Red Top battery
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
From: Near Philly PA
I'd get one at an actual store (as opposed to online) where you can have the battery TESTED right then and there. I got a Red Top online last year, and it lasted 4 weeks before crapping out. It had a damaged cell (on the bottom of the battery) that I didn't see before installing. The company finally made good on it, but they tried to say that I must have damaged it... Long story short, a LOT of Red Tops seemed to not be holding charges for people, at least a year or so ago. It appeared to be an epidemic of sorts. I'm not sure if it was a bad run, an issue of most of these having sat on shelves too long, QC issues, or what -- but best that you get it tested right then and there.
-Kirk
-Kirk
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
COSTCO!
they BAR NONE have the BEST return policy!
not to mention the batteries already have a 3 year FREE replacement - but costco will give you absolutely NO hassle
heck, even if you don't have a membership - it still might be in your best interest to get one!
they BAR NONE have the BEST return policy!
not to mention the batteries already have a 3 year FREE replacement - but costco will give you absolutely NO hassle
heck, even if you don't have a membership - it still might be in your best interest to get one!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 0
From: NH
Originally Posted by KMeloney
I'd get one at an actual store (as opposed to online) where you can have the battery TESTED right then and there. I got a Red Top online last year, and it lasted 4 weeks before crapping out. It had a damaged cell (on the bottom of the battery) that I didn't see before installing. The company finally made good on it, but they tried to say that I must have damaged it... Long story short, a LOT of Red Tops seemed to not be holding charges for people, at least a year or so ago. It appeared to be an epidemic of sorts. I'm not sure if it was a bad run, an issue of most of these having sat on shelves too long, QC issues, or what -- but best that you get it tested right then and there.
-Kirk
-Kirk
Not much difference in price anyway.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,960
Likes: 0
From: Issaquah Wa.
Originally Posted by Togo
COSTCO!
they BAR NONE have the BEST return policy!
not to mention the batteries already have a 3 year FREE replacement - but costco will give you absolutely NO hassle
heck, even if you don't have a membership - it still might be in your best interest to get one!
they BAR NONE have the BEST return policy!
not to mention the batteries already have a 3 year FREE replacement - but costco will give you absolutely NO hassle
heck, even if you don't have a membership - it still might be in your best interest to get one!
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 317
Likes: 2
From: Southern Mexifornia CA
Pep Boys. I bought one on-line a couple years ago and I will never do that again! It crapped out and the vendor on this forum would not honor the warranty so I had to trash it. I have 4 now from Pep Boys in my cars. I have to take one back on Saturday and they exchanged it with no hassle.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
FYI, there are two different verions of the "Red Top" from Optima. One is the 35/75 and the other is the 34/78. That may also be a reason you might see some variation on pricing. Depends on which one different folks bought.
I definitely would recommend the 34/78 as it has the highest Cold Cranking Amp rating of the two (800CCA). Regardles of where you shop, the 34/78 will be the higher priced of the two versions.
I've had mine for approx. 2yrs now with no issues at all. HTH
I definitely would recommend the 34/78 as it has the highest Cold Cranking Amp rating of the two (800CCA). Regardles of where you shop, the 34/78 will be the higher priced of the two versions.
I've had mine for approx. 2yrs now with no issues at all. HTH
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have one in the Vette and the Camaro. Both have been great so far after my ACDelco disasters.
Got them from Costco at about $100.
Got them from Costco at about $100.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Check out and consider the Exide Orbital...at SAM's Club for 95 bucks labeled as the NASCAR XLT...DT35.
Appears better made than Optima, also has 3 year free replacement and total of 9 year warranty with prorating.
Don't need a securing adaptor for the Vette. Also has nice built in recessed carry handles for easy in an out of that tight space.
Appears better made than Optima, also has 3 year free replacement and total of 9 year warranty with prorating.
Don't need a securing adaptor for the Vette. Also has nice built in recessed carry handles for easy in an out of that tight space.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 0
From: Burbs Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
FYI, there are two different verions of the "Red Top" from Optima. One is the 35/75 and the other is the 34/78. That may also be a reason you might see some variation on pricing. Depends on which one different folks bought.
I definitely would recommend the 34/78 as it has the highest Cold Cranking Amp rating of the two (800CCA). Regardles of where you shop, the 34/78 will be the higher priced of the two versions.
I've had mine for approx. 2yrs now with no issues at all. HTH
I definitely would recommend the 34/78 as it has the highest Cold Cranking Amp rating of the two (800CCA). Regardles of where you shop, the 34/78 will be the higher priced of the two versions.
I've had mine for approx. 2yrs now with no issues at all. HTH
I was just going to start a thread about this today, but when I opened up 'Corvette Forum'->'General', this was the first topic. Weird, huh?
Off to buy my Red Top!
Last edited by gbjork50; Jan 18, 2006 at 11:54 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 242
Likes: 1
From: Boulder, CO
Originally Posted by Togo
COSTCO!
they BAR NONE have the BEST return policy!
not to mention the batteries already have a 3 year FREE replacement - but costco will give you absolutely NO hassle
heck, even if you don't have a membership - it still might be in your best interest to get one!
they BAR NONE have the BEST return policy!
not to mention the batteries already have a 3 year FREE replacement - but costco will give you absolutely NO hassle
heck, even if you don't have a membership - it still might be in your best interest to get one!