Power Wheels 6 volt battery

[Tollytime]

I'm a complete noob and have just started out in scale boats. I'm currently building a stretched Dumas Osprey. The boat has been modified to 37 inches in length. I will post pictures later in the scale forum. My goal is to make a model of my good friends tug. The conversion is going well, but now I must pick how I will power it. I have a new 6 volt Dumas motor and I want to know if I can use a Power Wheels 6 Volt battery? They are very cheap and so is the charger. Weight is not an issue, The boat has to sit low in the water anyway. The craft will be water tight in mostly all compartments just in case it hits a wave. Has any one used one of these batteries or am I wasting my time?

[green-boat]

Welcome to the forum Tollytime. Power wheels batteries will work if you need the ballast or have the room. I personally like the emergency exit light batteries. They are 6 volt @ 4 amp, they are small enough to be tucked away. You can find them at Lowes or Home Depot in the electrical dept and I think that they are cheaper than the PW batteries.

[Tollytime]

Sounds even better, I'll check that out.

[green-boat]

Batteries Plus and Interstate batteries are also good sources for batteries. Interstate tends to be a little cheaper than Batteries Plus.

[patmat2350]

I have TWO Batteries Plus in my neighborhood (no Interstates)... prices are about as good as anything on the web, wide selection too. Happy camper.

Pat M

[jeepers1940]

Just a wee bit off-topic; my Jeep (what else?) Cherokee appears to need a new 12-volt battery. We have an Interstate Battery store nearby. I've never had any dealings with them.
Do they handle car size batteries as well as smaller, specialty type batts? If they do sell auto type batteries, how do they compare quality-wise to the well-known battery brands?
Bill

[1lost1]

The batteries your after are SLA (sealed lead acid). They come in several sizes. I use 2 - 6V 12Ah batteries in my 31in tugboat. Check your phone book for battery wholesalers or commerical suppliers. As for Interstate battery, They are a major battery manufacturer. They make 6,8,12,&24 volt batteries that are comparable to Exide.

[jeepers1940]

Hi 1lost1,
Thank you for the information; right now, I just need to get my (full size) vehicle running again. I have many fond memories of Tacoma (actually, McChord AFB) and Washington state, from the early sixties. Beautiful country, wonderful people. Thanks again.
Bill

[LtDoc]

Bill,
Haven't had an 'Interstate' car battery in ages. Can't say about now, but they were sort of the 'second-rate', el'cheapo place to get batteries. Not expensive like 'Sears', 'Montgomery Wards' (that ought to tell you how long ago - lol), and other places. If it's the same company, and if it's been around this long, it's had to improved some! If I'm giving them a 'bad' reputation, it's because I have no recent knowledge of them. So, don't put any more faith in this than you have to...
- 'Doc

[green-boat]

It has been a loooong time since I bought a 12 volt car battery but the last one that I bought was from WalMart. It seems that factory batteries are lasting longer and longer. In the past 20 years I think that I have bought 3 batteries from WalMart for three different cars and I have had no problem with them. The company vehicle that I drive has yet to have the battery replaced but then they get traded out at 100,000 miles which is about every 2 years for me.

The best battery that I ever had was one from JC Penney's. It finally gave up after 12 years. Their auto department had long been closed and you should have seen the looks I got when I brought that thing into customer service and heaved it up on the counter. The youger staff said I was SOL but finally and older lady showed up and said that she remembered them and pulled out a claim form. I got $35 for that beast. :D :D

[jeepers1940]

Based upon the above information, I may go to Goodyear for the car battery and Interstate for model boat batteries. Thank you for the help.
LtDoc, I always enjoy your posts; I'm glad to see that your sense of humor is still in good working order.
green-boat, I used to get very good service from Sears DieHards, but have heard in recent years that they might no longer be as good as they once were. In all fairness, I don't know.
Again, 'preciate the info.
Bill

[jeepers1940]

Good news - a jump-off from my wife's Jeep (what else?) cranked my Jeep; seems to be none the worse for wear. Don't believe I'll have to buy a car battery after all. Thanks all who commented, advised.
Local Home Depot and Interstate Battery have model boat-type batteries and very helpful people.
Bill

[jmolwitz]

Hows the stretch going :) can't wait to see .