Best Battery
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Best Battery
As I mentioned in another thread, I want to put a new battery on my 1995, so I'd like to hear pros and cons of the various batteries folks have used. My car is not a DD and it may set for a week or two in the garage with out being started. I use a tender on my Motorcycle and could use one on the vette if I wanted to. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 14
From: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
I'm pretty sure all batteries are about the same. You really should look to "value", ...the most battery (cold cranking amps) with the longest warranty.
Hate to spread good about Wally World, but their series of auto batteries are about the best.
Good pricing and come with a 3 year full replacement warranty.
And yes, you should use a battery tender
Hate to spread good about Wally World, but their series of auto batteries are about the best.
Good pricing and come with a 3 year full replacement warranty.
And yes, you should use a battery tender
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Opinions on batteries are like noses, everbody has one. I like Optima, for your use it would be a good option. Some will say AC Delco, Interstate, Sears Diehard or Champion. I doubt there will be much support for "second line" batteries from Wally World,Advance or Autozone. Not to say "second line" wont serve well. Other than my Optima my only recommendation would be a battery with as much reserve capacity as possible.
Some people have had difficulty with an Optima fitting in the battery tray and not hitting the firewall brace. Before spending the bucks for an Optima insure it will fit.
Some people have had difficulty with an Optima fitting in the battery tray and not hitting the firewall brace. Before spending the bucks for an Optima insure it will fit.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Warren, Michigan
I been getting Consumers Reports for the last trillion years and they have more than once tested automotive batteries. I don't remember them all, but I remember Costco brand (I believe exide makes them), Autozone and Sears being in the top 5 of the batteries. look up the past testings on their website. very non-biased and effective testings on every product
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 14
From: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
I'm sure there are minimal battery manufacturers. Retailers have batteries made for their market, ...which consists of labeling. I do not know what "second line" batteries are, nor have I ever heard that terminology.
Optima is a different type of battery, having gel in lieu of fluids. Doesn't mean they last any longer though.
I bought into that theory and purchased a Red Top for my
'92. Eh, it lasted less than three years. Warranty replaced it, but I'd never spend that kind of money again. BTW, didn't have a fit problem with it.
Optima is a different type of battery, having gel in lieu of fluids. Doesn't mean they last any longer though.
I bought into that theory and purchased a Red Top for my
'92. Eh, it lasted less than three years. Warranty replaced it, but I'd never spend that kind of money again. BTW, didn't have a fit problem with it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Batteries are like water heators. A 10 year water heator lasts about 10 years. A 5 year battery lasts about 5 years.
A battery is like a car stereo, what ever its says on the face of the unit its made in China by one or two companies.
Its the specs and the warranty that make the difference.
Theres two or three or four mfgs for batteries. Theres a website that says who makes what. Sears makes nothing.
If the Die-hard is speced right and has a good warranty then its a good bet.
Its all about the amps, the charge/discharge cycle rate, and the warranty.
A battery is like a car stereo, what ever its says on the face of the unit its made in China by one or two companies.
Its the specs and the warranty that make the difference.
Theres two or three or four mfgs for batteries. Theres a website that says who makes what. Sears makes nothing.
If the Die-hard is speced right and has a good warranty then its a good bet.
Its all about the amps, the charge/discharge cycle rate, and the warranty.
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Interstate or AC Delco. Just make sure it hasn't been sitting on a shelf for a year. Check the date codes and buy from someone who can tell you how long the battery has been sitting there. There is a shelf life to batteries.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville TN
I just installed a Red Top Optima in my 93 Coupe. May be just because it's what I wanted that the car seems to crank, lights are brighter, yadda, yadda...since the installation. I also run 2 amps off it so I wanted a good battery. My other battery was almost done so it was a matter of necessity to change.
The Red Top is top and side posts so I DID have to cut about 1/2 of the (+) top post and then recapped it with the plastic cap to keep it off the brace to the firewall. I trimmed the post with a coping saw. I also had to trim the inside edge off my battery tray so that it would slide in completely to accomodate putting the side panel back on.
Albeit changing out one by one, I have Everyready batts in my Liberty and Expediton and they are fine. Each has a full 3 year replacement warranty from SAM's. I prefer the Optima's but sometimes it's all about budget.
There and again, it's personal preference, but I have the warm-fuzzy that I have an Optima underneath in my vette.
The Red Top is top and side posts so I DID have to cut about 1/2 of the (+) top post and then recapped it with the plastic cap to keep it off the brace to the firewall. I trimmed the post with a coping saw. I also had to trim the inside edge off my battery tray so that it would slide in completely to accomodate putting the side panel back on.
Albeit changing out one by one, I have Everyready batts in my Liberty and Expediton and they are fine. Each has a full 3 year replacement warranty from SAM's. I prefer the Optima's but sometimes it's all about budget.
There and again, it's personal preference, but I have the warm-fuzzy that I have an Optima underneath in my vette.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: saginaw michigan
I have a 7-year AC-Delco 93 coupe.Its 8 years old.This will be the last year for it.Starting to get weak on a load test. All batteries have a date somewhere usaully on top.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
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From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 59
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From: Harrisburg North Carolina
I would not buy an Exide.
I had problems with one in my 93 and went through 3 batteries before I bought an AC Delco. It seems the exide would be fine for a week and then would short out and go dead. I tried several times to charge the batteries before taking them back because of all the fun you get to have in replacing a C4 battery, but to only have them go dead again in a day or two.
My car will sit for several weeks between driving and I have not had any problems since changing to the Delco. Delco was the factory battery for the time the car was built.
I had problems with one in my 93 and went through 3 batteries before I bought an AC Delco. It seems the exide would be fine for a week and then would short out and go dead. I tried several times to charge the batteries before taking them back because of all the fun you get to have in replacing a C4 battery, but to only have them go dead again in a day or two.
My car will sit for several weeks between driving and I have not had any problems since changing to the Delco. Delco was the factory battery for the time the car was built.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
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From: Macomb MI
I would say Interstate sucks...but that would be giving them too much credit...check this forum thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1031134
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
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From: Macomb MI
I have come of the opinion, the best choice is any national retailer who will honor their warranty. Sears, Sams, Wally, parts stores...I had to replace a three year old battery at Sam's, the current price was slighly higher than when I bought mine, I paid $2.19 plus tax for the new one,
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: Albany Oregon
Well, here is a company that I live just miles from and they make battery separators. All I can say about them is they don't deal with Exide.
http://www.entek-international.com/P...Rhinohide.html
http://www.entek-international.com/P...Rhinohide.html
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles County MO
Consumer Reports classified the MAXX battery as a "best buy". You can purchase one at Wal-Mart.
I bought the one recommended for my 1990. It was $65 + tax.
It has a free replacement for the first 3 years, then pro-rated for the next 9 years. I would think that if it fails, it would be in that first 3 year period.
There are a lot of batteries with the first year free, then pro-rated after that.
This battery has 690 cold cranking amps, which is higher than stock.
And, there are Wal-Marts everywhere in case you need a replacement!
I bought the one recommended for my 1990. It was $65 + tax.
It has a free replacement for the first 3 years, then pro-rated for the next 9 years. I would think that if it fails, it would be in that first 3 year period.
There are a lot of batteries with the first year free, then pro-rated after that.
This battery has 690 cold cranking amps, which is higher than stock.
And, there are Wal-Marts everywhere in case you need a replacement!