New Exide battery - indestructable terminals
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
New Exide battery - indestructable terminals
I just noticed this new Exide Marathon battery in Popular Mechanics. It has a whopping 108 month warranty and a 40 month free replacement warranty. What impresses me the most after watching the video in their website is the extra protection they incorporate against cracking/leaking terminals and high heat conditions, both of which are responsible for many a C5 no-start condition.
Here's their website:
http://www.marathon.exide.com/index.aspx
Although my 5+ year-old ACDelco AGM is holding steady, I need to plan for the eventual no-start and battery replacement. It sure looks like the Marathon is "in the running".
Dave
Here's their website:
http://www.marathon.exide.com/index.aspx
Although my 5+ year-old ACDelco AGM is holding steady, I need to plan for the eventual no-start and battery replacement. It sure looks like the Marathon is "in the running".
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I have used the "old" exide AGM battery for over 3 years now, no problems. They had "mechanical" side terminals, can't leak.
SAM's Club has the best warrenty on them. I am told some clubs are selling these off for $50, what a deal.
SAM's Club has the best warrenty on them. I am told some clubs are selling these off for $50, what a deal.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Oldvetter
I have used the "old" exide AGM battery for over 3 years now, no problems. They had "mechanical" side terminals, can't leak.
SAM's Club has the best warrenty on them. I am told some clubs are selling these off for $50, what a deal.
SAM's Club has the best warrenty on them. I am told some clubs are selling these off for $50, what a deal.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Originally Posted by Dave68
I wonder if the new Marathon is replacing the Orbital, since some stores are "selling off" the Orbitals.......
I sure hope not. The Marathon is not a spiral-wound battery like the Orbital.
Ed
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
I like my Red Top but,,,,looking back,,,, your not going to go wrong by installing a GOOD quality lead acid battery in a C5!! This new EXIDE looks like it has my vote of confidence!! I have the original OEM (FORD 
) heavy duty battery in my 97 F150! Dude,,,thats just about 10 years!!!!
It starts first time, every time and had NOT given me one second of problems!!!!!!!!!
I don't know who Ford uses as a supplier for their batteries but, they have their battery stuff right!!!
If you do end up installing a standard lead acid battery, I would highly recommend purchasing a battery mat and installing it in the tray under the battery. Thats just a good safety precaution against any chance of leakage!!!!!
BC
BC
) heavy duty battery in my 97 F150! Dude,,,thats just about 10 years!!!! It starts first time, every time and had NOT given me one second of problems!!!!!!!!! I don't know who Ford uses as a supplier for their batteries but, they have their battery stuff right!!!If you do end up installing a standard lead acid battery, I would highly recommend purchasing a battery mat and installing it in the tray under the battery. Thats just a good safety precaution against any chance of leakage!!!!!
BC
BC
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
My AGM gave up the ghost recently, and with a "BANG"!!! I kept it on the Battery Tender for a good amount of time so it wouldn't discharge. Fortunately, no damage to car or electronics. And it happened in the garage so I didn't get stuck with it either. The AGM is a problem waiting to happen, and the way mine failed, I would be concerned about the PCM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
I like my Red Top but,,,,looking back,,,, your not going to go wrong by installing a GOOD quality lead acid battery in a C5!! This new EXIDE looks like it has my vote of confidence!! I have the original OEM (FORD ) heavy duty battery in my 97 F150! Dude,,,thats just about 10 years!!!! It starts first time, every time and had NOT given me one second of problems!!!!!!!!! I don't know who Ford uses as a supplier for their batteries but, they have their battery stuff right!!!
If you do end up installing a standard lead acid battery, I would highly recommend purchasing a battery mat and installing it in the tray under the battery. Thats just a good safety precaution against any chance of leakage!!!!!
BC
BC
) heavy duty battery in my 97 F150! Dude,,,thats just about 10 years!!!! It starts first time, every time and had NOT given me one second of problems!!!!!!!!! I don't know who Ford uses as a supplier for their batteries but, they have their battery stuff right!!!If you do end up installing a standard lead acid battery, I would highly recommend purchasing a battery mat and installing it in the tray under the battery. Thats just a good safety precaution against any chance of leakage!!!!!
BC
BC
My AGM gave up the ghost recently, and with a "BANG"!!! I kept it on the Battery Tender for a good amount of time so it wouldn't discharge. Fortunately, no damage to car or electronics. And it happened in the garage so I didn't get stuck with it either. The AGM is a problem waiting to happen, and the way mine failed, I would be concerned about the PCM.
I sure hope not. The Marathon is not a spiral-wound battery like the Orbital.
Ed
Ed
Last edited by Dave68; Aug 16, 2006 at 03:25 PM.
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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
Just GOOOGLE "Battery Matt"
Here is one for 6 bucks:
http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-...atMat1212.html
Great to hear from you!!!!!
BC
Here is one for 6 bucks:
http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-...atMat1212.html
Great to hear from you!!!!!
BC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by 94legaleagle
Bill Curlee - where can you get the battery mat you mention - which vendors or auto parts stores?
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
Cruncher
I think someone mislead you!!! The OPTIMA Red Top does have acid and it can explode and leak!!!!!! There have been a few forum members who have reported that their Red Tops have over heated and leaked. The only thing really different about the red top is that they have SPIRAL WOUND (ROUND) Cells and are sealed a little better than other batteries.
If your looking for a battery that doesn't have LIQUID ACID, take a look at the ORBITAL or some of the batteries offered by Digikey
http://www.digikey.com/
They have a GEL Acid.
BC
I think someone mislead you!!! The OPTIMA Red Top does have acid and it can explode and leak!!!!!! There have been a few forum members who have reported that their Red Tops have over heated and leaked. The only thing really different about the red top is that they have SPIRAL WOUND (ROUND) Cells and are sealed a little better than other batteries.
If your looking for a battery that doesn't have LIQUID ACID, take a look at the ORBITAL or some of the batteries offered by Digikey
http://www.digikey.com/
They have a GEL Acid.
BC
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 231
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Dave68
I just noticed this new Exide Marathon battery in Popular Mechanics. It has a whopping 108 month warranty and a 40 month free replacement warranty. What impresses me the most after watching the video in their website is the extra protection they incorporate against cracking/leaking terminals and high heat conditions, both of which are responsible for many a C5 no-start condition.
Here's their website:
http://www.marathon.exide.com/index.aspx
Although my 5+ year-old ACDelco AGM is holding steady, I need to plan for the eventual no-start and battery replacement. It sure looks like the Marathon is "in the running".
Dave
Here's their website:
http://www.marathon.exide.com/index.aspx
Although my 5+ year-old ACDelco AGM is holding steady, I need to plan for the eventual no-start and battery replacement. It sure looks like the Marathon is "in the running".
Dave
DH
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Howie,
Doesn't your OEM battery have top posts? The 97-00 batteries were standard front (sometimes called "side") post batteries that, because of overtorquing at the factory, tended to leak acid over time. In 2001, GM started installing AC Delco's new AGM batteries (this is what I have), which were much more leak-resistant. However, infrequent/short drives tended to shorten battery life and sometime in 03, AC Delco ceased making this type of battery. I believe your battery (for the 04s) are standard batteries, but with relocated terminals (top).
Therefore, you are probably perfectly safe using a standard top=post battery. It's the 97-03 guys who need a battery that has very strong front terminals. This is why I think the Exide Marathon or Orbital are excellent choices.
Dave
Doesn't your OEM battery have top posts? The 97-00 batteries were standard front (sometimes called "side") post batteries that, because of overtorquing at the factory, tended to leak acid over time. In 2001, GM started installing AC Delco's new AGM batteries (this is what I have), which were much more leak-resistant. However, infrequent/short drives tended to shorten battery life and sometime in 03, AC Delco ceased making this type of battery. I believe your battery (for the 04s) are standard batteries, but with relocated terminals (top).
Therefore, you are probably perfectly safe using a standard top=post battery. It's the 97-03 guys who need a battery that has very strong front terminals. This is why I think the Exide Marathon or Orbital are excellent choices.
Dave
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
Originally Posted by Dave68
Howie,
Doesn't your OEM battery have top posts? The 97-00 batteries were standard front (sometimes called "side") post batteries that, because of overtorquing at the factory, tended to leak acid over time. In 2001, GM started installing AC Delco's new AGM batteries (this is what I have), which were much more leak-resistant. However, infrequent/short drives tended to shorten battery life and sometime in 03, AC Delco ceased making this type of battery. I believe your battery (for the 04s) are standard batteries, but with relocated terminals (top).
Therefore, you are probably perfectly safe using a standard top=post battery. It's the 97-03 guys who need a battery that has very strong front terminals. This is why I think the Exide Marathon or Orbital are excellent choices.
Dave
Doesn't your OEM battery have top posts? The 97-00 batteries were standard front (sometimes called "side") post batteries that, because of overtorquing at the factory, tended to leak acid over time. In 2001, GM started installing AC Delco's new AGM batteries (this is what I have), which were much more leak-resistant. However, infrequent/short drives tended to shorten battery life and sometime in 03, AC Delco ceased making this type of battery. I believe your battery (for the 04s) are standard batteries, but with relocated terminals (top).
Therefore, you are probably perfectly safe using a standard top=post battery. It's the 97-03 guys who need a battery that has very strong front terminals. This is why I think the Exide Marathon or Orbital are excellent choices.
Dave
Dave has that answer all squared away!!!!
BC
