Whats the latest on preferred battery recommendations?

I searched, but most threads were several years old (odd I know)...

Anyway, have an Optima Red Top 75/35 in there now, CCA 720 RC 90...

Thanks...

 

Anything but a Optima redtop, I have one now on it's way out after three years - consumers report rated what I already knew from experience from a few other cars, the Walmart Maxx battery at about $125.

 

At Funfest a few years ago I went to a seminar on some of the C5 electrical problems. One of the things they stated was that many of the problems are because of a too small battery.

They recommended a 120 RC battery due to the parasitic drain our cars have.

I went with a Duration AGM battery in 34/78 size. I got it at a local Farm & Fleet. I am happy with it for four or five years now.

Good luck.

 

I have a Optima Red Top. It is three years old and still going strong.

I needed a proper hold down for it and called Optima and they sent me the hold down kit at no charge. Great customer service.

 

WalMart Maxx is great battery. Red Top is highly overated and expensive I have had the Maxx for two years don't use a trickle charger and go weeks between start ups with zero issues. Your mileage may vary. Can't beat the warranty either.

 

I have been well served by the stock AC delco, but have been thinking of spending unnecessarily on a newer design battery. I might go Agm the next replacement, because the location of the electronics below the battery, and I think the newer tech has matured enough to substitute for a well proven older construction.

Sears has a rebadged odessy battery that looks good to me, and it is powerful enough in the printed specs, some aren't. I think the coil mat construction no longer offers any advantage.

At least that was the scene the last time I checked. The market place keeps changing quickly, I suppose lead manufacturing is not a popular neighbor.

 

Here is a link to my recent thread, lots of good information. I went with the Advance Auto Platinum AGM, Group Size 78. Biggest thing, call around and get the manufacturing dates. Many places have them sitting on the shelves for a long time. It took calling five stores before I found one built within six months of my purchase and more driving to retrieve it.

Link to Battery Discusion

 

^^^

Thanks, don't know why that thread didn't come up in my search....

 

Just replaced my Optima red top last week with another as preventative maintenance. Old one was 10 and 1/2 years old, still starting the car like a champ.

 

I bought my '01 brand new, and after hearing about the issues with the OE batteries leaking, right over a big wire harness, I replaced it after 3 years. I went with an Optima Red Top, initially, and left it in there 5-6 years, then replaced it with another Red Top, 5-6 years ago. (OK, I used to work part time for Advance Auto Parts, and got the employee discount) I guess I'm due for another one...


And NO, I didn't replace them because they failed, I replaced them because C-5s are know to be hard on batteries, and I don't like to be stuck with problems, if you know what I mean. When I pulled the Red Tops from the 'Vette, I put them in my Camaro, and one was still in it when I sold it, last year.

 

When I replaced the battery in my '03 (Optima Red Top that failed at the three year point), I went with a Sears DieHard Platinum. Been an excellent battery for nearly six years now.

I do not think Sears make the Platinum series anymore, but they do have some in the DieHard Gold series that should work well. I'd recommend an AGM battery.

 

Optima, hands down, have been using them since forever w/o issue.

 

What ever battery you get, you should periodically check the voltage with a VOM. Disconnect the leads from the battery and using the VOM check the voltage. When it goes below 12.5V it is time to replace. Many GM seminars on the subject were held several years ago and that was their advice. When the battery is not running, several computers are still operating and drawing juice from the battery. When it goes below 12.5V is when problems start happening...Dead DIC, Theft Deterrent System faulty, etc.

 

My Optima red top was in 99 frc when I bought it in 2010. I don't know how much older it is since I have never had it out of the car but I probably should replace it soon. I will definitely go with an agm with a 120 RC, no more lead acid batteriec for me after one leaked all over my Titan truck.

 

It's pretty simple. Shop around and find the best price/warranty AGM you can find locally. If you decide not to go AGM then buy the best price/warranty battery you can find locally and get an acid absorbing mat and put it under the battery. I only say locally because shipping for a warranty claim and the downtime would kill any possible saving from buying online. If you are comfortable buying online then go that way.

The 120RC is only recommended so you can leave your car parked for a longer period of time. The smaller OEM sized battery, which is possibly a group 74 and around 90RC rated, that many stores will try to sell you will actually work just as well IF you regularly drive your car. You won' gain anything with the bigger battery in this case. BUT, if your car only gets out for a occasional nice weather drive then MAKE SURE you get the 120RC battery, which will likely be a group 78.

The whole story behind the 120RC recommended battery goes something along the lines of it allowing the car to sit a month without being started. There are no other magical properties behind this bigger rating other than this ability to have the car parked for a longer period of time before the battery goes so dead the car won't start.

 

It might be a good move to hook up the battery to a trickle charger such as Ctek chargers if you are not going to drive the car often.

 

Had a Sears Platinum for maybe 6 years now. The C5 can stand about a month and still start. I am told they no longer make them. Sad, as Consumer Reports said they were the best battery they ever tested.

From Wikipedia: "The DieHard Platinum line is made by EnerSys, which also makes its own line of premium Odyssey batteries manufactured in the United States".

I guess that's where I will go when my battery finally exits/

 

I used to pretty much swear by Diehard batteries, but Sears Canada dropped them a long time ago IIRC.
I just researched what's available local; AC Delco, Odyssey, Interstate, WalMart Maxx... The Odyssey priced out almost exactly twice that of the other 3.
I ended up with an AC Delco 78AGM with 115RC, will install tomorrow and see how it treats me (will also be checking for parasitic draws very soon).

 

I run Walmart Maxx batteries in both my truck and my wife's Legacy GT. The truck survives long periods parked and always starts right up in all weathers. No issues at all with those batteries.

BTW, our local Sears Auto shop shut down recently. The Sears store itself though is still in business. Funny actually, as the Auto shop always seemed busier than the store!

Sears now lists a Diehard Gold AGM in size 78. Anyone tried one?

 

But don't forget, different C5 years had different batteries. The early cars had 78's as OEM.