Replacement Battery
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
Likes: 15
From: Wellsboro Pa
If the original lasted 7 long years why wouldn't you replace it with the same battery????????????
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 6
From: Louisville Kentucky
I bought a yellow top and it died within 2 years, but it could have been because I left something plugged into the cigarette lighter all the time. Auto Zone gave me a new one after they tried the charge thing. One thing I don't remember though and that's the $150 price tag. I've got a red top in my Mean O' Camino and it always starts. I think I paid around $70 bucks for both (each).
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Looks like you had most of the advice
I've had Red Tops and a Yellow Top for years now. I did kill one Red Top but it did sit on a boat with the Vert draining the life out of it for 2 months.
A coule of things I would say:
Red Tops wont leak
Old AC Delcos certainly do leak
If you look after a Red Top (battery tender) it'll give you years of life.
Take a look at this poll and make you own mind up
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
Of the sample so far
Red Top shows about 18% failure rate and AC Delco about 41%
I've had Red Tops and a Yellow Top for years now. I did kill one Red Top but it did sit on a boat with the Vert draining the life out of it for 2 months.
A coule of things I would say:
Red Tops wont leak
Old AC Delcos certainly do leak
If you look after a Red Top (battery tender) it'll give you years of life.
Take a look at this poll and make you own mind up
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
Of the sample so far
Red Top shows about 18% failure rate and AC Delco about 41%
Last edited by DeeGee; Aug 11, 2007 at 03:31 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
I had to put a wally world in mine a while back and want to change it before it has problems,At Autozone the have the red top for$130.00 and the Yellow for $180.00.Now I see PeterPan says he will get the yellow next time, I was about to pick up the red but now Iam not sure?????
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 8
From: Centre, AL
I had to put a wally world in mine a while back and want to change it before it has problems,At Autozone the have the red top for$130.00 and the Yellow for $180.00.Now I see PeterPan says he will get the yellow next time, I was about to pick up the red but now Iam not sure?????
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Looks like you had most of the advice
I've had Red Tops and a Yellow Top for years now. I did kill one Red Top but it did sit on a boat with the Vert draining the life out of it for 2 months.
A coule of things I would say:
Red Tops wont leak
Old AC Delcos certainly do leak
If you look after a Red Top (battery tender) it'll give you years of life.
Take a look at this poll and make you own mind up
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
Of the sample so far
Red Top shows about 18% failure rate and AC Delco about 41%
I've had Red Tops and a Yellow Top for years now. I did kill one Red Top but it did sit on a boat with the Vert draining the life out of it for 2 months.
A coule of things I would say:
Red Tops wont leak
Old AC Delcos certainly do leak
If you look after a Red Top (battery tender) it'll give you years of life.
Take a look at this poll and make you own mind up
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
Of the sample so far
Red Top shows about 18% failure rate and AC Delco about 41%
Keep in mind that AC Delco batteries made within the past 3 years are of a new design. Special attention was paid to strengthening the terminal post areas and the overall case structure is much stronger than the 97-00 design.
This is why you really can't use the poll as a guide to which battery you should choose. The AC Delco Professional batteries, while not AGP (which is prone to premature death if not kept well-charged), carry a 50 month free-replacement warranty - best in the battery industry. I know I keep repeating this, but I ust want to spread the word that the newer AC Delco batteries are nothing like the old lead-acids that had leaked in 97-00.
Last edited by Dave68; Aug 11, 2007 at 03:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1
From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
The original poll was interesting but flawed in the asking of the questions. The question should have been for example:
My Delco failed while under warranty
My Red Top failed under warranty
and so forth.
My original Delco failed after 3 years of hot desert temperature in New Mexico and one winter in Colorado Springs.
The real question is what battery doesn't fail while still under warranty. You spend the $$$$'s so you won't be stranded.
My Delco failed while under warranty
My Red Top failed under warranty
and so forth.
My original Delco failed after 3 years of hot desert temperature in New Mexico and one winter in Colorado Springs.
The real question is what battery doesn't fail while still under warranty. You spend the $$$$'s so you won't be stranded.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 3
From: Longmont CO
Which, to me, is another way of Delco saying they don't really expect the battery to consistently last much longer than 18-24 months.
On the plus side, the stealership parts guy did say that any Chevy dealer would honor the warranty w/ the original receipt.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 18
From: Olathe, Kansas
Well it wasn't two years, because on 10-16-2007, my Exide Orbital failed, which was EXACTLY two years to the day after installing it! I did received a free replacement, but this time I will use a float charger to maintain a full charge. That's what I didn't do the first time!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Exide Orbital (sold at NAPA) is an AGM Battery. I strongly recommend an AGM Battery. I have had a DELCO and an Energizer leak in other cars. Side terminal batteries often leak if overtorqued (use only 11 ft-lbs). Sometimes they just leak. GM tried AGM battery but had a lot of problems (quality). They went to a top terminal battery (less likely to leak) in 2004 for C5s.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 6
From: Arroyo Grande CA
Not sure if the info I just got from my local Chevy dealer is accurate or not, but I was just told over the phone that the warranty on a Delco battery is a free replacement for "18-24 months," whatever the heck that means, and that after that, it's pro-rated.
Which, to me, is another way of Delco saying they don't really expect the battery to consistently last much longer than 18-24 months.
On the plus side, the stealership parts guy did say that any Chevy dealer would honor the warranty w/ the original receipt.
Which, to me, is another way of Delco saying they don't really expect the battery to consistently last much longer than 18-24 months.
On the plus side, the stealership parts guy did say that any Chevy dealer would honor the warranty w/ the original receipt.
Professional Battery
The 7-Year model has the best free-replacement period (50 months) in the industry under our limited warranty
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
It would seem to me that replacing a battery with a new AC Delco would make sense if for no other reason than if you have GMPP extended warranty and the battery fails and causes damage to any of the cars components, all repairs would be covered under the extended warranty. I wonder if an aftermarket battery fails and/or causes related damage, who would be responsible for the repairs. Would GM try to not cover the repairs because the battery in question was not theirs?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
My '02 with a birth date of 9/19/01 still has the original battery. I think I will just replace with a new AC Delco and a battery pad. Optima seems like it might be overkill for me as mine is a dd. Good thread with good info. Got to love this forum.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
My 01 OEM battery is still going strong after 6.5 years.
Last edited by Dave68; Nov 17, 2007 at 01:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,018
Likes: 563
From: Conroe Texas
I bought mine from a Napa store. NTB also sells them but at a higher price. The famous auction site also sells them. I bought the larger size 34/78 it fits right in. The factory hold down also fits perfectly. I've read too many articles about other batteries. It seems most folks want to drive a Corvette "a fairly expensive sports car" but they want to cut corners and save money on batteries. I DON'T LIKE TO WALK! Nothing pizzes me off more than a car that won't run. David 
bought my orbital from napa, best price around. i had a 2000 coupe which had evidence of a battery leak. computer was ok, but it took some work to pull everything and clean up/dissipate the corrosion from the acid.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Well, my Excide Orbital crapped out after almost 5 years. I got over 50% back from SAM'S CLUB, put the $56 towards an Optima Redtop (SAM'S doesn't sell Orbitals anymore).
Yellow and Blue Tops are okay too, but they are deep-cycles that aren't really necessary for a car. For a boat or an RV they are good. Redtops have 6 years total warrenty, yellowtops have 2...........enough said.
Yellow and Blue Tops are okay too, but they are deep-cycles that aren't really necessary for a car. For a boat or an RV they are good. Redtops have 6 years total warrenty, yellowtops have 2...........enough said.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Nov 17, 2007 at 08:46 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 18,254
Likes: 1
From: Deep in the Heart o' Texas
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13
If you're going to buy an Optima, a Red Top should do just fine. Yellow and Blue Tops are sweet too, but they are deep-cycles that aren't really necessary for a car. For a boat or an RV maybe. This is just my two cents worth though. 
