Michael A

I have an Optima Red Top in my Trans Am. I almost killed it with a dome light, and after testing various charging amperages, was able to bring it back to life (3 amps).

I've also had the Exide Orbital battery in my C5. That one died after a year. It was replaced under warranty, and it last about three years and died (partially my fault to letting the car sit without a tender) while I was working on it. The Orbital is really hard to find now.

Now I am looking for a new battery, and wanted to see if there were any absorbed glass mat batteries beside Optima. I had the orginal Delco battery leak on me, and will not purchase another wet cell battery for my C5, or probably any other car for that matter. Not worth the risk of leakage - what a mess!

Michael

2KFRC5

C5FORFUN2

Nice, I hear they are a relabeled Oddessy. Expensive though $210

2KFRC5

EnerSys manufactures Odessy batteries.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...27/038513.html

The DieHard Platinum batteries are manufactured in EnerSys' U.S. manufacturing facility in Warrensburg, Mo, where the first DieHard Platinum came off the production line today (2/27/2007). They have a valve-regulated design that allows them to be installed in any orientation, except inverted, without spilling and the U.S. Department of Transportation has classified them as non- spillable for safe shipping.

CatCam

The DieHard is a good choice -but- I like the Delco 7-year Professional. 50-month free replacement limited warranty — the best in the industry

GUSTO14

I have been using the Exide Orbitals for about 10 years now and been very pleased with them.

http://www.remybattery.com/Products/...RB75DT-84.aspx

They typically run about $160 for our vehicles and many of your local auto parts stores carry them or can have them for you in a few days.

Good luck... GUSTO

Michael A

Isn't the Delco Professional a wet cell battery? I was looking for an AGM battery.

Michael

Vetteman Jack

I just bought one of these (about two months ago) - replaced my Optima Red Top.

Kale

Sears Platinum Plus has been great in my car.

brian ns04

I have had a Odyssey Battery PC925MJT is my car for 3 yrs starts up first time every time.

Dave68

"Wet cell" batteries haven't been leakers since the year 2000. Every non-AGM available today is of much better case construction since back then and leaks are virtually unheard of. In fact, I've seen more posts about AGM batteries seeping than I have of non-AGM leaks (none).

You are essentially spending more money than you have to if you insist on buying an AGM battery. An exception is if you off-road your vehicle in one of the Baja races. Currently, the best AGM battery is the Sears Platinum but at 3X the cost of a Costco Kirkland battery and double the excellent AC Delco Professional, you are paying dearly for a battery that is only slightly better than anything else.

MAC5

Recently noticed BJ's wholesale club is now carrying both Exide Orbitals in there stores. Prices ranged from $139-159 for the 3 models, two car, one marine model

my6thvette

I bought a new wet cell battery in 2003 and it developed a bad leak within 6 months. Replaced it with an Optima Red Top which is still working fine in my car.

GUSTO14

Dave... I'll have to agree with Curtis (my6thvette), I bought a new Delco in 2005 to replace the Delco in my C4 and within a year it was leaking acid. Fortunately I caught it before it did much more than remove some paint from the frame. I had always had good luck with Delco's in years past, but I will not spend another dime on a Delco until they resolve their QC problems.

I have had to replace an AGM (an ORBITAL) but never had one leak.

The Orbital I had an issue with I bought on-line from a major south Florida battery distributor. When it refused to hold a charge after about a year, I called them and they told me they were no longer carrying Exide batteries. They suggested I call Exide directly but, if Exide would not help me they would work something out.

I contacted Exide and they linked me with their regional distributor for my area. She told me to take the battery to XYZ, a local dealer in Exide batteries and to give them her name. I was to tell them she would make good on any replacement they gave me. Picked up a new Orbital a day later and have had no issues since.

Good luck... GUSTO

c5BlackBeauty

I drank the Optimum kool-aid and was very disappointed. Move to the Sear's Platinum and am extremely pleased.

Dave68

Gusto,

To be honest, yours and Curtis's posts are the first reports I've seen since 2000 (and I've seen a lot) of ANY post-2000 AC Delcos leaking. I have seen reports of at least two Optimas that leaked and many early-death Orbitals. However, I'd venture to say that there are 10x as many AC Delco batteries installed in vehicles at any given time than there are Optimas and 50x as many as Orbitals. Most likely, the percentage of bad AC Delcos, which are made by Johnson Controls, is extremely small.

It looks like you are among a rare breed who has had more than one post-2000 batteries fail early.

Dave

DeeGee

I was one of the strongest voices during the time when the original OEM batteries (installed 97-00) were out there. I lobbied hard to make sure that anyone at risk of damage from leaking AC Delcos was aware of the risk. My strong view at the time was that everyone should switch to Red Tops to minimize that risk. The problem was a badly designed side post which could crack the case if over torqued. Having checked around on the Forum I think it safe to say that the badly designed AC Delcos are now all gone so the risk of leaking is also past.

The reason many of us went for AGMs (Optima Red Top) was to avoid the risk of leaks. In my case a battery fitted to my sons Camaro leaked so I was wary and went for a Red Top. The problem is you need to look after a Red Top if your car isnt a daily driver as the don't take kindly to being discharged.

What many don't realize is that there were 3 types of battery fitted to the C5 and each type had different strengths and weaknesses:
97-00 AC Delco lead acid type
00-03 AC Delco AGM
03-04 AC Delco lead acid redesigned

The OEM battery in my Vette died prematurely as it had the same characteristics as a Red Top

This car has a drain (about 20MA) so maybe the AGM is not the best choice for a weekend car unless you keep it on a tender. If your car is a daily driver I'd say any battery will give you good service.

Providing you buy a battery that meets the GM spec ( Cold Cranking Ampage (CCA) of 500A and a reserve capacity of 80 minutes) you can select any of the modern batteries available. The ones quoted here seem to be reliable. If you go for an AGM to avoid leaks you may be paying more for a problem that has gone away.

JMHO

YO-EL

BIG 10/4 buddy!!!!

tracer1

I have a DeKa AGM....800cca, 125 res. Never a problem. Even use these in my bass boat for years. Cost $116.00 including tax.

MAC5

DeeGee,

All good points in your post.

Will comment on your last sentence in that although improvements in the battery construction have been made to minimize potential leakage, in most cars its not a major problem. However in the C5 it's a potential disaster if the acid dump gets the computer and cable connector. The minimal additional cost of an AGM over a standard lead acid battery is IMO cheap insurance on handling both of the contributors, the vulnerable location of critical electronics and the potential for a leaking battery.