gell battery
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Instructor
Joined: May 2006
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From: Easton PA
gell battery
i have a 1998corvette with the original led acid batteryand understand the computer is under it and if it leaks bye bye computer.where do i get a true gel type battery and what is reccomended??:
Melting Slicks
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From: Montreal ** Enjoy the ride !!
I have a Optima Red Top,, That was recommended for my car. It's 100% leak proof and is gauranteed for 10 years full replacement after 3 yrs. I know that there are many folks on this site that absolutly hate them. But touch wood I have not had any problems with it. After I bought and installed it I took it to my GM dealer (who has 2 bays just for Vettes )and had him test it. He said it was 100% perfect. He himself purchased a Red top for his car and said he would trust nothing else. You can talk to a hundred people everyone has their own opinion. There are certainly plenty to choose from. That's my 2 cents...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: FLORIDA
Originally Posted by silverbullit99
I have a Optima Red Top,, That was recommended for my car. It's 100% leak proof and is gauranteed for 10 years full replacement after 3 yrs. I know that there are many folks on this site that absolutly hate them. But touch wood I have not had any problems with it. After I bought and installed it I took it to my GM dealer (who has 2 bays just for Vettes )and had him test it. He said it was 100% perfect. He himself purchased a Red top for his car and said he would trust nothing else. You can talk to a hundred people everyone has their own opinion. There are certainly plenty to choose from. That's my 2 cents...
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by silverbullit99
I have a Optima Red Top,, That was recommended for my car. It's 100% leak proof and is gauranteed for 10 years full replacement after 3 yrs...(snip)...
I often see the Optima Red Top and Yellow Top and now the Exide Select Orbital® and Exide Select Orbital® XCD batteries referred to here on the Forum as gel cell batteries. However, according to their respective web sites they are all Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries and there is a difference:
"All you ever wanted to know about AGM and Gel Cell batteries"
As the liquid acid electrolyte is absorbed in the glass mat, AGM batteries are much less likely to leak. However, should the battery case crack, they can sometimes leak a little from the acid that seeps from the glass mats.
Also if you go to the Optima web site, I think you will find that the Red Top in 12V Passenger Vehicle/Light Truck (noncommercial) applications is warranted for 36 months free replacement with a remaining 36 months prorated, not 10 years as you stated. The Yellow Top warranty, depending on application, is for considerably less time.
Last edited by GrayC5; Jun 12, 2006 at 11:12 PM.
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After reading all the horror stories here I decided to replace my OEM battery in my '98. It was getting weak anyway. Bought the Red Top at Costco for $92 +Tax. Battery store wanted $135 + tax.Happy as a pig in a poke.
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From: Mustang OK
thewiz,
I'm not familiar enough with any of the automotive "true" gel type batteries to make a recommendation. Too, the gel batteries can be quite a bit more expensive. For replacement batteries, many of the folks here on the Forum go with one of the Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries instead. Here are a few links that talk about some of these AGM batteries should you think you might be interested in one of these as an alternative:
Wrong Delco Battery?
What is wrong with my new Optima battery???
…and if you have a Sam' Club nearby, you just find a real bargain in an AGM battery, although I'm not sure that all the Sam's Clubs will have them at this price:
Just bought Exide Orbital XLT 34 for $40.64 @ Sam's
HTH
I'm not familiar enough with any of the automotive "true" gel type batteries to make a recommendation. Too, the gel batteries can be quite a bit more expensive. For replacement batteries, many of the folks here on the Forum go with one of the Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries instead. Here are a few links that talk about some of these AGM batteries should you think you might be interested in one of these as an alternative:
Wrong Delco Battery?
What is wrong with my new Optima battery???
…and if you have a Sam' Club nearby, you just find a real bargain in an AGM battery, although I'm not sure that all the Sam's Clubs will have them at this price:
Just bought Exide Orbital XLT 34 for $40.64 @ Sam's
HTH
Last edited by GrayC5; Jun 12, 2006 at 11:03 PM.
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From: San Diego CA
You might want to read this before you decide:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1360064
Whenever my original AC Delco AGM dies, I'd like to try the EXide Orbital - beefier case than the Optima and from recent reports I've read, is very reliable.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1360064
Whenever my original AC Delco AGM dies, I'd like to try the EXide Orbital - beefier case than the Optima and from recent reports I've read, is very reliable.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Montreal ** Enjoy the ride !!
Originally Posted by GrayC5
Except that the Optima is not a gel type battery. The poster asked about a "true gel type battery."
I often see the Optima Red Top and Yellow Top and now the Exide Select Orbital® and Exide Select Orbital® XCD batteries referred to here on the Forum as gel cell batteries. However, according to their respective web sites they are all Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries and there is a difference:
"All you ever wanted to know about AGM and Gel Cell batteries"
As the liquid acid electrolyte is absorbed in the glass mat, AGM batteries are much less likely to leak. However, should the battery case crack, they can sometimes leak a little from the acid that seeps from the glass mats.
Also if you go to the Optima web site, I think you will find that the Red Top in 12V Passenger Vehicle/Light Truck (noncommercial) applications is warranted for 36 months free replacement with a remaining 36 months prorated, not 10 years as you stated. The Yellow Top warranty, depending on application, is for considerably less time.
I often see the Optima Red Top and Yellow Top and now the Exide Select Orbital® and Exide Select Orbital® XCD batteries referred to here on the Forum as gel cell batteries. However, according to their respective web sites they are all Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries and there is a difference:
"All you ever wanted to know about AGM and Gel Cell batteries"
As the liquid acid electrolyte is absorbed in the glass mat, AGM batteries are much less likely to leak. However, should the battery case crack, they can sometimes leak a little from the acid that seeps from the glass mats.
Also if you go to the Optima web site, I think you will find that the Red Top in 12V Passenger Vehicle/Light Truck (noncommercial) applications is warranted for 36 months free replacement with a remaining 36 months prorated, not 10 years as you stated. The Yellow Top warranty, depending on application, is for considerably less time.
I don't know about the warranty in the US,, but in Montreal ( Can. ) I picked up the Red Top at Walmart,, for $150. And it has a 3yr replacement and a total of 10 year coverage. Guess the warranty varies depending the city you live in.. But none the less,, I think it should be a good battery,,
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Some have reported problems with their Red Tops (especially recent purchases), but I've had mine for 4.5 years and not one problem. I'd replace it again with another Red Top.
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Some have reported problems with their Red Tops (especially recent purchases), but I've had mine for 4.5 years and not one problem. I'd replace it again with another Red Top.
I have a yellow top (2 years now) and no issues...Besides, if you have 100K (Lets say Hondas) on the road.... you can't be surprised when you go into a auto shop and see a few being worked on...
