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Red-Top vs Excide Orbital

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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 10:52 AM
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Default Red-Top vs Excide Orbital

Been Looking at both. Tough call.
Ron
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 12:51 PM
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I have an Orbital in my 2000 HDTP and my Honda mower. Both are about 2 years old with no complaints. They have more of a conventional appearance than does the Optima and cost about the same.

Another option some folks like is the Odyssey. They have a very wide variety of sizes and shapes. They may even be a bit cheaper than both of the above. They seem to have a good reputation. http://www.batterymart.com/c-odyssey.html

Lots of options these days when it comes to batteries. Some of these newer batteries (gel - AGM) when maintained can last more than 10 years. Certainly helps justify the cost. But they are a different animal and to get the most life out of them you need to follow the manufacturers suggestions for charging and maintaining them. Not more difficult, just different...

Good luck... GUSTO
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 01:36 PM
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I went w/ the Orbital. No complaints!
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 09:03 PM
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Orbital. So far it's worked perfect...
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 09:13 PM
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I have the Optima Red Top. It started getting weaker & weaker since Feb this year. The battery was 2 years old this week, yet Pep Boys says it tests ok. I'm buying an Exide Orbital tomorrow. Optima can stick their battery up their a$$.
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 09:16 PM
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Exide has worked for me so far - and was about $18 less than the Optima.
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 09:56 PM
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Which Orbital fits the c-5?
Ron
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 10:08 PM
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Here are some links with info on the Orbital:
http://www.exideworld.com/products/a...t_orbital.html
http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/exide_orbital/
http://www.kingsolar.com/catalog/mfg...orb75dt84.html
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 09:09 AM
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Default Same..Mfg

Originally Posted by 50th year
Been Looking at both. Tough call.
Ron
If i not mistaken the Mfg is the same...Excide
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by kg54trains
If i not mistaken the Mfg is the same...Excide

I don't think this is true, however, Exide did originally develop the technology. I have an Orbital, as does a friend. Very reliable, long-term performance on each. It's all I would now buy.
Ed
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by kg54trains
If i not mistaken the Mfg is the same...Excide
the technology is the same, but I always understood they are made by different companies. The Exide case is different than the Optima - whatever that may reveal.
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by 50th year
Which Orbital fits the c-5?
Ron
my local Sams Club store sold 3 models of Exide. Both of the non-marine batteries will fit a C5 using stock mounting brace.

And maybe the one marine type will fit as well... but I didn't measure that one - so don't know for certain.
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 10:20 AM
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Looks like checker auto sells them here in Tucson. Their web page only shows one with duel terminals. 9 x 7 x 8. Does this sound right?
Ron
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 10:28 AM
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Excide claims the battery will NEVER leak acid. Do you think they will stand behind that when the battery leaks all over you PCM and cost $$$$ to fix?
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by 50th year
Looks like checker auto sells them here in Tucson. Their web page only shows one with duel terminals. 9 x 7 x 8. Does this sound right?
Ron
here's the one I purchased:




though - that number may be a Sams Club specific part number.


.

Last edited by Mike Mercury; Sep 17, 2005 at 11:02 AM.
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 11:05 AM
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more info on the Orbitals sold thru Sams club:
http://www.exideworld.com/News/press..._club_xlt.html

and here:

http://www.exideworld.com/News/press...ms_nascar.html

Last edited by Mike Mercury; Sep 17, 2005 at 11:08 AM.
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 11:41 AM
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I've had the Red Top for about 6 months and no complaints so far!
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To Red-Top vs Excide Orbital

Old Sep 17, 2005 | 12:05 PM
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Wow
The one that their web page lists for the c-5 Sure look different. It shows duel posts on the top and side terminals. ORB75DT84.

Ron
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 50th year
The one that their web page lists for the c-5 Sure look different. It shows duel posts on the top and side terminals. ORB75DT84.

The Excide Orbital at Sam's Club has dual posts on top and side terminals also. NXDT35 is still the correct product number at Sam's Club. I just got back from buying one. It was $95.46 before taxes.
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 06:12 PM
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I know this is going to come back and haunt me one day, BUT

I still have my OEM Y2K battery

fear not, Im replacing it after the winter even if it doesnt need it when I put my AFR 205s on

My wife's Y2K got 5 years 9 months

IF mine has the same luck, Ill fall short of when I replace the heads by 3 months
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