Battery Advice Please
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Valdosta GA
Battery Advice Please
Old battery died on me - I could tell the last few weeks that it was cranking a little slow. I,ve got the old one out (what a pain!), everything cleaned up and ready to buy a new one. Right now I am really leaning towards an Optima Red Top. I don't mind paying more for the best - what are your thoughts? Is the gel type worth the extra bucks? Also, will it "work better" in the environment of sitting a week or two at a time without being driven in the winter?
One other question - is the size deal a big issue? (cutting tabs off battery tray)
Thanks - Steve
1994 Coupe
:flag
One other question - is the size deal a big issue? (cutting tabs off battery tray)
Thanks - Steve
1994 Coupe
:flag
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 35
From: INDIANA
Re: Battery Advice Please (kwhman)
I hate to say it, cause I won a Red top in a race this summer, but I don't see it fitting at all, if you cut the side out of the tray, you still have the positive post touching the cross frame brace which the cruise and computer mount to, plus with the tray cut you do not have sufficient support, cause the hold down place on the Optima isn't really enough to hold it side-to-side ways. Too much adapting in my opinion, and thats why the Vette isn't listed in the Optima charts. Guess my Optima is going in the winter car, and the new Delco in the Vette. The original Delco lasted 7.5 years BTW.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Battery Advice Please (kwhman)
The November Consumers Report shows that the Optima battery did not measure the CCA or reserve time claimed for the battery AND it cost close to double conventional batteries which did measure as claimed. Some people swear by them and some at them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,388
Likes: 1
From: X
Re: Battery Advice Please (kwhman)
My battery has a 1.5 amp trickle charger attached to the side. (It's size is about 6" x 5" x 1" thick) If she is going to lay around for a while I just plug her in. I found it at Lowes in the garden department. It was a clearence item and only cost $16.00 They had about a dozen there.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: FORT WORTH TEXAS
Re: Battery Advice Please (kwhman)
Steve, the best results for my 87 have come from unhooking the underhood lights which seem to come on with the hood down from time to time. (maybe not a problem on yours). I went with a good quality battery and added the floating charge trickle solution like Jon M recommends. All for under 75$. regards, Jim
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Battery Advice Please (kwhman)
I've got an optima battery that fits just fine. If it puts out the CCA it is rated at or not doesn't bother me, it's plenty enough to start the car. It has benefits, such as it's vibration resistance and it being sealed so it COULD be mounted upside down if need be.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,837
Likes: 289
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Re: Battery Advice Please (Nathan Plemons)
I've got an optima battery that fits just fine
If you race at all they're worth it.
I've too many conventional batteries die at the track due to warped plates.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 35
From: INDIANA
Re: Battery Advice Please (kwhman)
Nathon and Bryan:
How did you install your Optima? Mine is sitting in the tray right now, its 1/4" too wide and the positive post touches the cross frame piece. I can see maybe cutting the post off, but won't the battery touch the side panel of the car if you cut the tray? And do you think the hold down is enough for hard turns if you don't have the tray to hold the battery from side motion? Thanks, I would really like to use the Optima, I won it last May in the Silver State Calssic race, so it does BELONG in the Vette! :)
[Modified by LT1GMC, 2:20 PM 12/17/2001]
How did you install your Optima? Mine is sitting in the tray right now, its 1/4" too wide and the positive post touches the cross frame piece. I can see maybe cutting the post off, but won't the battery touch the side panel of the car if you cut the tray? And do you think the hold down is enough for hard turns if you don't have the tray to hold the battery from side motion? Thanks, I would really like to use the Optima, I won it last May in the Silver State Calssic race, so it does BELONG in the Vette! :)
[Modified by LT1GMC, 2:20 PM 12/17/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,837
Likes: 289
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Re: Battery Advice Please (LT1GMC)
There's a lip there to hold the original design in.
You just "persude" it in place ( gently please ) and it will pop in.
The lip on the Optima was took the stock hold down clamp
You just "persude" it in place ( gently please ) and it will pop in.
The lip on the Optima was took the stock hold down clamp
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: Battery Advice Please (kwhman)
I just stuck the Optima red top in my 86 without changing anything. Their isn't much room for it to move around, and so far it has been riding in there OK!! :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 2
From: Windermere FL
Re: Battery Advice Please (BrianCunningham)
The optima is used alot because its a gel battery, not fluid. No vapors for C3 applications. But not really any difference for most other apps. A new delco or Diehard will be just as good. If you play your sterio alot or leave your car for long periods of time without using it, like in winter, you might want a deep cycle marine battery. They last much longer than regular car batteries as they are meant to sit on a boat for months at a time and be fine. Costs a bit more but worth it if you want to play your sterio for a few hours at a park or have a habit of leaving your lights on for example. :cheers:
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Stuck in the 80's
Re: Battery Advice Please (92TripleBlack)
The Carquest nearest me (Ellisville, MO) carry's AC Delco parts for the same or just a few bucks more than other discount parts stores non AC Delco parts.
After twenty years of experience with countless makes of batteries, and other parts, I now use the same brand as I use for all my replacement parts, AC DELCO!
Maintenance free with warranty, although all mine have outlasted their warranty, that's why I go with the best, besides it OE :)
After twenty years of experience with countless makes of batteries, and other parts, I now use the same brand as I use for all my replacement parts, AC DELCO!
Maintenance free with warranty, although all mine have outlasted their warranty, that's why I go with the best, besides it OE :)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 118
From: Texas
Re: Battery Advice Please (92TripleBlack)
There is only one place I buy batteries. Wal-Mart. Their Everstart battery is $29.95 and I have been using them for years in all my cars. I have found they last as long, if not longer, than the name brand high dollar batteries. I have had one in my big block car for over four years. That car gets stored for many months at a time without the benefit of a trickle charger. It starts easily every time.
[Modified by Cam Potter, 3:57 PM 12/17/2001]
[Modified by Cam Potter, 3:57 PM 12/17/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 69,020
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From: Bagpipes put the "fun" in "funeral"
Re: Battery Advice Please (Cam Potter)
There is only one place I buy batteries. Wal-Mart. Their Everstart battery is $29.95 and I have been using them for years in all my cars. I have found they last as long, if not longer, than the name brand high dollar batteries. I have had one in my big block car for over four years. That car gets stored for many months at a time without the benefit of a trickle charger. It starts easily every time.
The ACDelco battery I put in my vette 1 year ago is already leaking around the eye, and is only reading 11.2 volts on my dash-- and I occasionally get a no-start condition, or slow start. I'm never buying ACDelco batteries again.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,837
Likes: 289
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Re: Battery Advice Please (Thud)
The ACDelco battery I put in my vette 1 year ago is already leaking around the eye, and is only reading 11.2 volts on my dash-- and I occasionally get a no-start condition, or slow start. I'm never buying ACDelco batteries again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 1,297
From: Windermere FL
Re: Battery Advice Please (kwhman)
I installed an Optima Red top a couple of months ago and also relocated it to the rear. No problems so far.
Had the procedure in a tech tip section. Seemed to disappear off the face of the Earth. Suppose I won't bother to go thru the trouble of posting them in the future.
Had the procedure in a tech tip section. Seemed to disappear off the face of the Earth. Suppose I won't bother to go thru the trouble of posting them in the future.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Columbus oh
Re: Battery Advice Please (Flame Red)
I always buy the cheapest battery with the required cranking amps. All batteries are living on borrowed time after 3 years anyway. So buying those expensive ones in a huge waste. In fact on my old Mercedes I bought the recommended one for $175. it croaked the 4th year, Autozone $39 one lasted just as long, as far as I know its still working. Those long warranties are all pro rated so its no great thing if you get one thats guaranteed for 7 years, they sell you another battery and give you a $10 credit.........and thats after paying over a $100. Just do the math. JMHO. :chevy
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Re: Battery Advice Please (black86targa)
AC Delco seems to be the way to go. In the winter, sometimes I won't start or drive my car for a month or so, but when I get in and turn the key you can barely notice any battery drain.