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It Finally Died

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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 07:48 PM
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Default It Finally Died

50th Anniversary Edition, born on January 15, 2003. No replacement parts.

Finally, the AGM battery gave its last jolt. I went for a Sunday Drive and of course it let me down while having fun. My fault, I knew it was week, but was just trying to go for an entire DECADE with the same battery.

I have been nurturing the battery with a trickly-charger for a couple of years as this is not my DD. But I guess nine years and three months, 37,000 miles and way more SMILES have been great. That AGM battery did well, much better than any other battery in any of my vehicles. Usually I get about 5 years.

Now I have a new battery installed, so I guess I am good for many, many more years of miles, smiles and waves.

Drive on my friends !!!
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 08:02 PM
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Good it lasted that long. I'm waiting for the original in my 04 to take its last breathe. I also use a trickle charger, but it's just a matter of time.
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 08:14 PM
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I just replaced the original battery in my 04 last month. Battery was still working great but almost 9 years old and summer coming up, I didn't want to be on a cruise and have it go.
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 09:00 PM
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They just don't make batteries like they never did.
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 09:02 PM
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Oh well, you sure did all that you could have done!
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 09:40 PM
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I'd say you got your money's worth out of that original battery. Most don't last anywhere near that long.
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
I'd say you got your money's worth out of that original battery. Most don't last anywhere near that long.
Yeah, that was why I was trying to get 10 full years out of it.

I am not sure that it lasted because it was an AGM battery, or what, but I am amazed at its life.
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Old Apr 16, 2012 | 11:07 AM
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Good luck with your new battery. Just replaced my 7 plus yr old Optima Red Top to play it safe. IMO using a trickel charger like a CTEK 3300 extends the life. I use the CTEK 3300 yr round.
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Old Apr 16, 2012 | 11:09 AM
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Battery on my Pick Up died last month after 12 years. It was an Oreilly battery.
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Old Apr 16, 2012 | 11:50 AM
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Default Maint 101

Swapped out a 7yo Red top , you could watch it drain while parked, 1 week it was down to 12.4, week 2 @ 12.1 volts, Weak..... just askin for it,,,,Grim Reaper now that is funny, dont meet yourself out there with a failed Cell!
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Old Apr 16, 2012 | 11:55 AM
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Amazing! Put on you calender April 16, 2021, buy new battery for vette!
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Old Apr 16, 2012 | 01:35 PM
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What a career that battery enjoyed
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Old Apr 16, 2012 | 03:15 PM
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Default Those AC Delco AGMs were good if kept charged.

Back in 2001 when my car was less than 6 months old, many folks on this forum kept warning all Corvette folks to replace their batteries or they would leak and destroy everything. Well, I decided to do some investigating and found that my OEM battery was, in fact, an AGM battery (by AC Delco). So I left it in place and didn't touch it for 7 years. I replaced it not because it was dead, but because I felt I was pushing my luck.
AC Delco AGM batteries and the old leaking ones are long gone. Fortunately, pretty much all popular batteries have cases that are much stronger than they used to be. Leaking batteries of any type are very, very rare, so AGM batteries are really not necessary anymore. We can safe quite a bit of money by not having to be so choosy like we had to be in the pre-2001 days.
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Old Apr 16, 2012 | 10:27 PM
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$80 and back in good condition. That works out to about $8.00 per year for all the smiles and miles.
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Old Apr 17, 2012 | 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by jrose7004
Oh well, you sure did all that you could have done!
I sure tried !!!!
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Old Apr 17, 2012 | 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave68
Back in 2001 when my car was less than 6 months old, many folks on this forum kept warning all Corvette folks to replace their batteries or they would leak and destroy everything. Well, I decided to do some investigating and found that my OEM battery was, in fact, an AGM battery (by AC Delco). So I left it in place and didn't touch it for 7 years. I replaced it not because it was dead, but because I felt I was pushing my luck.
AC Delco AGM batteries and the old leaking ones are long gone. Fortunately, pretty much all popular batteries have cases that are much stronger than they used to be. Leaking batteries of any type are very, very rare, so AGM batteries are really not necessary anymore. We can safe quite a bit of money by not having to be so choosy like we had to be in the pre-2001 days.
When I replace mine I will get another Oreilly battery. I've had excellent luck with them. I have a red top now.
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Old Apr 17, 2012 | 10:45 PM
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Still hanging in with my oe battery on my 04 built in 03, but I'm nervous.
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 01:21 AM
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Originally Posted by steve8
Still hanging in with my oe battery on my 04 built in 03, but I'm nervous.
Do your best, you may beat my record.
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