highender

HEllo guys:

I thought my vette would come with an optima battery...since that was in the photos

but when I got the car, it had an AC Delco Professional 640 CCA, 320 battery. The seller said this battery was better.

I thought Optima red top were better ?!

What do you guys think...or what are your experiences or advice...

thanks

jovette

"Best" is a subjective term..............I prefer an AC Delco for how I use my C5.

rebelheart

AC delco for sure!

bobby777

OPTIMA red top by far

skinny1

If you are going to be showing the car it better to have the original equipment. AC Delco!

LightFighter_GXP

Any battery that you can take back if it doesn't make it to the end of its warranty!!! and its a 10 minute over the counter swap with no hassle... autozone is good for this!!

TEXHAWK0

As more Optima batteries are being used, people are finding that they fail just like any other brand of battery, plus they cost much more.
I would stay with the ACDelco Professional grade battery, which comes with a 50 month, free replacement warranty. The best in the industry.

Since you have a top post battery, you don't need to be concerned about leakage, as has been a problem with the side post batteries.

capevettes

AC/Delco 7 year battery is the way to go

IMO Optimas are alot of hype with a high failure rate.

BELVIN20

I have good results with the Exide Orbital, it is a AGM, so no acid to run out. You can get these at Sams Club, Costco, and BJ's to name a few. I have a local auto parts house carrys the Orbital. I have had one for the last 4yrs. with no problem. I also have 4 of the Orbital in my boat for the last 4yrs as well. I am a believer.

EOS 05

I've had decent results with both.


I like that there's way less acid to splash around if anything breaks in the Optima v the Delco.

Either way, best thing to do is hook the car up to a charger once every week or two so the charge doesn't get too low and kill the battery if you don't use it all the time. A guy at the battery store told me charging constantly would keep heat going through the battery almost all the time which isn't good. I had a dead cell in an Optima in my Z06 probably cause I slacked off on the charge maintenance. It only would charge to 11.3 Volts and would quickly drop off so Ii was pretty sure it had seen better days. No problem getting money back however.

I've killed both kinds of batteries. The big trick is maintenance or constant use. You'll probably be fine either way.

chevylad

If you live in the heat here like Phoenix, the gel cel battery will live 5 years versus 2-3 for any other battery.

thisMSGgood4me

I'd take an AC Delco over an Optima every day of the week. Although they may have a fancier looking case, Optimas are not worth what they cost when you consider the hassle factor in keeping them maintained (IMHO of course).

MyNavyBlue2001

After having an Odyssey dry cell AGM battery in my Yamaha Vmax(motorcycle) for six years running, without charging it or putting a tender on it...I was sold. I got an Optima yellow top about 3 years ago. A year ago, it failed on me on a trip 200 miles from home. Since I got it online, I couldn't swap it out at a auto parts store. I ended buying an Autozone battery to get me home. I came home and tried to charge it, but it wouldn't take a charge. I called Optima and was told that the yellow top had only a 12 month or 24 warranty. I was a little peeved. So, I'll never buy anything from Optima again. I have nothing against sealed batteries...just Optima. My 2 cents...

highender

WOW>..... sorry to start a "war"......but what a civilized bunch we all are...

I thank each and everyone of you. YOu gave me a lot of insight and advice...which I will use .

The seller is a racer, and Optima is one of his sponsors . But he told me that he prefers AC Delco Professional....

I have a 1999 suburban supercharged by Stillen, with two Optima red top batteries...and have not had a problem with them yet.

I guess I will stick with what I have now...the new AC Delco PRof series. I will put it on charger once a week , at the 2 amp slow charge rate.

Thanks again all !!!

Krispy Kreme donuts are on me...with beer or coffee to wash it all down...

PewtVette

I'm still running the original AC Delco in my '02 (it's 7 1/2 years old now). Of course I've been trickle charging for the last 2 years which I'm sure has helped keep it going. Anyway, AC Delco will have my return business.

highender

got it.

seller said to move up to yellow or blue if needed....but I have no problems with the two red top optimas on my suburban.

thanks again,,,guys.

pcbunn

My DieHard Gold is 7yrs plus. Sits on a trickle charger and works fine after all these years.

bestvettever

Hi, it's so nice to see the flame wars come back again every so often. INMO and actually as a matter of fact, in the Hottest areas the best battery for a vehicle is one that can be topped up with water when needed. And Optima is not a Gel Cel battery, it is as stated so many times an AGM which is an acid filled battery that contains it's acid solution in a glass mat medium. It is somewhat common knowledge amongst those that have some knowledge about batteries and the way they work that heat is a killer of batteries because it boils out the water and then the plates buckle and short. A battery that can be topped up with water and is maintained to a proper level will outlast a sealed, and agm any time, in a very hot climate, because they can not be topped up.
My personal preference is the Delco that is Made for the car. It has a great warranty, and if maintained properly as any battery should be to get the most life possible out of them, will last as long as any and more than some. And as an added bonus, it looks like it belongs in the vette.
OK--Got my flame suit on.
Good Luck To All
SEMPER FI--

highender

again...sorry if this is a sore subject. I just wanted each person's honest opinion, without any one stepping on anyone else's toes. I think we all accomplished that.
:-)

no flame wars please....

jimcork1

The first two batteries used in my 99 were the OEM Delco.

The first one died at 12 months, the second one at 18 month leaked in the battery box and on the computer. Took me about 8 hrs clean up.

I replaced with optima red which did not leak but only lasted 10 months. I warranty replaced it and it is now about 3 years old. My question is what is "normal" voltage for this AGM red top battery.

When I turn my ignition on with the dic set for voltage it reads 11.1 volts. I crank the car and it isn't as fast as a new battery but it does start. The voltage never falls below 10 volts while cranking.

Lately it is cranking slower and the voltages are about the same. I suspect the battery reserve capacity (cranking amps) are being reduced due to age.

Does anyone with a red top battery know the voltages for me to compare.

Ignition on lights off
Lowest observed Voltage while cranking for start
Engine running lights off a/c on.? thanks