Battery question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
From: Allen TX
Battery question
So I have searched...
I bought my car and it had a red top optima. It was like 9 yrs old or something crazy so I decided to replace it. I'm a fan of Johnson Control battery lines over Exide (maybe things have changed not sure)
Pretty much I bought the battery, but now after continued research it seems like the consensus is that the factory CCA and CA requirements were probably too small for the vette to begin with.
So what batteries odes everyone use? I hate the fact that I have a new battery and still may need to replace it with something "heavier duty."
I bought my car and it had a red top optima. It was like 9 yrs old or something crazy so I decided to replace it. I'm a fan of Johnson Control battery lines over Exide (maybe things have changed not sure)
Pretty much I bought the battery, but now after continued research it seems like the consensus is that the factory CCA and CA requirements were probably too small for the vette to begin with.
So what batteries odes everyone use? I hate the fact that I have a new battery and still may need to replace it with something "heavier duty."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
So I have searched...
I bought my car and it had a red top optima. It was like 9 yrs old or something crazy so I decided to replace it. I'm a fan of Johnson Control battery lines over Exide (maybe things have changed not sure)
Pretty much I bought the battery, but now after continued research it seems like the consensus is that the factory CCA and CA requirements were probably too small for the vette to begin with.
So what batteries odes everyone use? I hate the fact that I have a new battery and still may need to replace it with something "heavier duty."
I bought my car and it had a red top optima. It was like 9 yrs old or something crazy so I decided to replace it. I'm a fan of Johnson Control battery lines over Exide (maybe things have changed not sure)
Pretty much I bought the battery, but now after continued research it seems like the consensus is that the factory CCA and CA requirements were probably too small for the vette to begin with.
So what batteries odes everyone use? I hate the fact that I have a new battery and still may need to replace it with something "heavier duty."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
If you don't drive your car for extended periods, it is best to use a battery maintainer. It doesn't matter what brand battery you have. I have a 3 year old Exide in mine and have had no problems.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
From: Allen TX
Ok so no "issues" with the optima but I had a couple gremlins at first and when I saw the battery date I decided to replace it.
I have had optima issues in the past so I thought it good to eliminate that variable.
I did buy a Walmart battery rated I think right at 700 cca. Seems online they have bigger ones but did not in the store.
If I drive the car say once a week should it "need" a tender?
I have had optima issues in the past so I thought it good to eliminate that variable.
I did buy a Walmart battery rated I think right at 700 cca. Seems online they have bigger ones but did not in the store.
If I drive the car say once a week should it "need" a tender?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Ok so no "issues" with the optima but I had a couple gremlins at first and when I saw the battery date I decided to replace it.
I have had optima issues in the past so I thought it good to eliminate that variable.
I did buy a Walmart battery rated I think right at 700 cca. Seems online they have bigger ones but did not in the store.
If I drive the car say once a week should it "need" a tender?
I have had optima issues in the past so I thought it good to eliminate that variable.
I did buy a Walmart battery rated I think right at 700 cca. Seems online they have bigger ones but did not in the store.
If I drive the car say once a week should it "need" a tender?
Last edited by 73Corvette; May 12, 2016 at 02:34 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
WHAT is the CCA and RESERVE CAPACITY of the new battery??
As long as its the same of better,,,,, your ALL SET. Even if it is a little lower, as long as you don't let the car sit for weeks on end, nothing will be wrong.
BC
As long as its the same of better,,,,, your ALL SET. Even if it is a little lower, as long as you don't let the car sit for weeks on end, nothing will be wrong.
BC
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 259
Likes: 40
From: Summerville, SC
When I first got my car with a new battery in tow, I was working in my garage and didn't notice that I have left a door open for most of the day and into the evening. When I went to start it to pull back into garage, it just clicked. I went to AutoZ and it check out and it was perfectly fine along with my charging system. I know I don't have a lot of headroom with my NAPA battery, but I can leave my Hyundai Santa Fe doors open all day and there is never a problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 479
Likes: 44
From: Northern Colorado
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Buy any battery you want if you're going to use a tender.
If you are driving it at least once a week, you shouldn't have a low battery problem (in temps down to 40 or so).
If you might be not using the car for extended periods (like it sitting for three weeks or so a few times) you might want to consider a battery with a higher RC.
The original RC for the C5 was 90.....that was found to be problematic when the car sits extended. You will have less problems with a battery with an RC of at least 120.
If you are driving it at least once a week, you shouldn't have a low battery problem (in temps down to 40 or so).
If you might be not using the car for extended periods (like it sitting for three weeks or so a few times) you might want to consider a battery with a higher RC.
The original RC for the C5 was 90.....that was found to be problematic when the car sits extended. You will have less problems with a battery with an RC of at least 120.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,768
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
The battery you bought should be fine.
I am using a Sears DieHard Platinum in mine - its been in there for almost six years with no problems. I do keep it on a Battery Tender Plus since I do not drive the car very much.
I am using a Sears DieHard Platinum in mine - its been in there for almost six years with no problems. I do keep it on a Battery Tender Plus since I do not drive the car very much.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 259
Likes: 40
From: Summerville, SC
Yes, my Huyndai does shut down, but with the Vette's door not closed and the hatch wasn't closed all the way, I assumed that that was the reason for the dead battery. That's the only reason I could figure why the battery went dead, everything else checked out OK. Checked battery terminals, charging system good, and there wasn't much draw on the battery when all the doors were closed all the way. I'm still scratching my head on that one. 
Last edited by caddman11; May 13, 2016 at 08:46 AM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 579
Likes: 50
From: Chambersburg Pa
Diehard Platinum with 135 RC also.Watch the Optima since production moved to Mexico a few years ago and quality slipped.You would think if a company moved to a low wage country ,they would pass some savings to the customers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I also use a Sears DieHard Platinum..the original died after just under three years and they replaced it for $1.50. I'm a fan, again of Sears.
Last edited by runner140*; May 13, 2016 at 09:17 AM. Reason: add
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 30,492
Likes: 11
From: San Antonio Texas
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
When was the last time someone here bought a DieHard Platinum for their C5? Should I go DieHard Gold instead or what would be the better option? I use a Battery Tender as the car is only driven occasionally.
EDIT - BTW, currently have an Optima Red Top in it but not thrilled with the higher prices nor reported lower quality of the new ones.
Last edited by Tormania; May 24, 2016 at 04:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
From: Allen TX
I just ended up buying the Duralast Gold AGM from Autozone...same thing as the old Diehard.
It was about 180 I think. I have bigger problems though now as it appears my motor may have let go.... BOOO!! New build I suppose.
It was about 180 I think. I have bigger problems though now as it appears my motor may have let go.... BOOO!! New build I suppose.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 2
From: Peoples Republik of Kalifornia Ka
My Optima is 3 years old and has a tender on it most of the time. Metered it and it shows fully charged but will not start the car. Just clicks. Replaced it with a Diehard and car starts up immediately. I don't know what the problem was.