New battery today
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
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From: Saint Louis MO
New battery today
Well, I forgot to hook up my trickle charger this winter. Duh........needless to say it didn't take a charge. Sams Club used to sell the Excide Orbital battery, but they just changed over to Optima. Crap, so I had to track one down at NAPA auto parts. 148.00 + tax and now she's running again. David 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 567
From: Conroe Texas
why did you select the orbital? i'm in need a battery for one of the other cars, so i figured i'd pull the battery out of the 03 and either put in an orbital or an odyssey. i looked at the napa website and they didn't show an orbital there, are they an inhouse item only?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
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From: Saint Louis MO
Yes they are, you won't find them on the web. I bought it after reading all of the problems with the red top. Kinda hit or miss. I don't want a battery that I have to worry about, we take our vetts on road trips several times a year. I don't want to get stuck. I have never read anything bad about the Orbital battery.
Our 04' CE has a top mount battery from the factory, I guess there was a reason for it? David
Our 04' CE has a top mount battery from the factory, I guess there was a reason for it? David
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
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From: Wellsboro Pa
I just bought a Delco Professional 6 year battery for $87. I researched the Excide Orbital and called the branch office to see who sells them. I spoke with 3 people and none of them had a clue about the battery's specs. I figured - if these people can't answer my questions, do I really want to buy one? I thought NOT. Just my .02 worth.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 567
From: Conroe Texas
Yes they are, you won't find them on the web. I bought it after reading all of the problems with the red top. Kinda hit or miss. I don't want a battery that I have to worry about, we take our vetts on road trips several times a year. I don't want to get stuck. I have never read anything bad about the Orbital battery.
Our 04' CE has a top mount battery from the factory, I guess there was a reason for it? David
Our 04' CE has a top mount battery from the factory, I guess there was a reason for it? David
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
Part# 9934/78 Kinda sounds like the battery size, but that's whats on the ticket. NTB also sells them but they wanted 178.00. I did buy the larger group size.. David
Here is the link. http://www.exide.com/products/automo...t_orbital.html
Here is the link. http://www.exide.com/products/automo...t_orbital.html
Last edited by tellefan; Mar 11, 2007 at 11:03 PM. Reason: added link
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
I just bought a Delco Professional 6 year battery for $87. I researched the Excide Orbital and called the branch office to see who sells them. I spoke with 3 people and none of them had a clue about the battery's specs. I figured - if these people can't answer my questions, do I really want to buy one? I thought NOT. Just my .02 worth.
Wow that is a great price. Is that for a AGM battery? if so I'll look into it for our 04'CE David
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Waldorf MD
I have had an Exide Orbital for several years now. It is a great battery and is an AGM battery, so no leakage. It has top and side terminals. I bought it from Sam's Club. I have the smaller size.
BTW, GM put in AGM batteries, but had reliability problems with them, so they went to a top terminal battery. The side terminal batteries usually leak around the side terminals. Over torquing the side terminals can cause them to leak. If you have a top terminal battery, you should be okay.
As everyone should know, the computer in a C5 is located under the battery. IF you have a side terminal battery, invest in an AGM battery.
BTW, GM put in AGM batteries, but had reliability problems with them, so they went to a top terminal battery. The side terminal batteries usually leak around the side terminals. Over torquing the side terminals can cause them to leak. If you have a top terminal battery, you should be okay.
As everyone should know, the computer in a C5 is located under the battery. IF you have a side terminal battery, invest in an AGM battery.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 645
Likes: 12
From: Hermosa Beach CA
I just bought a Delco Professional 6 year battery for $87. I researched the Excide Orbital and called the branch office to see who sells them. I spoke with 3 people and none of them had a clue about the battery's specs. I figured - if these people can't answer my questions, do I really want to buy one? I thought NOT. Just my .02 worth.
You bought a lead-acid battery, a battery that could potentially leak onto your PCM because you were too lazy to look up the specs on an Exide Orbital? You called a branch office... meaning, you went to their site and looked up the numbers for their distribution centers? If you wanted answers, why didn't you just contact Exide directly? That's like calling Costco and asking what the CCA is on an Optima Red Top.
And yes, you can buy the Orbital online. I just got mine through Remybattery.com. $135 shipped and was here within 3 days.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 645
Likes: 12
From: Hermosa Beach CA
why did you select the orbital? i'm in need a battery for one of the other cars, so i figured i'd pull the battery out of the 03 and either put in an orbital or an odyssey. i looked at the napa website and they didn't show an orbital there, are they an inhouse item only?
Exide Orbital is AGM. Has an 84 month warranty. Nothing but praise from people that already have them. 770 CCA @ 0 degrees. Only 38 LBS. Has top and side terminals. Will NEVER leak. Fits perfectly.
I bought the ORB78DT-84.
Napa has the smaller ORB75DT-84... not the 78.
Last edited by Architect; Mar 12, 2007 at 12:07 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
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From: Saint Louis MO
Not to argue but........ the one I bought is the larger 78 size. You can also hunt them down on Ebay, the 78 size is 119.00 plus 20.00 shipped to my door UPS. I spent the extra seven dollars and sales tax so, that if there would be a problem I could return it to the place of purchase.
I also found out that Optima sells their battery's on the web with free shipping cheaper than I could purchase one in town.
The internet is a great place to get information, I love it, my wife hates it. She claims I spend toooo much time on here.
I also found out that Optima sells their battery's on the web with free shipping cheaper than I could purchase one in town.
The internet is a great place to get information, I love it, my wife hates it. She claims I spend toooo much time on here.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
You bought a lead-acid battery, a battery that could potentially leak onto your PCM because you were too lazy to look up the specs on an Exide Orbital? You called a branch office... meaning, you went to their site and looked up the numbers for their distribution centers? If you wanted answers, why didn't you just contact Exide directly? That's like calling Costco and asking what the CCA is on an Optima Red Top.
And yes, you can buy the Orbital online. I just got mine through Remybattery.com. $135 shipped and was here within 3 days.
And yes, you can buy the Orbital online. I just got mine through Remybattery.com. $135 shipped and was here within 3 days.
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: Council Bluffs Iowa-2152
Cruise-In II Veteran
You bought a lead-acid battery, a battery that could potentially leak onto your PCM because you were too lazy to look up the specs on an Exide Orbital? You called a branch office... meaning, you went to their site and looked up the numbers for their distribution centers? If you wanted answers, why didn't you just contact Exide directly? That's like calling Costco and asking what the CCA is on an Optima Red Top.
And yes, you can buy the Orbital online. I just got mine through Remybattery.com. $135 shipped and was here within 3 days.
And yes, you can buy the Orbital online. I just got mine through Remybattery.com. $135 shipped and was here within 3 days.
I just ordered an Exide Orbital ORB78DT-84 $117.82 + $20.20 shipping.
Thanks!
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 567
From: Conroe Texas
Exide Orbital is AGM. Has an 84 month warranty. Nothing but praise from people that already have them. 770 CCA @ 0 degrees. Only 38 LBS. Has top and side terminals. Will NEVER leak. Fits perfectly.
I bought the ORB78DT-84.
Napa has the smaller ORB75DT-84... not the 78.
I bought the ORB78DT-84.
Napa has the smaller ORB75DT-84... not the 78.
i had to go up to conroe for jury duty this morning and on the way back i stopped at the napa dealer. they had the orbital 84 months, 950 cranking amps for 154.00 w/5.00 core, manufactured last month. i have to go back tomorrow afternoon so i may throw the old battery in the trunk.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 132
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Well, I forgot to hook up my trickle charger this winter. Duh........needless to say it didn't take a charge. Sams Club used to sell the Excide Orbital battery, but they just changed over to Optima. Crap, so I had to track one down at NAPA auto parts. 148.00 + tax and now she's running again. David
, only I had bought the Excide Orbital last July. It would not take a full charge, but came up to 13 volts. Started right up & went for a drive and in about 20-30 minutes we start smelling acid. Popped the hood & it is "smoking" out the top of the battery (small white rectangle insert). Closed the hood and headed to the house (3 miles), drove right to water hose, when in & got the camera first, and then started flushing the battery, hood, etc. with water. Took the battery out, more pics, splashed the battery compartment with soda water, and lots of water again. Doesn't seem to be a problem yet. The battery depot dealer said it couldn't leak, and I showed him the pics. He called the rep. & he had not heard of this happening either. Anyway, he has a new battery on order for me, as he "just sold the last one". Should be here Wed. Hope there isn't any lasting damage.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 645
Likes: 12
From: Hermosa Beach CA
I did the same thing , only I had bought the Excide Orbital last July. It would not take a full charge, but came up to 13 volts. Started right up & went for a drive and in about 20-30 minutes we start smelling acid. Popped the hood & it is "smoking" out the top of the battery (small white rectangle insert). Closed the hood and headed to the house (3 miles), drove right to water hose, when in & got the camera first, and then started flushing the battery, hood, etc. with water. Took the battery out, more pics, splashed the battery compartment with soda water, and lots of water again. Doesn't seem to be a problem yet. The battery depot dealer said it couldn't leak, and I showed him the pics. He called the rep. & he had not heard of this happening either. Anyway, he has a new battery on order for me, as he "just sold the last one". Should be here Wed. Hope there isn't any lasting damage.
, only I had bought the Excide Orbital last July. It would not take a full charge, but came up to 13 volts. Started right up & went for a drive and in about 20-30 minutes we start smelling acid. Popped the hood & it is "smoking" out the top of the battery (small white rectangle insert). Closed the hood and headed to the house (3 miles), drove right to water hose, when in & got the camera first, and then started flushing the battery, hood, etc. with water. Took the battery out, more pics, splashed the battery compartment with soda water, and lots of water again. Doesn't seem to be a problem yet. The battery depot dealer said it couldn't leak, and I showed him the pics. He called the rep. & he had not heard of this happening either. Anyway, he has a new battery on order for me, as he "just sold the last one". Should be here Wed. Hope there isn't any lasting damage.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
You bought a lead-acid battery, a battery that could potentially leak onto your PCM because you were too lazy to look up the specs on an Exide Orbital? You called a branch office... meaning, you went to their site and looked up the numbers for their distribution centers? If you wanted answers, why didn't you just contact Exide directly? That's like calling Costco and asking what the CCA is on an Optima Red Top.
And yes, you can buy the Orbital online. I just got mine through Remybattery.com. $135 shipped and was here within 3 days.
And yes, you can buy the Orbital online. I just got mine through Remybattery.com. $135 shipped and was here within 3 days.
For <$90, the AC Delco Professional batteries represent a very good value, especially when you compare them to the astronomically priced AGMs that are out there.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 645
Likes: 12
From: Hermosa Beach CA
When you said "technical advisor", the first thing that came to mind was the "technical advisor" for the show, PINKS... that Nathan Pritchett guy. Everything he says, I only hear one word come out of his mouth... "duhhhhhhh."
Not that there aren't idiots in every trade... I'm getting off point here. Maybe they have stepped up their casing. I don't know for sure, unless you tear down an old and new battery for comparison. I'm going by history. Every Delco battery I've owned has swollen, at least half of them have cracked and leaked acid. I would've been supremely pi$$ed if it happened in the vette.
I'm not sure how $90 for a Delco is acceptable but $117 for the AGM Orbital is "astronomical."
Not that there aren't idiots in every trade... I'm getting off point here. Maybe they have stepped up their casing. I don't know for sure, unless you tear down an old and new battery for comparison. I'm going by history. Every Delco battery I've owned has swollen, at least half of them have cracked and leaked acid. I would've been supremely pi$$ed if it happened in the vette.
I'm not sure how $90 for a Delco is acceptable but $117 for the AGM Orbital is "astronomical."