I have an old Zenith battery operated radio I want to restore. What kind of battery should I use? Wet cell or dry? Would a motorcycle battery work?

I have not seen a 6 volt motorcycle battery in years. But alot of farm type stores still sell 6 volt tractor batteries. I have a 30 Ford Model A and that is what I use. Wet cell would be easy to recharge with a conventional auto type battery charger with the 6 volt option.
Dan

The best battery would be a 6 volt deep cycle the kind they use in RV's. The big ones are kind of pricy but will last longer than a starting type battery. Many RV's use 12 volts and will have 2, large 6 volt batteries in series which give longer discharge times between charges.

Thanks guys. I've got a cheap dry cell and a rechargeable that actually is intended for an electric fence. The cabinet is done and beautiful. I recapped and I am waiting for a tube and SS vibrator to arrive. But I did have it powered up for awhile. Someone has screwed with the alignment which is outta my expertise so I may have to find someone to do that. BTW, it is a Zenith 4-V-31 tombstone.

BTW, it is a Zenith 4-V-31 tombstone.


Is it this one? That sure is a beaut, fancier than a lot of the farm radios were that's I've seen.

'Course, we don't see much in the way of the fancier old Zeniths here, sad to say/

That is the one. I will post a pic when it is done.

I have an old Zenith battery operated radio I want to restore. What kind of battery should I use? Wet cell or dry? Would a motorcycle battery work?

You can pick up a battery eliminator on ebay for probably less then a battery and charger costs. Here are some current auctions for the Heathkit units. They will power 6 volt farm sets.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Heathkit-Battery-Eliminator-Power-Supply-0-to-12-VDC_W0QQitemZ170056509312QQihZ007QQcategoryZ58286Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Heathkit-Battery-Eliminator-model-IP-12-unassembled_W0QQitemZ130054807310QQihZ003QQcategor yZ3284QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/HEATHKIT-MODEL-IP-12-BATTERY-ELIMINATOR-w-MANUAL_W0QQitemZ110064795481QQihZ001QQcategoryZ150 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I also have the 4-v-31 , they are nice playing sets.

Thanks Chimes I am bidding.