Optima Batteries, Which One?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
The AC Delco Professional 7 year battery is guaranteed not to leak. Each on is actually leak tested during manufacturing to ensure they are tight. Do a search for them, and you will find the website that states this fact.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Jun 25, 2009 at 04:23 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
I did voltage discharge tests on my Red Top like a mad scientist, and found that they seem to discharge while sitting much faster than a normal lead acid battery. After about 10 days the voltage dropped to 12.2 volts, which is a pretty fast voltage drop for only 10 days. With the new ACDelco 7 year, the voltage drops to 12.6 after 3 weeks. Optima batteries don't seem to hold a charge very well ... even when they are new ... and with age they get noticeably worse from what I've measured first hand.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 40
From: Edmonton Alberta
My Delco leaked, (purchased in April 2008 from GM Dealership). Found the acid pooled up on the battery mat that I had installed, prevented it from reaching the electronics underneath though.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Ohio
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
It amazes me that people spend 150-200 on a stinkin' battery.
My 01' had a $50 walmart 3 year battery in it when I bought it 3 years ago and its still going strong. Ive run it down completely dead at least 3 times and it always takes a charge.
The leaky delco battery were a design flaw that was taken care of via an updated design. With all the bad luck stories about Optimas, the price doesn't make any sense. Especially since anyone that has them will tell you you have to have a float charger as well if it isnt a DD.
So what are we up to now $150-200 plus a $60 brand name float charger? No thanks.
My 01' had a $50 walmart 3 year battery in it when I bought it 3 years ago and its still going strong. Ive run it down completely dead at least 3 times and it always takes a charge.
The leaky delco battery were a design flaw that was taken care of via an updated design. With all the bad luck stories about Optimas, the price doesn't make any sense. Especially since anyone that has them will tell you you have to have a float charger as well if it isnt a DD.
So what are we up to now $150-200 plus a $60 brand name float charger? No thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
There is a major flaw in your comparison. People don't buy Corvettes for "transportation", they by them for fun and the passion.
The cheaper and more reliable Delco battery does more and performs better than the much more expensive, less reliable Optimas do.
Along those lines, the same can be said for the Corvette vs. its competition. And they are even "cheap" when you look at used ones.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
I bought mine for transportation and fun just like all of my vehicles including my Mini-van is also for Fun.
I know a few people that own Corvettes and it is their only car so that would be transportation then.
Dont just assume everybody that owns a Corvette just drives it for fun only, ever take your Corvette to work or the store? That would be transportation use. Fun would be driving only!
I know a few people that own Corvettes and it is their only car so that would be transportation then.
Dont just assume everybody that owns a Corvette just drives it for fun only, ever take your Corvette to work or the store? That would be transportation use. Fun would be driving only!
There is a major flaw in your comparison. People don't buy Corvettes for "transportation", they by them for fun and the passion.
The cheaper and more reliable Delco battery does more and performs better than the much more expensive, less reliable Optimas do.
Along those lines, the same can be said for the Corvette vs. its competition. And they are even "cheap" when you look at used ones.
The cheaper and more reliable Delco battery does more and performs better than the much more expensive, less reliable Optimas do.
Along those lines, the same can be said for the Corvette vs. its competition. And they are even "cheap" when you look at used ones.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
I bought mine for transportation and fun just like all of my vehicles including my Mini-van is also for Fun.
I know a few people that own Corvettes and it is their only car so that would be transportation then.
Dont just assume everybody that owns a Corvette just drives it for fun only, ever take your Corvette to work or the store? That would be transportation use. Fun would be driving only!
I know a few people that own Corvettes and it is their only car so that would be transportation then.
Dont just assume everybody that owns a Corvette just drives it for fun only, ever take your Corvette to work or the store? That would be transportation use. Fun would be driving only!
Last edited by Chevy Guy; Jul 7, 2009 at 04:04 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
I bought mine for transportation and fun just like all of my vehicles including my Mini-van is also for Fun.
I know a few people that own Corvettes and it is their only car so that would be transportation then.
Dont just assume everybody that owns a Corvette just drives it for fun only, ever take your Corvette to work or the store? That would be transportation use. Fun would be driving only!
I know a few people that own Corvettes and it is their only car so that would be transportation then.
Dont just assume everybody that owns a Corvette just drives it for fun only, ever take your Corvette to work or the store? That would be transportation use. Fun would be driving only!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
Regardless of what battery I chose, I would buy from a box store for the ease of returns if it is ever needed. The pep boys near me has Delco, Optimas, and Duracell auto batteries and their price is always competitive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,267
Likes: 40
From: Phoenix AZ
Just put a redtop optima in the vette.
Have had one in the truck for years. Last year at teh lake, I pulled the boat out and then a few minutes later noticed the battery light was on (on the dash). Alternator took a dump. Drove home towing the boat at night with the lights on for 45 minutes and the optima got me home....was at like 9.8 volts
Have had one in the truck for years. Last year at teh lake, I pulled the boat out and then a few minutes later noticed the battery light was on (on the dash). Alternator took a dump. Drove home towing the boat at night with the lights on for 45 minutes and the optima got me home....was at like 9.8 volts
