[T3] Battery Issues

[Chris Sheridan]

Hi,
Seems like a go through a battery at least once a year in my 1970 automatic
fastback. I usually just pick one up for about $90 at the local FLAPS  - my
only requirements are that it fits under the seat and has top posts. I
suppose I should be looking for other qualitys.

I recently got a no start condition. Starter would not whirr merrily over
with a screwdriver shorting across the posts. upon turn of key, solenoid and
fuel pump can be heard doing their thing, but no starter. When I put the
battery on my charger it reads fully charged 14 volts. when I start the car
with the battery in situ and the voltometer hooked up, the volts drop from
14v to 2.5 volts. When I hooked up jumpers from another car that is running,
the voltage drops from 14 to 3 and the starter never turns over. Replaced
all connections to the starter, replaced the starter and still no go. My
battery charger is not one from the 60s so it doesn't have at 'trickle
charge' option, just a manual/automatic and either one I choose it still
reads 14 volts fully charged.

How do I purchase a battery that will produce a starting voltage of at least
9 volts, which is what the bosch starter requires? Shouldn't jumping it
bring that voltage up to at least 9volts? Perhaps $90 is not enough to spend
on a battery. How long do you usually get on your batteries?

-Chris
70 fastback automatic
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