and mine starts fine with them even at 2 degrees
Will

 

[Corvette1974]

I got a pair of tiny refurbished batteries from the Interstate guy and mine starts fine with them even at 2 degrees
Will

Good idea. That tractor battery I have is a beast. I could use it to start my truck I'd bet. Maybe something like that would be a good choice.