larrysb

Well, it is looking like my AGM battery is probably going to kick the bucket. Yesterday and this morning, my radio stations all got erased when I started her up. I take it as a warning sign that it is time to replace her.

I know the Optima Red Top was the hip battery to have a couple of years ago, not sure what to get now. I like the idea of a non-leaking battery.

It's only a 2002 with just over 3yrs on the clock. There's some warranty on the Delco, but I'm not sure I want another crappy dealer battery.

What say ye?

SGT. PYLE

I have had no problems with my Red Top and actually like knowing I dont have to worry about it leaking. Alot of folks have been getting the Orbital battery latley.

GrayC5

I too have seen a number of good reviews on the Exide Select Orbital® and Exide Select Orbital® XCD batteries. Like the Optima Red and Yellow Top batteries, the Exide Select Orbital series of batteries are AGM batteries also. The Exide Select Orbital® XCD battery is their deep cycle battery similar to the Optima Yellow Top. My understanding is that Exide Technologies originally developed the AGM technology and licensed it to Optima. I don't know where you might find the Exide Select Orbital batteries in your area, but the Sam's Clubs carry them locally. Sam's markets their NASCAR XLT line of batterries (#s XDT34 & XDT35)

GrayC5

I too have seen a number of good reviews on the Exide Select Orbital® and Exide Select Orbital® XCD batteries. Like the Optima Red Top and Yellow Top batteries, the Exide Select Orbital series of batteries are AGM batteries also. The Exide Select Orbital® XCD battery is their deep cycle battery similar to the Optima Yellow Top. My understanding is that Exide Technologies originally developed the AGM technology and licensed it to Optima. I don't know where you might find the Exide Select Orbital batteries in your area, but the Sam's Clubs carry them locally. Sam's markets these under their NASCAR XLT line of batteries, numbers XDT34 & XDT35. Exide makes the NASCAR line of batteries exclusively for Sam's Club. Hope this helps.

Dave68

To be honest, the only leaking battery I ever had was back in 85. My voltage regulator was pumping megavolts into my 68's AC Delco and she nearly exploded (no fault of her own). Now my 01's AGM is still kicking after 4 and a half years, but when this one dies, I will look into the Orbital and others.

mqqn

Hi larrysb -

My glass mat stock battery in my Z06 lasted 3.5 years...then went belly up.

While I did go with an optima, and have been happy with it (and it looks good underhood as well), it does weigh 30+lbs, and ws much heavier (by
feel) than the stock battery that came in my Z.

I paid $118 at Autozone for the optima - and I went with the higher CCA version - so far so good!

best regards -

mqqn

kenrobb

My AGM battery lasted 37 months on my 03. Not worth GM warrenty replacement try I my opinion; I just went to Walmart and got their top battery. $67 in the car.

pcfred

My Delco went south this morning, was going to get a Costco Kirkland (used them in the past), but on the advice of member MyVette Dreams and others I went with the Optima Red top from costco ($104), it's a beast with tons of power.

edensknight

Ya done good.

SLPRC5

01QuickSilver

My 01 still has the original battery, with no sign of a problem or leak.

The original battery in my 97 pickup lasted until last winter.

How do you people wear out batteries so fast??

Allzwell

Some of us don't wait for them to leak!

You're correct they can last a long time, but is it worth the clean up when they let go?

vette020

Installed the Optima Redtop last week. Original battery - 5 yrs, 5 months. And a dumb question. Since the car will not be driven much this winter, if at all, can I use the Battery Tender Plus to keep it charged? Don't want to ruin a $104 battery due to my being stupid. Comments??

Vetteman Jack

As far as I know, the Optima is still a very good battery. Have had mine for four years and still going strong.

Dave68

His 01 (like my 01) has an AC Delco AGM battery that is leak and vibrationproof.

patrickboyle

I hate to rain on parades but, my 2003 coupe factory AGM battery Bulged (and looked like a leaker) & gave up the ghost in 2 years...I did use the battery tender in winter storage. As soon as I saw it bulge I replaced it with the Optima red-top. GM even bought the battery as the dealer agreed it was junk.

Goonie

looks like i got an interstate battery in my y2k... theres red grease like looking material underneat the red connection, is that a leak or just some grease?

mqqn

Hi Goonie -

Probably just dielectric grease - you are supposed to put that on the terminals to preven corrosion.

best regards -

mqqn

mqqn

Hi 01QuickSilver -

Actually, most of the problem is that a lot of Corvettes sit a lot of the time.

Also, normal cars and non-z06 Corvettes all have wet cell batteries ( I say all - but you can bet most of them).

The AGM or glass mat battery in the Z06 was used to lighten the car, not to provide the best battery you could buy.

I tend to my batteries with great care, and even then my Z06 battery died in what I would call a premature fashion.

I expect the replacement to last much longer - and FWIW the battery in in my 2000 K3500 is original, the one in my Lumina lasted over 100k miles and 6 years , and the one in my 89 Firebird lasted 7 years.

Of course all of those batteries were the "old fashioned" lead-acid wet cell type.

best regards -

mqqn

GrayC5

The condition you describe is not unique to the factory AC-Delco AGM batteries. It can happen to any lead acid battery to include the AGMs. AGMs are lead acid batteries too. The Optima Red Top and Yellow Top and now the Exide Select Orbital® and Exide Select Orbital® XCD batteries are AGM batteries and it can happen to them too.

The difference between the AGMs and conventional lead acid batteries is that in the AGMs the liquid acid electrolyte is absorbed in the glass mat making them less likely to leak. However, should the case of an AGM battery crack, it can sometimes leak a little from the acid that seeps from the glass mats.