What model Optima Battery should I buy for my ZO6?

 

I wouldn't waste your money,,,buy a Sears DieHard Gold. Mine is going on 8 years but I do keep it on a Schumacher battery tender 24/7. Just my 2$ worth.

 

You asked a legitimate question and got an unsolicited negative reply. I'll answer your question directly.

Either a group 34/78 or 75/25 will work.

This forum vendor has the OPTIMA line for a shipped price...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...5-shipped.html

I got my OPTIMA 34/78 from COSTCO some time ago. It's still going strong by the way and it's four years old. It hasn't bested my last one that went seven years and was still being used by the new owner two years later. That's nine years in AZ and CA heat.

But, if you now have doubts because of the previous reply, do some research in C5 Tech, with either search or search this forum (in the red banner). Use keywords "optima battery". You find hundreds of past comments in various threads. Remember "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." In other words, don't believe just those who complain about a particular product as gospel. People who have no complaints are not as vocal.

Here's the most recent thread in C5 by the way...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...op-owners.html

I've never had an OPTIMA battery fail and I've been using them prior to the general public even being able to buy them. If it's for a daily driver in all weather, a float maintenance charger may not be required. If it's for a weekend cruiser with periods of non use, consider a BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25amp by Deltron Corp) or a CTEK US3300 (.8/3.3amp).

 

Good advice, love my Optima yellow top. Battery tender plus

 

I have used optima red top in my Viper and Vettes, both also have Ctek battery tender and have had 0 issues. The vette also has a large stereo amplifier that it supports (1K watts) and has had no problem, even if it sits for a couple weeks w/o the tender on it.

 

junk battery in my opinion if you let your car sit alot between drives

 

This has been my experience as well. I now have a CTEK 7002 with a Sears Diehard Platinum (Odyssey Battery)


Last battery in my 04 Z06 was an Optima Red 75/25.

I bought it because I thought it was the best. I now believe that Odyssey makes a superior battery. Odyssey is sold in Sears as Diehard Platinum - same battery different color, lower price.

The Odyssey is heavier, but has more reserve capacity, and other advantages which can be researched (shelf life, service live, case construction, warranty, etc...). I like it because it is solid, powerful, and rugged - the extra 10-15 pounds is a compromise for increased reliability.


I imagine you want the best battery in your Z06, if you're going to spend money - do it right the first time.

 

84REDCROSSFIRE What is more commonly used, or more correctly what is better for my Baby?

Group # Description
75/25 (8022-091) RedTop®; Battery;
D75/25 (8042-218) YellowTop®; Deep Cycle Battery;

 

There was a time when I considered an Optima, but I was able to replace the Delco that was in the car with another Delco that I got for a good price. So far 5 years strong, no problem. I guess Im in the minority here.

 

I switched from OPTIMA to ODYSSEY batteries in both cars.

I have had OPTIMAS fail.

 

It depends on the application. I have a RedTop in my daily driver. (5+ years - no issues)

 

Get Red if you want one that has fewer CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) and less RC (reserve capacity) than the Odyssey but better CCA than the YellowTop aka worse specs.

Get Yellow if you want one that has fewer CCA than both the RedTop or the Odyssey, but has equal RC to the Odyssey aka worse specs again.

Get Odyssey/Sears Diehard Platinum if you want to have more CCA than either RedTop or YellowTop and RC equal to YellowTop.


It's not like numbers or money or specifications or bad experiences mean anything in this world...


Group Size 25 Comparison

RedTop
CCA 720
RC 90

YellowTop
CCA 620
RC 100

Odyssey/Sears Diehard Platinum
CCA 740
RC 100


I don't think I've ever seen anything bad about the Odyssey...plenty of stories going around on Optima...

 

Thanks Folks!

 

Heavy, overpriced battery. Some with a lot of complaints on this board. Probably good if you are into stereos though.

 

To be fair at $145 vs $190 (DieHard) or $250 (Odyssey) the Optima RedTop is definitely a more reasonably priced AGM battery and is lighter which makes it a good match for a lightweight reasonably priced fun car

Anything is better than acid on the PCM...

 

Odyssey batteries are the best, PERIOD. Made in USA, military spec, are a combination starting and deep cycle battery. Can withstand over 400, 80% discharges and recharges and are available with as many as 1500 Cold Cranking Amps. 8 to 10 year service life. The tiny one I put in my quad has 680 CCA and I can winch all day without the motor running.
Optimas are now made in China and are crap.

 

So what if it was a negative reply, I agree with PCBUNN. Alot of times replies like this go along way in helping to make a decision.

 

I work for the city of Los Angeles and we use optima batteries but, I have seen hundreds of them fail over the past few years if they sit unattended even for a little while. I replaced my battery with the correct original Delco and it works great.

 

I have the Optima red top battery, in my vette and its not a daily driver and sometime my car sit for three and I go to start it and it be dead. Works good if you drive it at least once a week. So now I just keep my battery tender on it and still going strong. But if you let your car sit, the Optima doesn't keep a charge like most other batterys.

 

Optima 75/25 red-----fits like a Trojan or a surgical glove