Mordi

I have an 01 C5 with the original OEM Delco AGM battery. The battery has been hooked up since day one to a trickle charger device. Since the car still fires up like a champ, I like to think that the trickle charger has had something to due with the prolonged service life of the battery. However, I realize, I may be pushing my luck and it is probably not a bad idea to at least start thinking about a replacement battery.

I have read many posts about batteries. I have tentatively narrowed down my choice for a replacement battery to either the Exide Orbital, AC Delco Professional or the Optima Red Top. (Given that the replacement battery will also be hooked up to a trickle charger, the recent posts regarding the Optima battery failures may not be as big as issue for me ).

For those of you who keep their batteries hooked up to a battery tender or other trickle charger device - Has anyone had any issues/problems with the Exide Orbital, AC Delco Professional, or Optima Red Top?

Thanks,
Mordi

IMXCITD

I have an Optima and have been very happy with it. Have used a trickle charger this winter.

krm_wi_C5

I just purchased a Delco 78-60. I researched all of the exotic batteries and determined, at least for me, that the one that I bought will work just fine. My favorite part was that the new battery has a handle on the top, makes installing so much easier. My old battery still worked, but it was 6 years old, would have turned 7 this summer. It was an ordinary Interstate, never leaked, never failed me. I kept a trickle charger on only the last 2 winters. I looked at the Delco Professional but couldn't see paying the difference.

ROJ#79

Bills03Coupe

You shouldn't be using a trickle charger, it should be a Float charger.
A trickle charger has a constant low amperage (usually 1 Amp) output, while a float charger monitors the charge level and MAINTAINS the battery at peak efficiency. It will never overcharge a battery. I use a CTEK 3300 (Purchased from Chip @ CCA) on my Exide Orbital, and it works great!

Mordi

You are correct - I used the wrong terminology

I have been using a battery tender

Mordi

MagRedConv

Red Top here too; three years and no issues.

IrishMac

I'm going against the grain and will say....get any battery with enough CCA (700+) that fits. After 10 years with my original AC Delco I just installed a Costco battery for $63.00. I just can't see spending $160 or so for a gel battery.

Just my $0.02

Vetteman Jack

I've had the Optima Red Top in my car since November 2001 - and hooked to a trickle charger for about 5 years. Never had a problem with the battery starting the car.

krm_wi_C5

Me too.....

DeeGee

My car only comes out at weekends so I use an Optima Yellow Top and it's doing well after about 18 months. I'd say you'd be good with any of those batteries if you're using a battery tender. For me, I'm happy to spend the extra $$ for an AGM battery. I guess I'm just cautious after having a leak from an old AC Delco. The new ones are built by a different manufacturer now.

bucwheat

TEXHAWK0

I would just go with the ACDelco professional battery, with 50 month replacement warranty. Might even change out battery cables to the top post version on the 2004.

As more Optimas get into service, it appears they fail just like any other battery and are not worth the premium. Same with the Orbital version.

Whiteonrice

You had the AC Delco for 7 years no problems. Why change to an Optima now. I had one in my C4 that was 8 years old before it gave up. Just my .02...

Rick

2CRUZIN

Optima Red top and Battery Tender here.

davcose01

Optima Red Top with a battery tender, no problems and the car is not driven very often .

Dave68

As you know, my AC Delco battery was just about 7 years old before I gave it a rest. One thing you might mention is the excellent price that Summit offers with the AC Delco Professional: $99.00.

It has a 50-month free replacement warranty - best of them all, and with a beefed-up case, highly unlikely to leak. That's what I now have and I stand behind it, 100%.

bestvettever

Hello, I've posted so many times on battery issues, so I guess you can guess what I'd do. If you got such good service out of the OEM delco, and the new pro series are even better and warranted for more time, why even look elsewhere. And what you post goes to confirm, is that a battery when properly cared for will live up to it's manufacturers expectation. The thing to make sure of is whenever you buy a new Battery whatever brand, make sure it is a fresh one, not one that has been laying around on the shelf for more than a month or so. They all have date codes and you should check in to it. I personally would, and have gone with the one made for the car,The Delco Professional Series, because I'm sure it will last as long as it is supposed to. Not that I'm saying that other brands wouldn't, but because I have no reason to look elsewhere.
Good Luck

craig04c5

Is that Summit Racing or Summit Auto Parts? If it's Summit Auto Parts I am out of luck. None near me in So. Florida.