Battery
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
YES, it's a gamble when buying batteries. Get the highest CCA and Ah rating that will easily fit in your Vette. Most of the light weight "racing" batteries have much less Ah and will die without a trickle charge, if let to sit alone for 10 days or more.
Last edited by RetroGuy; Jul 2, 2020 at 10:28 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 1,648
From: Fairfax Virginia
The Optima batteries have let me down twice and they are off my list forever. Save the money and buy a good Deka or Interstate Flooded lead Acid battery and be done with it. After my troubles I spoke to one of their battery guys and he suggested that you charge the Optima using a battery in between the Optima and the charger. It seems that the Optima batteries are sensitive to electrical noise or ac ripple on the charging lines and this can do them harm.
My last was a Red top in a Cadillac STS and it dies with green gas/smoke coming out of it. It was not a good match with the charging system in my STS.
I will say this over and over but the best battery for your Corvette is still a Flooded Lead Acid battery.
The Absorbed Glass Mat batteries are going to work okay as they do have a very low self discharge rate. They have a venting system that will can pop open and release the excess pressure. This frequently happens when they get overcharged or aggressively charged. This can happen too easily for me to use one on my daily driver. When they do "vent" you loose valuable materials that can't be replaced.
When you buy a battery be sure to get one where you have access to the individual cells so you can replace the distilled water that boils out. Then perform annual maintenance and take care of the battery and it will last longer.
I bought a light weight battery for my Motorcycle and it lasted just over 14 months and it was charged and maintained properly. It was a small battery and I don't even have an electric starter. The problem was it is designed for a different charging system than the Yamaha was made with. LiFe batteries are not quiet ready for prime time but they are for sale for automotive and motorcycle applications.
Our Corvettes were designed to use Flooded Lead Acid batteries. Why try anything else when the set-points in the alternator were designed for the FLA battery? Someday they might have a choice of what type of battery you can use but today the vehicles are not designed for the newer battery technologies.
My last was a Red top in a Cadillac STS and it dies with green gas/smoke coming out of it. It was not a good match with the charging system in my STS.
I will say this over and over but the best battery for your Corvette is still a Flooded Lead Acid battery.
The Absorbed Glass Mat batteries are going to work okay as they do have a very low self discharge rate. They have a venting system that will can pop open and release the excess pressure. This frequently happens when they get overcharged or aggressively charged. This can happen too easily for me to use one on my daily driver. When they do "vent" you loose valuable materials that can't be replaced.
When you buy a battery be sure to get one where you have access to the individual cells so you can replace the distilled water that boils out. Then perform annual maintenance and take care of the battery and it will last longer.
I bought a light weight battery for my Motorcycle and it lasted just over 14 months and it was charged and maintained properly. It was a small battery and I don't even have an electric starter. The problem was it is designed for a different charging system than the Yamaha was made with. LiFe batteries are not quiet ready for prime time but they are for sale for automotive and motorcycle applications.
Our Corvettes were designed to use Flooded Lead Acid batteries. Why try anything else when the set-points in the alternator were designed for the FLA battery? Someday they might have a choice of what type of battery you can use but today the vehicles are not designed for the newer battery technologies.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Battery
There is something else that comes into play here .
you mentioned ripple.
there is also a secondary voltage that is made by the alternator.
i know it sounds dumb, but put an AC volt meter on your alternator battery lead then other one to ground.
Read the volts.
if there is more than 1/10th of a volt AC, that may be the problem with your battery failures.
mine was half of a volt, and my
new alternator was down to 100 millivolts.
no more battery problems.
you mentioned ripple.
there is also a secondary voltage that is made by the alternator.
i know it sounds dumb, but put an AC volt meter on your alternator battery lead then other one to ground.
Read the volts.
if there is more than 1/10th of a volt AC, that may be the problem with your battery failures.
mine was half of a volt, and my
new alternator was down to 100 millivolts.
no more battery problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,944
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
There is something else that comes into play here .
you mentioned ripple.
there is also a secondary voltage that is made by the alternator.
i know it sounds dumb, but put an AC volt meter on your alternator battery lead then other one to ground.
Read the volts.
if there is more than 1/10th of a volt AC, that may be the problem with your battery failures.
mine was half of a volt, and my
new alternator was down to 100 millivolts.
no more battery problems.
you mentioned ripple.
there is also a secondary voltage that is made by the alternator.
i know it sounds dumb, but put an AC volt meter on your alternator battery lead then other one to ground.
Read the volts.
if there is more than 1/10th of a volt AC, that may be the problem with your battery failures.
mine was half of a volt, and my
new alternator was down to 100 millivolts.
no more battery problems.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
The Optima battery I bought for my old 63 Nova didn't do any better or last any longer than a regular battery did.
If you have a Rural King around you, that's the place to go. Many of their car batteries are only $49. I think the one I put in my Vette was $74.
Way cheaper than any other stores by me.(Indy)
If you have a Rural King around you, that's the place to go. Many of their car batteries are only $49. I think the one I put in my Vette was $74.
Way cheaper than any other stores by me.(Indy)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Thanks RetroGuy.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Do some research, and you will learn that most/many batteries are made by Johnson Controls or their affiliates.
The 'Gold' series batteries found in many auto stores are all similar in specs and price. Basically, the same battery.
If you are a Costco member, they only carry Interstate now at a very good price. Interstate is made by Johnson Controls.
Costco does not install batteries, but they do provide a core charge refund.
The 'Gold' series batteries found in many auto stores are all similar in specs and price. Basically, the same battery.
If you are a Costco member, they only carry Interstate now at a very good price. Interstate is made by Johnson Controls.
Costco does not install batteries, but they do provide a core charge refund.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Langhorne, PA
The Optima batteries have let me down twice and they are off my list forever. Save the money and buy a good Deka or Interstate Flooded lead Acid battery and be done with it. After my troubles I spoke to one of their battery guys and he suggested that you charge the Optima using a battery in between the Optima and the charger. It seems that the Optima batteries are sensitive to electrical noise or ac ripple on the charging lines and this can do them harm.
My last was a Red top in a Cadillac STS and it dies with green gas/smoke coming out of it. It was not a good match with the charging system in my STS.
I will say this over and over but the best battery for your Corvette is still a Flooded Lead Acid battery.
The Absorbed Glass Mat batteries are going to work okay as they do have a very low self discharge rate. They have a venting system that will can pop open and release the excess pressure. This frequently happens when they get overcharged or aggressively charged. This can happen too easily for me to use one on my daily driver. When they do "vent" you loose valuable materials that can't be replaced.
When you buy a battery be sure to get one where you have access to the individual cells so you can replace the distilled water that boils out. Then perform annual maintenance and take care of the battery and it will last longer.
I bought a light weight battery for my Motorcycle and it lasted just over 14 months and it was charged and maintained properly. It was a small battery and I don't even have an electric starter. The problem was it is designed for a different charging system than the Yamaha was made with. LiFe batteries are not quiet ready for prime time but they are for sale for automotive and motorcycle applications.
Our Corvettes were designed to use Flooded Lead Acid batteries. Why try anything else when the set-points in the alternator were designed for the FLA battery? Someday they might have a choice of what type of battery you can use but today the vehicles are not designed for the newer battery technologies.
My last was a Red top in a Cadillac STS and it dies with green gas/smoke coming out of it. It was not a good match with the charging system in my STS.
I will say this over and over but the best battery for your Corvette is still a Flooded Lead Acid battery.
The Absorbed Glass Mat batteries are going to work okay as they do have a very low self discharge rate. They have a venting system that will can pop open and release the excess pressure. This frequently happens when they get overcharged or aggressively charged. This can happen too easily for me to use one on my daily driver. When they do "vent" you loose valuable materials that can't be replaced.
When you buy a battery be sure to get one where you have access to the individual cells so you can replace the distilled water that boils out. Then perform annual maintenance and take care of the battery and it will last longer.
I bought a light weight battery for my Motorcycle and it lasted just over 14 months and it was charged and maintained properly. It was a small battery and I don't even have an electric starter. The problem was it is designed for a different charging system than the Yamaha was made with. LiFe batteries are not quiet ready for prime time but they are for sale for automotive and motorcycle applications.
Our Corvettes were designed to use Flooded Lead Acid batteries. Why try anything else when the set-points in the alternator were designed for the FLA battery? Someday they might have a choice of what type of battery you can use but today the vehicles are not designed for the newer battery technologies.