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Old May 28, 2008 | 08:32 PM
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Default Need Battery help

Hey guys, quick question for ya.
Battery
Which should I get??

I have a 99 supercharged Vette that I am also going to be putting a mild stereo / amp setup in.
Also it HAS to be a side post battery since my MagnaCharge Cooler tank is on top of the battery

I would like the highest CCA with the best running amps and the highest storage amps.

Napa has a battery and it is rated 975CCA 700 running amps and 125 storage.

That seems to be better then the Optima Red.
Anyone else have a suggestion
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Old May 28, 2008 | 11:14 PM
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Not sure how good the NAPA battery is, but I've had excellent luck with my Optima Red Top. While others have reported some problems with the Optima's, I sure haven't.
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Old May 29, 2008 | 12:33 AM
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I dont care what anyone says....I only use delco in my GM products, nuff said.
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Old May 29, 2008 | 11:24 AM
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ok, well i asked the part dude about the battery issue at the chevy dealer and he said use optima.

so, now i am still not much closer to an answer then i was before.

anyone?
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Old May 29, 2008 | 11:36 AM
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If you have to, look at a yellow top it is suppose to be a deep cycle battery, the red tops don't like large draws and if it goes low then it will be on a death spiral. Even my waxer friends have dead red tops, so not sure how well the yellow would stand up, but I'm sure it would be better than the red. The ONLY reason people get the optimas is that they think they won't spill, which is a valid concern. However, there are better batteries.

The NAPA sounds good, is it a sealed battery? The wiring loom below the battery is very expensive, so get a sealed battery at the least. Do some searches here, there is more than one type of AGM if you want the extra protection.
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Old May 29, 2008 | 12:30 PM
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AGM?
I know that napa does offer a battery same amps and such as the reg, but it is a gel battery instead
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Old May 29, 2008 | 12:50 PM
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This is about everything I know about batteries

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...Battery+Thread

Bottom line is most batteries you'll buy off the shelf today will be fine. Just decide which is best for the type of use your car gets.

Daily driver most are good. Weekend warrior you may want to avoid an AGM or get a battery tender. High drain such as major audio mods, think deep cycle such as a yellow top. If you want a cheap traditional battery there are plenty of choices.

FWIW I went with a Yellow Top which is deep cycle battery. It'll cope well with the drain from heavy useage.

Last edited by DeeGee; May 31, 2008 at 01:41 AM.
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Old May 29, 2008 | 01:42 PM
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I am running the Excide Orbital battery, got it from Napa last year for 120.00 and change.. I have 2 600 watt amps, sub and all the stereo stuff and it runs like a champ. I've left it sit for a couple of weeks , winter or summer and it starts everytime. It aint cheap, but batteries are like anything else, you get what you pay for.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...5X-_-100609909

I dont know if this is the exact model# for the vett, but it is the same battery I got at Napa.
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Old May 29, 2008 | 01:43 PM
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I would suggest getting a sealed battery... or you might end up dealing with my issues.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2031816

Some of the cause was from using the exide orbital.
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Old May 29, 2008 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by thewakeboarder
I would suggest getting a sealed battery... or you might end up dealing with my issues.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2031816

Some of the cause was from using the exide orbital.
The Excide orbitals that are out now are sealed and spillproof. Not sure what battery you had with your problems... This was a common problem from the factory with some of the Delco batteries. I had the AGM glassmatt Delco battery and it lasted 7 years, never leaked. Also, how do know how much was caused by the Orbital battery...since you say "some of the cause"??

Last edited by FrankTank; May 29, 2008 at 03:54 PM.
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Old May 29, 2008 | 05:46 PM
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After reading dozens of these threads and doing some research off site, I picked up a Diehard Platinum last night. Not cheap, but great warranty and it's AGM with higher CCA and reserve than factory spec.

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Old May 29, 2008 | 11:14 PM
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rcarl,
what is the CCA and reserve on the Platinum?
try to decide if it is worth the 1.5 hour drive to the nearest Sears with auto shop so I can get one. I am about the Sears name too but since Katrina too the biloxi sears auto, we now have to drive 45 minutes to gautier to get one
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Old May 29, 2008 | 11:15 PM
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BTW, is there a way to remove the top poles? I have a magnacharger on the top of my battery and i cant have top poles
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Old May 30, 2008 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by jsbihn
rcarl,
what is the CCA and reserve on the Platinum?
try to decide if it is worth the 1.5 hour drive to the nearest Sears with auto shop so I can get one. I am about the Sears name too but since Katrina too the biloxi sears auto, we now have to drive 45 minutes to gautier to get one
Don't drive, this battery is shippable since it's non-hazardous. Although 45 mins in the vette...
It's 710 CCA, 90 MIN reserve, 4yr REPLACEMENT and 100 month pro-rated warranty. They claim 28% more CCA and 40% more reserve than Spiral Wound AGMs (aka Optima).
And they're manufactured in the good ol' US in Warrensburg, Mo. see here--> http://www.automotives-global.com/in...ves.asp?PID=31 To see EnSys's version of this battery go to www.odysseyfactory.com and search for your vehicle. Sears version is virtually the same battery as the Odyssey pc1230 that Summit Racing is selling for $309. The Odyssey site is loaded with good info on care of AGM batteries ---> http://www.odysseyfactory.com/literature.html
Good luck.
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Old May 30, 2008 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by jsbihn
BTW, is there a way to remove the top poles? I have a magnacharger on the top of my battery and i cant have top poles
I don't think the poles are removeable. Possibly they could be cut down, although that's probably a warranty killer. I'd check with Odyssey before doing that. It might be easier to mount it on it's side, as an AGM battery can be mounted oriented any way but upside down per their installation instructions.
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Old May 30, 2008 | 02:28 PM
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I spent the money for an Optima Yellow Top and haven't looked back. Its been in the car for a year now and I love it. Just a mild stereo setup (800 watt amp / single 10" woofer).

And with batteries, just FYI - Cold Cranking Amps is figured on 0 degrees. I don't know about where you're located, but here in the midwest we never see those temperatures and if we did, I wouldn't even consider getting the car out because of the precipitation and hazards that come along with those temps. For practicality sake, look at the Cranking Amps (just CA), which is figured on 32 degrees (which is still colder than when I'd be getting her out anyway).

I think the Yellow Top I have has 650 CCA (at 0 degrees) and 870 CA (at 32 degees).

All in all, I doubt you'll ever notice a difference between any of the higher end batteries. Spend the money and buy something quality. Its not a Honda Civic - don't cut corners just to save a couple bucks.

Best of luck!
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Old May 30, 2008 | 04:33 PM
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I just got the optima red top from costco for 135 including tax. Fit good, looks good, works good.
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Old May 30, 2008 | 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by jsbihn
BTW, is there a way to remove the top poles? I have a magnacharger on the top of my battery and i cant have top poles
Do you have the coolant tank for the Maggie (or I think its the boost a pump for fuel maybe) mounted above the battery? Alot of these larger batteries wont fit then. PM forum member Perfectlyfrank here on the forum, he just replaced his battery because he got a Magna charger and had to go to a smaller size Delco battery to fit.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 12:28 AM
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franktank thanks, that is the issue i have.
and as i have been saying i have a magnacharger cooling tank ontop of the battery
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Old May 31, 2008 | 07:52 AM
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I bought a Duralast at Auto Zone for $90 out the door. 700 CCA, 2 year 100% replacement, pro rated 8 year warranty and a free 2-year "jump start" road service warranty.
OR, spend $250? for an Optima with a crummy 2 year warranty. Yes, Optima is gel and "leak proof". People swear by them and they look pretty for $250. My 8-year Duralast has a pretty "yellow top" too. Whoopie.
I have never had problems with Duralast. I can't say that about the leaking Delco I just pulled out of my acid-damaged Silverado.
It's just a battery, not a contest to see who can spend more. Spend $90 and be good for 7-8 years.
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