Sounds like an oxymoron!
Battery Died
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 51
From: Gastonia North Carolina
Battery Died
Drove the z06 yesterday to a small cruise in. Ran fine, today drove the car to my brother-in-laws and it cranked no problem. Went to leave click click click. The info center displayed LOW VOLTAGE, showing about 8-9 volts on the gauge?
Hooked jumper cables to it and it fired right up. The gauge was reading 13-13.5 volts while the car was running. That told me the alt was charging.
The car has an AC Delco 78-6yr battery in it. The car is an 02 with 36,000 miles.
Question is this the stock battery?
2nd question do I put another AC Delco in or Optima red or Optima Yellow?
Give me some advice on what to buy.
Hooked jumper cables to it and it fired right up. The gauge was reading 13-13.5 volts while the car was running. That told me the alt was charging.
The car has an AC Delco 78-6yr battery in it. The car is an 02 with 36,000 miles.
Question is this the stock battery?
2nd question do I put another AC Delco in or Optima red or Optima Yellow?
Give me some advice on what to buy.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 51
From: Gastonia North Carolina
What is the part number of the optima battery? Are the Optima's direct drop in or do they require a Spacer?
Just went out and decoded the AC Delco It was Febuary 2005. So it wasn't the original but it lasted 7 years. Most batteries now only live 3 years. So I'd say the first owner got his "monies worth".
Just went out and decoded the AC Delco It was Febuary 2005. So it wasn't the original but it lasted 7 years. Most batteries now only live 3 years. So I'd say the first owner got his "monies worth".
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,109
Likes: 4,137
From: Kannapolis NC
Seems to me like you answered your own question if you had an AC Delco last 7 years. I had the same thing happen on an 03 and I replaced it with another AC. I've had no problems and until I do, I'll stick with them.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
From: Tulsa OK
I use Diehards and have no complaints. I also use a battery tender if it's going to be a couple of weeks or more between outings 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
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 drank the RED TOP cool aid a long time ago. Sure,, its a good battery but so are a lot of the other ones at HALF THE PRICE. We don’t have to mount our batteries UP SIDE DOWN, there NOT exposed to a lot of excessive vibrations and they don’t get submerged in mud and water. 
A standard high quality lead acid battery will do you fine. Oh,, by the way,,, the OPTIMA is a lead acid battery. The cells are just wound in a spiral instead of standard flat plates .
I Was in AutoZone at the checkout counter and almost dropped a load when I saw that the Red Tops were $199
When I purchased mine back in 2004, it was $102.
I just purchased the Duralast Premium battery for my 02 Z and couldn’t be happier! Just get a battery with a high reserve capacity and you will be all set.
It’s a DIRECT DROP IN, no hassle, works fine lasts a long time battery and it didn’t break the bank.
BC
A standard high quality lead acid battery will do you fine. Oh,, by the way,,, the OPTIMA is a lead acid battery. The cells are just wound in a spiral instead of standard flat plates .I Was in AutoZone at the checkout counter and almost dropped a load when I saw that the Red Tops were $199
When I purchased mine back in 2004, it was $102.I just purchased the Duralast Premium battery for my 02 Z and couldn’t be happier! Just get a battery with a high reserve capacity and you will be all set.
It’s a DIRECT DROP IN, no hassle, works fine lasts a long time battery and it didn’t break the bank.
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 1
From: Highland Village TX
The original battery in my 06 C6 lasted 3 years...replaced with a Duralast, installed a tender, and 2 years and 10 months later it is dead...has a short in in my opinion. Batter tester fluctuates wildly...Was going to look at the yellow top Optima...but will not pay 200 bucks for one.
I would consider the suggested Sears battery, but I put 3 of them in my Motor Home 2 years ago...2 of the 3 are kaput...
Looking for other suggestions...
I would consider the suggested Sears battery, but I put 3 of them in my Motor Home 2 years ago...2 of the 3 are kaput...
Looking for other suggestions...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
I've had pretty good luck with the Optima Red Tops, but they are a lot more expensive now than they used to be, (but then again - so are Die Hards) and I'll admit that I got a bad Optima battery a number of years ago that failed on the second start up after installing - it was replaced under Warranty - no questions asked. I think some of the chain Auto Parts stores carry the Optimas and will give you a discount if you order on-line and pick up in the store (Advance Auto Parts did this earlier this year this). BUT - there are certainly other quality batteries out there. Since I've had more than one battery fail while under warranty, one important thing to me is how easy will it be to get the battery replaced under warranty if it fails, and are there places that will honor the battery warranty if I'm away from home if/when it decides to fail.
I see absolutely no advantage to the Yellow Top Optima unless you are regularly discharging the battery by listening to the stereo etc with the motor off.
I see absolutely no advantage to the Yellow Top Optima unless you are regularly discharging the battery by listening to the stereo etc with the motor off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Maybe off topic, but does anyone run a lightweight battery? Like the Odyssey brand? I have no knowledge on them, but I have heard there are some that do what a normal battery does and last about as long. They weigh about a third of a normal battery so I hear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
I have had Walmart batteries in all my cars and trucks...no problems that I didn't cause myself(turned the interior lights on with the dash dimmer switch, and FORGOT it)
They replaced them FREE...everytime!
They are U.S. made batteries from Wisconsin (I think?)