Agm battery
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 115
Likes: 17
From: Summit,Il
Optima red or yellow top. can get them at advance or autozone. You can also get a regular battery, put a battery mat underneath and you'll be find. Also I believe a size 34 will fit. Check the measurement of your battery tray. I know the 04 takes a model 86 but believe a 34 will fit. I went with the battery mat after talking to a battery company. They told me batteries are built a lot better now then before. Most batteries that leaked were the side terminal batteries. 04 have top terminals.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
You certainly can get an AGM battery if you want one.
Truth be told, you dont need one.
The problem with conventional batteries back when the C5 was made ......does......not.....exist.....anymor e.
You havent been able to buy a battery that leaks, in 30 years.
Nothing wrong with putting an AGM......but you would be well served to put a battery that has an RC of at least 120 (instead of the RC 90 that the origional spec (and Red Top Optimas) had/have.
Happy motoring....
Truth be told, you dont need one.
The problem with conventional batteries back when the C5 was made ......does......not.....exist.....anymor e.
You havent been able to buy a battery that leaks, in 30 years.
Nothing wrong with putting an AGM......but you would be well served to put a battery that has an RC of at least 120 (instead of the RC 90 that the origional spec (and Red Top Optimas) had/have.
Happy motoring....
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
I was very recently shopping for an AGM battery, for my Jeep Grand Cherokee. NAPA sells an AGM, made in the USA by East Penn Battery Co, and Champion (formerly just a spark plug supplier) also markets an AGM battery, sold in many auto parts stores, including Pep Boys. I wound up going with the Champion, although not through Pep Boys, but rather an auto parts wholesaler, where an old friend works. The main reason I went with the Champion is because it was highly rated, and considerably less than the NAPA battery.
Having said all this, I can't vouch for either NAPA or Pep Boys stocking an AGM in Corvette sizes....
Having said all this, I can't vouch for either NAPA or Pep Boys stocking an AGM in Corvette sizes....
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Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
An Optima 34/78 fits great. I have Optima Yellow Tops in two of my C5s and one Red Top in the third C5. I also run Yellow Tops in my two Expeditions and a Red Top in my Talon.
As far as the members who say the lead acid battery problem is gone please do a search under leaking battery and see how many threads pop up, you'll be surprised. Your car's computer sits below the battery, an expensive gamble.
As far as the members who say the lead acid battery problem is gone please do a search under leaking battery and see how many threads pop up, you'll be surprised. Your car's computer sits below the battery, an expensive gamble.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 85
Likes: 27
From: Smithtown New York/Naples Florida/Flint Twp. Michigan
Odyssey Battery
I tried the AGM red top. When the power went out at the Florida house and I was gone for the season the charger did not resume charging. It discharged completely and would not come back up when I returned the next season. The charger that GM sells for the vette does not power back up automatically. Make sure that if you use a trickle charger for the off season that you use one that does. I now use the Battery Tender brand with a lead acid battery. I have seen way too many of these red tops returned to the auto parts store. I am still a fan of Gel Batteries, but I only use the Odyssey brand. I own 3 of them now and have never had an issue with them. I have even had one that froze when the charger quit charging on my Generac home generator and after being down all the way for months charged right back up and is still in use today. Yes the cost is high but the reliability is unbeatable. When the lead acid battery dies in my C5 it will be replaced by an Odyssey.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 181
From: North pole
So I had the red top, and that lasted a month. Is the yellow top any better? I was also looking at xs power battery. these are the specs..Weight
46 lb (20.862 kg)
Reserve Capacity
135
Amp Hour
80
Height
7.2 in (182.88 mm)
Width
6.75 in (171.45 mm)
Overall Length (in.)
10.24
Quantity
Sold individually
Battery Terminals
Top
Battery Type
AGM
Battery Usage
Deep cycle/Starting
Volts
12 volts
Cranking Amps at 32 Degrees F
1,000 amps
Cold Cranking Amps
1012
BCI Group Number
34
Manufacturer's Part Number:
D3400
Shipping Weight:
51.53
Package Height:
12
Package Depth:
9.9
Package Width:
8.7
46 lb (20.862 kg)
Reserve Capacity
135
Amp Hour
80
Height
7.2 in (182.88 mm)
Width
6.75 in (171.45 mm)
Overall Length (in.)
10.24
Quantity
Sold individually
Battery Terminals
Top
Battery Type
AGM
Battery Usage
Deep cycle/Starting
Volts
12 volts
Cranking Amps at 32 Degrees F
1,000 amps
Cold Cranking Amps
1012
BCI Group Number
34
Manufacturer's Part Number:
D3400
Shipping Weight:
51.53
Package Height:
12
Package Depth:
9.9
Package Width:
8.7
Last edited by 04zjimc; Mar 11, 2020 at 10:45 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
I put a red top in my car less than three years ago. After sitting a little over a month it was stone dead. This has never happened to me with a covenantal battery in 22 years. It happened twice with five year old battery That sat for much longer than a month. The tender would not bring it up, had to have it charged that did bring it back. So we'll see what happens with it going forward. I don't use a tender when it sits for short periods. I've never had one go dead with in a months time. Not happy with the red top.
Last edited by Fcar 98; Mar 11, 2020 at 12:11 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 85
Likes: 27
From: Smithtown New York/Naples Florida/Flint Twp. Michigan
Voltage Drain
Each year I leave two Odyssey batteries setting in my boat in my garage. One is for starting the 10 hp motor and the other is for Trolling. I leave them without use for seven months. I always check them with a voltmeter to see how much they discharge while I am gone. They are always less than 1 volt down. These batteries have an excellent shelf life. That is only one of the reasons why I use them. My knowledge base on batteries is very high having graduated from the Exide battery training center when I was in the solar photovoltaic business.
Last edited by parrottp; Mar 11, 2020 at 01:08 PM. Reason: Additional Info
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,455
Likes: 916
From: South East
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 181
From: North pole
