The absolute only problem I have with my R2-and-a-half Avanti is of my own
making:  it has an old (1990) high-draw alarm system, made by Code-A-Fone
and marketed back then through Ziebart.  Even when you don't "arm" the
system, it kills batteries in two or three days in its alert mode, and
effectively sulfates them if they sit dead. My 446 watt McIntosh does not
like the thought of electrical surges.

I have a whole history of trying to deal with this: ran, did not walk, after
the first Nascar Exide orbital batteries (shorted internally, fast); changed
alternator to a  one-wire Delco 80 (works fine, no ammeter function);
fabricated improved battery rack and clamp to get at least physical
stability; installed Battery Buddy automatic shutoff (locks up the ignition
disconnect when it shuts down, requires second battery to reboot); bought
really expensive dry-cell like the tuner boys use (died just like the
others); disconnected the Hella shortamatic driving lights and their relays
just to eliminate possibilities.

Conclusions so far are (1) The Craftsmen's wiring work is all right, until
one starts inserting all those microprocessors;  (2) A surprising number of
respected brand names have found their way onto my Do Not Buy list; (3) stop
me if you've already heard that the FLAPS staff doesn't have quantum-level
knowledge of Whats, Oms & that plus/minus thing.  And, oh yeah, nothing says
house-trailer-on-jackstands quite like the Sunday morning whoop of hooking
up a charged battery to a self-arming alarm.

I've decided to start blaming my maintenance charger, a Sears "automatic"
that supposedly cuts itself down to trickle.  This led to a little google
research.  Apparently, even new battery toppers are not reliable in their
roll off, and will burn out a battery if left connected.  A
silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) charger senses battery condition, will
cut down to nothing, and administers a jolt cycle to prevent that salting
process, costing just over twice what automatics do.   I plan to bolt one
under the hood, valve-wired to a deep-cycle marine gel, and trail around a
3-prong pigtail like everybody's got in Sault Ste. Marie.

I wonder if some reasonably-priced tricklers have this  SCR feature.  Any
bitter experience out there?

Found on the way:  Willard was an Electrical Storage Battery/Exide product
(not a Studebaker subsidiary?) and the brand is alive and well in South
Africa.  Exides were the extra-cost option on Studebaker electric trucks,
and still are on Brand-X electrics.  Hobart Welders of Troy, Ohio (Jack
Hewitt's hometown) sold their industrial charger division, and those units
now take full marketing advantage of the honored Prestolite name.

Mike Seery
R3672 (square headlights don't burn out--they round off over time)
53 M47 6X6 (24 volts is really just two 12's, if you HOT hook them up BZZZT
right)