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Whats a good Maintance Free battery?

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Old 11-15-2018, 08:24 AM
  #21  
leadfoot4
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Originally Posted by ASRoff
lithium pros.... but you wont like the price....until you realize that they last much longer than lead acid...


https://www.lithiumpros.com/why-lith...-are-superior/
Interesting information, on that website, but to me, it doesn't look like those batteries would be suitable for a street driven Corvette. They're either 16V batteries, or the 12V batteries are to be used with an alternator with a maximum output of 60A. Their weight, only 4 pounds, is VERY tempting, however. Then again, the battery is over $500!!
Old 11-15-2018, 12:29 PM
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oh1vette
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Originally Posted by Mike98SilVert


I have the AutoCraft Platinum AGM Battery. It listed for around $179 less 30% off with their online coupon. Do a search for Advance Auto discount codes. To me it's worth spending a few dollars more on an AGM battery for peace of mind.



X2 on this one - been running it for 3 years no issues...

Old 11-15-2018, 11:01 PM
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striper
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My last Optima lasted 15 years. I think that was cost effective.
Old 11-16-2018, 06:46 AM
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leadfoot4
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Originally Posted by striper
My last Optima lasted 15 years. I think that was cost effective.
Old 11-16-2018, 09:30 AM
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Fcar 98
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My second year with a red top, jury is still out on it for me. I have had many different batteries that have held at least 5 years. Change every 5 years if I need it or not
Old 11-16-2018, 09:31 AM
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jackthelad
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I think you get what you pay for. I have a Sears Platinum, currently more than 10 years old and it is still fine - the car can sit for ages without needing a battery tender. Trouble is they don't sell them any more. You can buy one from the manufacturer, Odyssey, but sans the generous warranty that Sears used to give. For our "other" vehicles, we have used Maxx batteries from Walmart and they are perfectly fine, but having had one of the Delco batteries that split its case and dumped acid over everything, the C5 will only get an AGM replacement when the time comes. In my experience, though, 5 years service from a "wet" lead acid battery is about it - if you are lucky. As an example, ten years ago we installed a whole house generator and it's on it's third battery. Neither the original Diehard nor the replacement Autocraft made it past 4 years.

Last edited by jackthelad; 11-16-2018 at 09:32 AM.
Old 11-16-2018, 09:40 AM
  #27  
Fcar 98
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Originally Posted by jackthelad
I think you get what you pay for. I have a Sears Platinum, currently more than 10 years old and it is still fine - the car can sit for ages without needing a battery tender. Trouble is they don't sell them any more. You can buy one from the manufacturer, Odyssey, but sans the generous warranty that Sears used to give. For our "other" vehicles, we have used Maxx batteries from Walmart and they are perfectly fine, but having had one of the Delco batteries that split its case and dumped acid over everything, the C5 will only get an AGM replacement when the time comes. In my experience, though, 5 years service from a "wet" lead acid battery is about it - if you are lucky. As an example, ten years ago we installed a whole house generator and it's on it's third battery. Neither the original Diehard nor the replacement Autocraft made it past 4 years.
Mine also sits without a tender. Its my opinion it’s the car not the battery that allows them to sit long periods at a time and still start.
Old 11-16-2018, 12:03 PM
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knewblewkorvette
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All though I'm totally for AGM style batteries for our C5s they are NOT bullet proof. I had an alternator go nuts in my 2000 Ford Expedition. The regulator must have went out and the voltage went to like 17.6 volts. I was in the middle of no where when this happened. At rest, everything was normal but as soon as I gave her gas all my gauges would peg out. Anyhow, I drove the Expedition about 20 miles to home. Shut her off, called my mechanic, he told me to bring right it. We popped the hood and you could see my NEW yellow top battery split open and liquid was spilling everywhere. How the Expedition started is beyond me with the battery like that. The alternator also fried my subwoofer amplifier
Old 11-16-2018, 12:11 PM
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JR-01
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Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
All though I'm totally for AGM style batteries for our C5s they are NOT bullet proof. I had an alternator go nuts in my 2000 Ford Expedition. The regulator must have went out and the voltage went to like 17.6 volts. I was in the middle of no where when this happened. At rest, everything was normal but as soon as I gave her gas all my gauges would peg out. Anyhow, I drove the Expedition about 20 miles to home. Shut her off, called my mechanic, he told me to bring right it. We popped the hood and you could see my NEW yellow top battery split open and liquid was spilling everywhere. How the Expedition started is beyond me with the battery like that. The alternator also fried my subwoofer amplifier
To be safe you can put a battery mat under the battery.

https://www.batterymart.com/p-battery-mat-black.html
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Old 11-16-2018, 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
They won't leak like a regular lead acid battery might.
AGM.
Old 11-18-2018, 02:57 AM
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
Interesting information, on that website, but to me, it doesn't look like those batteries would be suitable for a street driven Corvette. They're either 16V batteries, or the 12V batteries are to be used with an alternator with a maximum output of 60A. Their weight, only 4 pounds, is VERY tempting, however. Then again, the battery is over $500!!
https://www.lithiumpros.com/product/...m-ion-battery/



Is what I use... 925 cca alternator up to 120a. and 8 lbs. also its a LI battery.... so internal resistance is way less trust me its WAY more powerful than any Lead acid or AGM drycell. and you can deep cycle is as many times as you like.. (think tesla) they also charge way faster.... the only disadvantage is below -4* I live in the south so its not an issue...
Old 11-18-2018, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by ASRoff
https://www.lithiumpros.com/product/...m-ion-battery/



Is what I use... 925 cca alternator up to 120a. and 8 lbs. also its a LI battery.... so internal resistance is way less trust me its WAY more powerful than any Lead acid or AGM drycell. and you can deep cycle is as many times as you like.. (think tesla) they also charge way faster.... the only disadvantage is below -4* I live in the south so its not an issue...
One word of caution with the LI battery - the noted 14.4 volt maximum charging voltage. Not sure why that is so low since the normal alternator voltage regulator output is 14.50 volts +/-0.25 volts. Although it states can be used with alterntors up to 120 Amps, the specification note 100 Amp maximum. Also the 20 Ahr rating is way below that the of stock C5 battery which is 60 Ahr. This maybe a nice battery for a dedicated track car, but it is far from ideal for a street driven C5.

Last edited by JHrinsin; 11-18-2018 at 08:55 AM.
Old 11-18-2018, 09:17 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Mike98SilVert


I have the AutoCraft Platinum AGM Battery. It listed for around $179 less 30% off with their online coupon. Do a search for Advance Auto discount codes. To me it's worth spending a few dollars more on an AGM battery for peace of mind.


Both the AC/Delco and the Advance Auto AGM batteries are made by Johnson Controls. They seem to be about the best value for a Group 78 AGM battery out there.

Just remember that the '97-00 C5 models came from the factory with the Group 78 wet cell battery and the '01-03 models came from the factory with the Group 75 AGM battery. The '97-03 models can be replaced with the Group 78 AGM battery. But the '04 came from the factory with the Group 86 top post battery.
Old 11-18-2018, 01:55 PM
  #34  
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I went with the Duracell AGM Automotive Battery - Group Size 34/78 Item # 347743 Model # 78DTAGM from Sams Club. It was $139.00 and for the money I thought it was a pretty good deal. I have a 2004 and it fits with no issues.
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/duracell-agm-automotive-battery-group-size-78dtagm/prod3590233.ip?xid=plp_product_1_4

Old 11-18-2018, 02:33 PM
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I replaced a Red Top Optima after 4 years this spring. I went with the AC Delco Professional series. I could not justify the cost of the Optima due to my personal experience with them.
Old 11-18-2018, 03:16 PM
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I just bought a Rural King made by Exide AGM78 for $135. Has a 36 month free replacement and 84 month warranty pro-rated. Has 770CCA and 120RC. Sure beats $200 plus for one.
Old 11-18-2018, 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by bluewire
I went with the Duracell AGM Automotive Battery - Group Size 34/78 Item # 347743 Model # 78DTAGM from Sams Club. It was $139.00 and for the money I thought it was a pretty good deal. I have a 2004 and it fits with no issues.
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/duracell-agm-automotive-battery-group-size-78dtagm/prod3590233.ip?xid=plp_product_1_4

Very convenient that the Duracell is a dual terminal design.

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Old 11-18-2018, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by mhanley
I just bought a Rural King made by Exide AGM78 for $135. Has a 36 month free replacement and 84 month warranty pro-rated. Has 770CCA and 120RC. Sure beats $200 plus for one.
The Rual King by Exide has been on my short list for some time now. The only thing that has keep me from pulling the trigger is that it is about 6-7 lbs heavier than the Johnson Controls AGM plus I have an Advance Auto rewards perk to use

Last edited by JHrinsin; 11-19-2018 at 07:41 AM.
Old 11-19-2018, 02:33 AM
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Originally Posted by striper
My last Optima lasted 15 years. I think that was cost effective.
Holy smokes, I went through 3 Optimas in about 6 years on my old 87 C4, swapped to a regular battery and issue resolved, just a bad batch? IDK but Im off Optimas now and with 5 cars I have all Duralast Gold or Platinum except for my newest car which has the OEM battery in it.

My C5Z battery has decided to let go so the car is sitting with a dead one at the moment so keenly watching this thread.
Old 11-21-2018, 12:48 PM
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I will be relocating my battery to the trunk here soon. Car is a nitrous car so extra electrical needs are present in my case (heater...etc)… I don't trust optima anymore since they went to Mexico. Honestly looking into XS Power, specifically the D3400.


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