Replacement Battery
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Replacement Battery
After 7 years it looks like my original battery has died. I am looking for suggestions on what to replace it with. From what I have seen here in the past the battery of choice is the Optima Red Top. Why this one rather than a good conventional battery, I am aware of the problems with the electronics located below the battery which are caused if there is a leek. Is the main reason for using the Optima? Which Optima model is correct for a 2000 Coupe and what adapters may be required for a proper fit?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1
From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
My redtop is laying dead in the garage... 
Suggest you do a search on the red top then decide from there. You can have my dead one for free if you want it. It's only 1 1/2 years old.
Suggest you do a search on the red top then decide from there. You can have my dead one for free if you want it. It's only 1 1/2 years old.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,127
Likes: 476
From: NM
I have not had to replace the battery on my C5, only 3 yrs old. But for all my other cars, including my '73 big block, I just go to Wal-Mart. Low cost and they are guaranteed for 3 years, no questions asked. If it should crap out, then they will replace it at no cost to you.
tom...
tom...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,154
Likes: 0
From: Kali
St. Jude Donor '11
Don't ****ing waste your money on Optimas just get a decent replacement battery (non AC delco) I got mine from China-Mart for $60. Optimas will run your at least $150... and they will last 3 years... which is the same or less than a $60 battery...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1
From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
I've already done the warranty jig they demand... pull battery, take to them, they keep it a few days and give it back to you. Just not worth the effort to try and make them honor their 3 year replacement any longer.
BTW I bought it at Advance Auto in Colorado Springs. No AA's in New Mexico. Anyway ... I'll never buy another Red Top.
Last edited by The Wanderer; Aug 10, 2007 at 12:57 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
I prefer the Excide Orbital. It is not as well known as the red top but..... from what I've read it has a much better reputation. I've got one in our 03' AE. I let it sit for a week or two and it starts right up. It is a AGM like the red top. There is a recent post that someone bought a Walmart battery, it leaked and now he's having to hassle over the 1200.00 repair. Please buy an AGM battery, they are more expensive but it's cheaper than replacing tons of stuff when a regular battery leaks all over the place. David 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1
From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
I prefer the Excide Orbital. It is not as well known as the red top but..... from what I've read it has a much better reputation. I've got one in our 03' AE. I let it sit for a week or two and it starts right up. It is a AGM like the red top. There is a recent post that someone bought a Walmart battery, it leaked and now he's having to hassle over the 1200.00 repair. Please buy an AGM battery, they are more expensive but it's cheaper than replacing tons of stuff when a regular battery leaks all over the place. David
The Exide Select Orbital® XCD—designed to complement the vehicle's starting battery—features a highly efficient design of spiral-wound plates combined with absorbed glass mat lead-acid chemistry. Orbital technology produces a battery with twice the life of a conventional battery and safety features that allow it to be located anywhere in the vehicle.
Might be an interesting option.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 663
Likes: 172
From: Oklahoma
If the original battery in the car lasted 7 years then that is what I would replace with. I have not seen any testimonials on this forum that indicates any replacement batteries have come close to lasting 7 years.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
From their webpage:
The Exide Select Orbital® XCD—designed to complement the vehicle's starting battery—features a highly efficient design of spiral-wound plates combined with absorbed glass mat lead-acid chemistry. Orbital technology produces a battery with twice the life of a conventional battery and safety features that allow it to be located anywhere in the vehicle.
Might be an interesting option.
The Exide Select Orbital® XCD—designed to complement the vehicle's starting battery—features a highly efficient design of spiral-wound plates combined with absorbed glass mat lead-acid chemistry. Orbital technology produces a battery with twice the life of a conventional battery and safety features that allow it to be located anywhere in the vehicle.
Might be an interesting option.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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I've had a red top in my car since November 2001 and it is still performing flawlessly. Yes, there have been some issues with the Optimas lately - not sure just how wide spread it is. The Exide Orbital is supposed to be a good one too - might be worth a look.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Although my Red Top 34/78 is not as old as your's JD, it is still working well and coming up on 5yrs old. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside CA
I just replaced the Sears Die-Hard two weeks ago with a RedTop. The Sears battery was at least 5 years old since I've owned the car for 4 years. It didn't show any signs of dying, but figured it was probably getting close and I too hate to get stuck somewhere. Hopefully the Redtop will last as long. I will be pissed if it dies in less than 3 years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 4
From: C.H., N.J.
I purchased my red top on December 5, 2001 and replaced my 1999 FRC's Delco (which was working). I placed the Delco on a metal shelf and forgot about it until the spring of 2002. The battery leaked acid and ate a hole in the metal shelf. It would have done that to the PCM if it had spent the winter in the Corvette.
The red top is still in the Corvette with no issues and I expect it will last a while longer although I am tempted to replace it ONLY because it is going on six years.
As far as spending the $120-$140 on a red top, so what, it's going in an expensive car that gives me a lot of pleasure.
Like tellefan said "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 too don't understand Corvette owners that save a few bucks on a battery.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
i replaced my delco with a walmart battery. after one year i forgot to put the tender on it a couple times and it finally died. took it back no ?'s asked, they just gave me another one.
i put a acid mat under it. funny walmart gave me a new Receipt.
3 more years of coverage.
i put a acid mat under it. funny walmart gave me a new Receipt.
3 more years of coverage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 940
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock Ontario
With so much money at stake an add-on battery box is a no-brainer.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Mays Landing NJ
My 2 cents:
After over 5 years, the stock battery in my 02 coupe died. Actually, it didn't "die", the positive terminal just broke off! I was lucky not to have any acid leak into the compartment though. I'm not a big fan of Sears but I have been a longtime user of the DieHard series batteries. They are reasonably priced and have a great warranty (on the Gold series at least). The size and dimensions were almost identical to stock and my $75.00 purchase seems to be working out very well so far. I almost bought one of those Red Tops but the $150.00 price tag freaked me out. I'm not gonna skimp on my Vette but that just seemed a little outrageous for a battery.
After over 5 years, the stock battery in my 02 coupe died. Actually, it didn't "die", the positive terminal just broke off! I was lucky not to have any acid leak into the compartment though. I'm not a big fan of Sears but I have been a longtime user of the DieHard series batteries. They are reasonably priced and have a great warranty (on the Gold series at least). The size and dimensions were almost identical to stock and my $75.00 purchase seems to be working out very well so far. I almost bought one of those Red Tops but the $150.00 price tag freaked me out. I'm not gonna skimp on my Vette but that just seemed a little outrageous for a battery.