Red Top Battery
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 51
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From: Newport News, VA, USA
Red Top Battery
For the second time I have had a optima red top battery go dead in less than 3 years. The corvette had no modifications that would impact the battery. At over $200 this battery is overrated. I have replaced it with an $80 battery with the same replacement warranty.
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Warrington Pa.
How long did it sit without running or on a tender?
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I had a Red Top in my '00 and it was there for 7.5 years when I sold the car and still working fine. When I bought my '03, it had a Red Top in it and at the 3 year mark, it failed. So I have mixed reviews on the Optima Batteries. I went with a Sears DieHard Platinum now and it has been in there for a little over 3 years. No problems yet.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 68
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From: Schieding Connecticut
Red top
I agree. Optima is WAY over rated. I buy the AC Delco battery sized for C5 Corvettes from who ever gives me the best price. No dead batteries, no regrets. I use a Battery Tender (it's over 15 years old) for the 3 months I do not use the car.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Here is a thread from OT about Optima's. Even a rep of Optima chimed in.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...batteries.html
My yellow top has lasted aaaaalllllllooooonnnnngggggg time
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...batteries.html
My yellow top has lasted aaaaalllllllooooonnnnngggggg time
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
just from my personal experience i will never spend that much on a battery. all 5 of my cars have an advance gold battery in them and sit there. my 00c5 has had its advance special for 4 years now and has never failed. my 72 vette and 68 mustang have the same battery and sit for months at a time without ever getting cranked and fire right up each time without a tender. my ford explorer gets driven once a month and has never failed me. even my wifes 07 mustang got the same battery when the factory one failed after 3 years. Even with deployments where the cars just sit they have always cranked right up when I got home. Each one cost my like 80 bucks. Maybe I just got lucky and got the only 5 good ones off the line but I doubt it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,755
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From: Sandy Utah
My OE battery lasted three years---replaced it with a Red Top from Costco----it failed before the "free replacement 3 year warranty"---Costco replaced it FREE---I have kept this one on a battery tender and it is 6 years old and working fine. I am convinced that Red Tops have a low RESERVE CAPACITY causing them to fail if they are not constantly on a maintainer. 
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 107
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From: Knoxville TN
Here is a thread from OT about Optima's. Even a rep of Optima chimed in.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...batteries.html
My yellow top has lasted aaaaalllllllooooonnnnngggggg time
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...batteries.html
My yellow top has lasted aaaaalllllllooooonnnnngggggg time
My yellow top has been very resilient even when I thought it was completely dead. Don't know why others have problems, but I hope I don't start having them!
