Don't forget about getting a Deep Cycle Battery like the ones used for motorboats. They can get drained down to nothing, but can still get charged back up as if nothing happened. Regular batteries can't do that and once their voltages drop below 10 Volts then they're history. The difference is that the Deep Cycle batteries have larger conductors and plates with more surface area so that if you drain them down to nothing there is still enough bare surface area to recharge. And, the conductors are thicker so they can sustain more amperages.

I agree with most people that the batteries which are referenced at part stores such as Exide, Interstate, etc. are junk and won't last 3 years. However, these same companies also produce good batteries that seem to last forever. Exide makes a Deep Cycle battery called the Nautilus in two flavors; Dual Purpose and Gold. Here's a picture of the Dual Purpose that I bought:


It's a Group 24 battery so it fits perfectly into the OEM brackets...keep in mind that the OEM replacement is a group 74 which is shorter, but the design of the brackets and the size of the battery compartment were made to house the longer group 24 as an option. I bought one in 95 when I was living in my Pinto and I still had that Pinto and lived in it again at the end of 2001 and most of 2002. I had two alternators in that Pinto so that one of them was on a separate circuit so I could run a 3000 Watt DC to AC converter which I plugged my computers into and on those frosty mornings plugged a 1500 Watt space heater into so I could defrost my windows quickly. I drained that battery down to nothing each night...in the winter I used a camp stove with some flexible aluminum ducting with a computer fan blowing air through it to keep me warm...in the summer I used an ice chest with ice covering the same ducting to keep me cool. In the morning the computer fan was barely turning and the dome light was almost too dim to see...battery voltage was around 6 Volts. But, it charged right back up each day. I did have to replace one of them after 5 years, but it really took a beating especially with the space heater each morning and the fact that I melted the battery terminals on it twice before it gave up the ghost.

Here's the specs:

NC-24 Nautilus Marine/RV Dual Purpose Starting/Deep Cycle Battery
Length: 11"
Width: 6-13/16"
Height: 9-1/2"
CCA: 500 @ 0ºF
MCA: 625 @ 32ºF
Amp Hours: 75
Reserve: 120 Minutes
Warranty: 24 month with Free replacement during first year, prorated during 2nd year.
Price: $65USD available at Checker/Shucks/Kragen.
Web Purchase: http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...rtnumber=nc-24


NG-24 Nautical Gold Marine/RV Deep Cycle Batter
Length: 10-3/16"
Width: 6-13/16"
Height: 9-7/16"
CCA: 400 @ 0ºF
MCA: 500 @ 32ºF
Amp Hours: 80
Reserve: 140 Minutes
Warranty: 24 month with Free replacement during first year, prorated during 2nd year.
Price: $75USD available at Checker/Shucks/Kragen.
Web Purchase: http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...rtnumber=ng-24

As you can see...the Gold has less cranking amps, but more reserves. Either one will work well in our vettes, but the Gold is a bit tighter fit and it doesn't seem to have any benefit over the standard nautilus.

 

Thanks everybody, all good info and now I have alot more choices that before. Now to make a decision............Hmmmmmmmmmmm?

 

If you are looking for a Delco, Pepboys sells them. FYI... There is no such thing as a "foreign made" car battery... All batteries in any car in the US were made in the US! As for battery manufacturers, there are only three and will always be three...all "Brand Name" batteries are just restickered for sale at various stores.... (the EPA wont allow any other companies to make batteries)

 

Personally, I have used the $60 Advanced Auto batteries in both my vettes and they have not caused any problems at all...they start even in sub zero weather here in The Great White North....unless you're a NCRS fan and want an original Delco for restoration purposes, I'd get a battery you can afford at a local car store and call it a day...