After bumping the rear view mirror lights accidentally somehow, either with a folding sun-shade or just moving around in the car (yet again), and then covering up the car for a couple of days, came back to a fully dead 'regular' battery.

Not a surprise, as it's s been in there since 2014. While it started to SLOWLY take up a charge after about 4 hours, I figured screw that, it's cashed enough and has gave a good life, that it could happen again quickly and in short order under a similar scenario out on the open road, with repeat bonehead action of bumping something on it happening again.

Went up and grabbed a new Optima Yellow Top 48/DH6 to drop in. A perfect fit, identical to its OEM size in every way, without any future worry of acid seepage destruction. Highly unlikely to ever crap out for a long while. (I've had Optima red top batteries in 3 of my other classic cars for 15, 18, and 21 years respectively and they still give full CCA as if new.) Worth every penny.

ALSO.... in the process, pulled the battery tray which had been afflicted with acid corrosion in a small 3" area around the lip, cleaned that area up with a wire wheel, and re-painted the whole thing with VHT semi-gloss black epoxy chassis paint.

AND... like many others, repaired a cavity in the gray plastic micro-hose that runs under the battery tray and into the firewall, by cutting the obliterated 1/2 inch section out and fitting each fresh end over a similar sized copper micro vacuum tube as a joiner.

For what it's worth, everyone seems to assume acid leak is causing this issue; I don't think so.

If you look directly beneath the battery tray, there is a large exit/drain hole for debris, acid, water, etc. which has a clear pass through indirectly to the underside of the car. It's also quite roomy in that space under the battery tray for a tiny creature to get some habitational enjoyment away from the elements.

In all the photos I've seen of the suspected acid destruction of the hose, they certainly look more like they were chewed on by a mouse, rather than from chemical burn, which was also evident with my own on real close-up examination. From a distance, it look like natural dried out decay or acid ate through it, but looking at it closely I could see minute rows of 'carvings' around the holed out areas, leading me to suspect that may be a hot target area for mice to explore. I've also heard many of these modern cars use plant-based plastics for such hoses and wiring harness insulation and wraps, that its possible that further invites some nibbling.

And that's what I did, good as new again.

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