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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 08:38 AM
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Default battery question?

Well, it finally happened. I went out this morning to take my wife to breakfast and the battery was dead in my "99" coupe. Its been turning over slow in the cold weather and i haven't driven it in a couple weeks so my question is which battery do you guys recommend? I want the best one money can buy so whats the verdict?
Thanks, Dave
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 08:42 AM
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Bosch.

777
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 08:44 AM
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Duralast 86-DL from Auto Zone.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 08:44 AM
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I've run an Optima Red Top in my last two, '74 and '03. Real strong starts and never had it die even after sitting for 2+ months.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 08:48 AM
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[QUOTE=C5Wolfe;1576533511]Well, it finally happened. I went out this morning to take my wife to breakfast and the battery was dead in my "99" coupe. Its been turning over slow in the cold weather and i haven't driven it in a couple weeks so my question is which battery do you guys recommend? I want the best one money can buy so whats the verdict?


I'm in the same boat as you with a dead battery but won't be taking the vet out of storage until April. One option if you have an Advance Auto Parts store in your area is to remove the battery and take it to them. They will charge it for free.

I understand that an Optima "yellow top" is an excellent choice but will cost around $205.00 but is a "next gen" type of battery.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 09:24 AM
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Red Top I think it's a 34/75. I paid $125.00.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 09:29 AM
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I'm currently running a Sears DieHard Platinum.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 09:54 AM
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AC Delco original equipment replacement.............There you have it take your pick.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 10:40 AM
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Make sure the battery has at least a 120 RC (reserve capacity).

Watch this video if you haven't seen it yet.

AC-Delco 78-6YR/7YR

Discount prices run around $99-118. little higher on the 7YR

7-Year 50-month free replacement limited warranty

6-Year 30-month free replacement limited warranty

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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 10:57 AM
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Good luck w/whatever battery u go with. Suggest u invest in a CTEK-3300 trickle charger. My '99 is a garage queen & I use the CTEK all the time summer & winter. I've got a Red Top in the vette which is serveral yrs old & no issues even when its not be driven in a month (winter blues).
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Jet-Jock
Make sure the battery has at least a 120 RC (reserve capacity).

Watch this video if you haven't seen it yet.

AC-Delco 78-6YR/7YR

Discount prices run around $99-118. little higher on the 7YR

7-Year 50-month free replacement limited warranty

6-Year 30-month free replacement limited warranty

Although I chose the Sears Die Hard Platinum

Originally Posted by 99 VET
Good luck w/whatever battery u go with. Suggest u invest in a CTEK-3300 trickle charger. My '99 is a garage queen & I use the CTEK all the time summer & winter. I've got a Red Top in the vette which is serveral yrs old & no issues even when its not be driven in a month (winter blues).
if you can, it does get you past a lot of battery/voltage related problems down the road (colum lock, AH/TC . . .etc).
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 12:18 PM
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I'm also running the AC Delco that has been in the car for about 4 years now along with a battery maintainer that I got from Sears. I'm very satisfied with the battery and would second the suggestion on the maintainer. All good advice.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Jet-Jock
Make sure the battery has at least a 120 RC (reserve capacity)
Hey JJ, Why so ?

The OEM battery in my 04 finally died after this bitter cold we been having here in New Jersey and I had my A$$ upagainst a wall .
I needed a battery so I purchased an Exide Platinum Series 86-8.
It has 630 CCA @ 0 degrees, 785 CCA @ 32 degrees and a 90 RC

Did I make a mistake in getting this one?

Found this:


"Reserve time is basically how long from fully charged, a correctly working battery should last without an alternator to maintain the cars electrical draw. This varies from different battery companies and models and on a modern reliable, well serviced vehicle, buying one with a longer reserve is folly. Really only is needed on old cars which need lots of cranking or in really cold places.



Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_reserve_minutes_in_a_car_batter y#ixzz1BJmJggcd"

Last edited by SG Lou; Jan 18, 2011 at 12:19 PM.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by SG Lou
Hey JJ, Why so ?
Yup, watch the video in the link he posted. the guy giving the talk is C4C5Specialist (aside from being a world class certified tech for the C5, he is a long standing member of a lot of vette forums and is one of those guys thats always got the answer).

He goes on to talk about the C5 which required a battery with an RC of 90 when introduced, however with the inherent standby draw of the C5 and experience gained over the years by countless owners, it seems that an RC of 120 avoids a lot of problems.

Works for me
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 05:13 PM
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Default New Battery !

Originally Posted by jrose7004
Red Top I think it's a 34/75. I paid $125.00.
Optima Red Top 75/25 720 CCA and no chance of acid leak.

I've using one without fail for three years now.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 05:18 PM
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You get a lot of mixed reviews on batts especially Optima Red tops, just as many people hate them than love them. Do yourself a favor and go with a Delco, Die hard, Duralast or Bosch. They will all do a good job and last for years, you can't go wrong and all about the same in price. It seems the more money you spend the more maintenance it needs. I went with a Duralast Gold from Autozone for about 80.00 and it's been nothing but perfect for a little over a year now. The car sat once for a little over two months last winter with no tender and it started with no problem.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 05:27 PM
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Sears Platinum
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 05:45 PM
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Gel Cell only!
Take it from someone who had acid leak on his vacuum line. Real PITA to repair. And I thought that would never happen to me, take to good of care of my car.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 06:03 PM
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Everyone has their favorite. I heard too much complaining about others so I went with the NAPA Orbital. Had it for 4 years now, I take it out in the winter and put back in the spring without even charging it. Been perfect so far.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 06:22 PM
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WOW, I am amazed you got that much time out of the OE battery! Congrats.

Mine is OE (2003 AE) and when it comes time I am just going with the top WalMart battery. Reviews are very high and I can get it replaced ANYWHERE without an argument.

JMHO
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