Best battery
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,187
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From: Kannapolis NC
There are hundreds of discussions about it on the forum that you can read and see if you agree with the arguments.
My personal favorite is the stock Delco, and 2nd choice is Interstate. The model depending on what year car you have. (Side or top terminals)
My least favorite is any of the Optimas. Now watch this.
My personal favorite is the stock Delco, and 2nd choice is Interstate. The model depending on what year car you have. (Side or top terminals)
My least favorite is any of the Optimas. Now watch this.
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I like the Sears DieHard Platinum - have had it in my car for nearly four years now after an Optima Red Top died after only 3 years of use. Have had absolutely no problems at all with the DieHard.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 118
From: San Gabriel Valley California
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I have the big Die Hard Platinum also. It has 850 CCA's, and always feels strong.
I would advise you don't get a smaller battery, than that, what ever the brand.
Don
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
anyone check into the costco warranty? it's supposedly 100months pro rated
if you changed out batteries every 3 years that would make it cheap to keep a newer battery in the car. for a wet cell they have decent cranking amps too
if you changed out batteries every 3 years that would make it cheap to keep a newer battery in the car. for a wet cell they have decent cranking amps too
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: CA
Everyone has their own opinion. IMO the optima yellow top deep cycle is a beast, just dont be an idiot and act like it's an never ending power source. (For some reason when people get an Optima battery they forget this and then are surprised when they have issues). Typical batteries need to remain close to a full charge. The beauty of a deep cycle (yellow top) is it can actually wear as low as 60% and still have the cold crank amps to fire up. ...again just dont abuse it.
My favorite part is that it's a gel battery that won't leak, which is huge being that the on board computer is just beneath it. *invest a little extra & avoid A LOT :-)
My favorite part is that it's a gel battery that won't leak, which is huge being that the on board computer is just beneath it. *invest a little extra & avoid A LOT :-)
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 645
Likes: 12
From: Hermosa Beach CA
Any dry cell AGM. The battery is simply too close to electronics for anything other.
I bought an Exide Orbital in 2007 still going strong. Half of its life has been battery tended. Orbital was replaced by the Exide Edge. Get a 78 series.
I bought an Exide Orbital in 2007 still going strong. Half of its life has been battery tended. Orbital was replaced by the Exide Edge. Get a 78 series.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
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From: oregon
Everyone has their own opinion. IMO the optima yellow top deep cycle is a beast, just dont be an idiot and act like it's an never ending power source. (For some reason when people get an Optima battery they forget this and then are surprised when they have issues). Typical batteries need to remain close to a full charge. The beauty of a deep cycle (yellow top) is it can actually wear as low as 60% and still have the cold crank amps to fire up. ...again just dont abuse it.
My favorite part is that it's a gel battery that won't leak, which is huge being that the on board computer is just beneath it. *invest a little extra & avoid A LOT :-)
My favorite part is that it's a gel battery that won't leak, which is huge being that the on board computer is just beneath it. *invest a little extra & avoid A LOT :-)
except you forgot the part about them dying in about two years tops if you use them in a daily driver
red tops are far more suited to frequent use in the auto environment
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 45
From: Long Grove IL
After fixing the vacuum line near the PCM being eaten through I wasn't going to take any chance with a conventional battery like the previous owner installed.I used a Duralast Platinum (AGM) from AutoZone and it's been good for 2 years so far. After sitting all winter disconnected in an unheated (albeit insulated) garage, it starts like any other day. There wasn't one listed for my 2004, but I used a 34DT which is the same size as the 78, but with added top terminals required for the '04.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: NJ
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I like AC Delco. Had Die Hard and it didn't last long.. maybe 2 years. I've gotten 9 years out of an original AC Delco I had in my 96 Camaro. Now they are rated at 5 and 7 years and that is exactly how long they last. Just replaced a 5 year one after 5 years. They are bit pricey from the dealer though but they are strong batteries.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
Exide Edge, formerly known as Exide Orbital
Last edited by MAC5; Aug 19, 2014 at 09:31 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,028
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From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
I've used Red Tops. Suggest using a trickle charger like a CTEK3300 all the time. Got six yrs plus on my last Red Top & only changed it to be on the safe side. Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 39
From: South Central PA
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
I had an optima yellow top last almost 10 years. No battery tender and not a lot of use. Recently I have been going with the Advance Auto Gold batteries simply because of the warranty. I really don't care if my battery dies early because they will give me money back towards a new one. Combine that with the coupon codes they have floating around and you get a new gold battery for $100 tops. As much as I loved my Optima, I just can't justify spending double for the same use.
