Got a C5 last week: Bowling Green 2001 coupe with oak interior-way cool. Haven't been able to drive it much, but you all know what it's like. ;-) Couple of pics from the dealer below.

I have been seeing lots of questions lately about batteries and I have one too. The dealer told me he didn't think the car had the original battery. It is a Delco AGM. I have seen comments that the Optima is superior because it is AGM and less likely to leak. Can the same be said of the Delco AGM? Am I safe staying with this battery? On a related note, MidAmerica has a pad to put on the battery tray that they advertise as protecting against leaks. Has anyone had any experience witht that product?

Thanks for your help. I've been enjoying reading these posts and I've sure learned a lot.

 

Does your battery have top or side mounted connectors?
Some call them posts, but they are really metal ( lead alloy) screw in connectors,
The sice mounted connectors are insert molded into the battery wall and under some conditions may become loose and leak.
Those conditions are things like overtightening, excessive vibration, hard stops on a loose battery ( battery shifts straining cable) accidents that cause the battery to shift, etc.

Any side mounted connectors can leak (including Optima Redtop and Exide Orbital), the OEM seems to be more prone to it.
the problem is all the elctonics mounted below the battery.

So if you have a top mount don't sweat it. If you have a side mount do some research before you decide to buy.

 

First, congrats on your new purchase - I have a 2001 Bowling Green 'vert with oak interior - almost twins.

From my reading, the original batteries prone to leak were "75-7yr" . Sometime in 2001, GM switched to an AGM battery labelled 75p-7yr. Mine was the original, 75-7yr. I bought an Optima red-top that day & never looked back.

 

There is a date code stamped on the battery top, which you could use to determine if the battery is original or replacement (although if AGM it was the correct replacement at least).

The AC/Delco code format is:
1st numeric digit = year
2nd letter = month (I believe skipping the letter ' i ')

For example the battery I just replaced in our 2000 was original and had a code = 9MK (1999, December). It was a 78H-6YR.

Thankfully it was NOT one of the problematic ones (possibly also due to PO taking good care of it with a 'battery tender', but at 6 years old, just didn't want to take chance for only $100 (the new one did improve the engine cranking/starting speed though, so the old one was due).

BTW, there's a chance BarryNK may have mis-quoted the battery series size (75's were typical for C4's, 78's for C5's).

Regarding the 'battery mat', I put 1/2 of one under the new battery in our C5 and a piece in the recess hole in the middle, that's all that would fit. The rearward 'lip' tolerance is so tight, it would not allow the 'battery mat' to fit underneath the whole battery, so only was able to fit it forward from the center hole to the forward lip and a seperate piece in the center hole. I figured this was at least in the area that any leakage from the posts would be caught and the acid strength reduced.

BTW, went with a ACDelco 78-7YR, still side post, cause the 'maintenance free' batteries have a different & better chemical composition than typical batteries -- e.g. exides from BJ's --, because the Alternator/Regulator is suposedly better matched to a 'maintenance free' battery's idea charge curve, and because of the reports of Red-Tops failing/cracking and the ACDelco AGM's failing with no warning).

 

Interesting. The battery I replaced in my 2001 C5 was a 75-7YR, although it may not have been the original. Anyone else have a 75-7YR in their C5 ?

 

Beautiful car you bought - really like the BG color.

 

Careful with the Optima. Mixed reviews on here. For $40 more than a normal AC/Delco or Bosch, I'm not going to take my chances on the Optima....

 

Congrats on the new buy. Just love that color.

I would say if in doubt just replace it. The AC Delco batteries have killed a number of cars. I had a leaker on the Camaro Just not worth the risk for $100.

The Optima Red Top has always had good reviews here. I've got them fitted to the Vert and the Camaro and I've been very happpy with them.

There have been one or 2 problems recently though.

 

Ok, Im a little confused here. My 01 looks EXACTLY like JMH's and dont know what to do. Halfway says the Optima has mixed reviews and DeGee says its always had good reviews.

What's the best reasonably priced battery on the market that's not going to leak and damage our cars?

Thanks

Dave

 

Barrynk,

I was wrong -- 75 series batteries were also used in C5's (I was mislead by our 2000 and now realize I mis-understood something the parts guy said, sorry about that).

Interestly, for all but the 2004, the ACDelco website calls for either the 75 or 78 series batteries for all the other years of the C5.

Assuming your battery tray is at least 10.2 inches wide (which the ACDelco Website implies is the case for all but the 2004 C5's), then either will work (the 75 series is 9.3 inches wide versus the 78 series is 10.2 inches wide, with all the other dimensions being the same).

Our 2000 came with an OEM 78H-6YR (h = handle, CCA=675, 38.1 lbs), hence why I choose a 78-7YR (CCA=770, 40.5 lbs).

If you can fit a 78 series battery, and don't mind the slightly added weight, you may gain both 'Reserve Capacity' and 'Cold Cranking Amps' (CCA), both helpful for being able to start your car the time you forget to hook-up the 'Battery Tender'.

For example, per a recent ACDelco Battery Specification Chart:

75-6YR = 90 Reserve; 650 CCA's; 33.4 lbs
78-6YR = 110 Reserve; 675 CCA's; 38.1 lbs

75-7YR = 100 Reserve; 735 CCA's; 35.2 lbs
78-7YR = 120 Reserve; 770 CCA's; 40.5 lbs

 

Beautiful green Vette! Welcome.

 

 

Don't think one exists (reasonably priced & not going to leak).

Whereas Barrynk mentioned ACDelco 78-7yr's as being the leakers, I thought I had read it was a slightly different model -- 78-60's or 78-72's (60/72 = months), and we had one in our 2000 TransAm that started to leak IMMEDIATLY after removal/replacment in spring 2005 when it died.

I had read lots and lots about all the different batteries here on the forum before deciding to just go for the 7 year ACDelco.

So I can only tell you why I choose another ACDELCO. Here goes:

1. Whereas the ACDelco we pulled from our 2000 TransAm did leak, the newer ones had a different model number, suggesting changes in the design to address the problem (remember the Audi 5000 'auto drive' cars, that model series stopped pretty quickly).

2. maintenance free batteries have a slightly different chemistry, which have less self-discharge and are less prone to gassing and leakage.

3. Typical off-the shelf (e.g. BJ's) batteries are not 'maintenance free'.

4. Red Top's are more $'s and have leaked/cracked too.

5. Exide emerged from chapter 11 in 2003-4

6. Sear Die-Hard was in the running, but the nearest Sears is 45 minutes away (versus my dealer and parts place are only 5-10).

7. looked at converting to a top-post, but the cables were not long enough and height clearance (series 24) might have been an issue.

8. Plan on not letting the battery die (chargers or Battery Tender).

9. Plan on just replacing it every 4 years no matter what.

10. Russian Roulette, craps, black-jack -- it's all about the odds, I only had one ACdelco battery leak, the other 2 in both vettes did not. So since the leaker was 6 years old, and one of the older model 78-72's, in the end it was just too much analysis/paralisis for me, so I went with what hadn't leaked in either vette (YR's) and upgraded its capacity.

 

Welcome

 

Just beautiful. Congratulations to you.

 

What a great color combo!! On subject, the Optima is NOT a gell battery... it is spiral wound technology.

 

hello everyone i am new to the forum, so please excuse me if i screw this up. i looking for something i saw at a car show and would like to know if anyone has info about it. it is an illimination system for the front hood, back and side corvette emblems. it works when the headlights are engaged. it is a little difficult to describe, but if someone has seen this custom work they will know what i'm talking about. thanks

 

Welcome ms.vette!! A few suggestions from the Irish .... Fill in some basic info in your profile (comes in helpful when you have questions etc. if a first name, year of your vette etc. are filled in) You've got a different topic here with your post and should start a new thread for the results you're looking for to your inquiry...... again, WELCOME!!

 

Very good and clean looking Vette and I have had an Optima Red Top in my coupe for 2 yrs and no issues and starts all the time and it is not a daily driver

 

Hello and welcome