Dr. Pham

I posted this under a past post and got no responses so thought I'd post it here. I searched through some past posts on the AGM battery situation, but didn't really come across anything that addressed this...

GM has replacement AGM batteries for the 9" AGM's Cat# 2277. Now the question is which one... 78P7YR or 78H6YR?

I read a tip on the forum dated 10-8-2002 that mentions the 78P-7YR, but then on the C5 Registry I read this:
"Thursday June 19, 2003
More Power To You!!!
Thanks goodness! GM is listening after paying a bunch of warranty claims on their AGM battery!

It is well known that the AGM battery 9" size (catalog #2277) installed as OEM equipment for the last several years in C5 Corvettes has been, in our opinion, a discharging malfunction. It’s known for leaking from the terminal bolt-in points and if you don’t drive your C5 daily, it loses power quickly. The final insult is if you ever have to have it replaced under warranty the dealer never has one in stock so they must always "overnight" one as a replacement part from Delco, so that you lose the use of your C5 (the Corvette of your dreams!) for another day!

Now, for the good news! # 78-H6YR has arrived and is the warranty replacement for the AGM! Who is the new power source on the block? It is a brand new 675 cold cranking amps (compared to the AGMs 500 cold cranking amps) 10" monster (vs. 9" AGM) with a 110 minute reserve (AGM only gave us an 80 minute reserve). This side terminal black beauty with carry handle has arrived! And not a minute too soon!


So, when your AGM fails (and we know it will!) start memorizing the number 78-H6YR.

You and your dealer will be glad you did!"

So which is it 78P-7YR or 78-H6YR?

And also can I just go into my dealer and say "My battery hasn't leaked yet and screwed up my computer, but we both that it will...can you just replace it now under warranty?" Will they even do this?

And yes I know about the Optima Red Top...My second choice, but would rather stick with Delco as my first choice.

Thanks guys! And sorry if this is a dead horse subject for some of you.

0vetteshop

I have never seen the AGM leak :confused: but I have replaced many dead ones :yesnod:

No,they wont replace it because it "might" fail :cheers:

WILDONETHIRTYSEVEN

Forget Delco go Optima :thumbs: :hurray:

knewblewkorvette

"2 recommended replacements?"
I have two for you, Optima Yellow or Optima Red :smash:

Bill Dearborn

I went with the 7 year battery after the original Delco in my 97 went out earlier this year. When I bought the 2003 I swapped batteries so I could keep the 7 year battery in the new car. If I remember correctly the P stands for Platnum.
Bill


[Modified by Bill Dearborn, 12:11 AM 8/5/2003]

Tom/99

This past November I replaced the battery in my 99 Coupe with a Delco 78P-7YR battery. My origional battery was still good, I just didn't want to wait for a battery failure or the dreaded leak.

wwashing

If this replacement AGM is so good, why are the 2004s coming with the old style wet batteries with top posts. Do yourself a favor, get one of those if you must have Delco, or get one of the other manufacture's (Champion, Optima, etc.) gel battery.

ProDesign

The Battery you should use is the 78P7YR which is the AGM model (you can verify this at the ACDelco).

The 78H6YR is the standard battery that can possibly leak.


[Modified by ProDesign, 1:46 PM 8/5/2003]

Dr. Pham

Thanks for the responses guys! Lots of great info here!

C-5 Tech, when you replace all those batteries what do you end up replacing them with?

WILDONE37 and knewblewkorvette, I hear you re: the Optimas...I'll have to compare price and specs between them and the Delco.

Bill Dearborn, so the 78P-7YR means it's a group size 78 battery with Platinum construction/part and is a 7 year rating? And so the 78-H6YR is a group size 78, whatever "H" stands for and is a 6 year battery?

Tom/99, That's my current thinking now..."preventative" replacement.

wwashing, good point...I did not know that. So the 2004s no longer use AGM? Gel batteries make so much more sense, especially when the comptuer is sitting right underneath it!

ProDesign, I thought both the 78P7YR and 78H6YR were AGM batteries. If that is not the case and based on other posts it seems like if I want to stay with Delco then I should go with 78P7YR. If not Delco then Optima Red Top would be the way to go.

Thanks for all the responses...you guys really helped me out...I'll do a little more research between the Optima Red Top and 78P7YR and then make a decision.

0vetteshop

"C-5 Tech, when you replace all those batteries what do you end up replacing them with?"

If the vehicle is under warranty,we have to replace the battery with what it is equipped with from the factory or the claim will be kicked back.On the 2001 and newer,that would be the 78P7YR AGM glass-mat:yesnod: The 78H6YR is not an AGM battery and has the potenial to leak acid,though it has more cranking amps.There is only one AGM :yesnod:

GM has called back every AGM battery that I have replaced to inspect,and the 2004 no longer has it...Maybe they know something we dont ;)

Wah

If mine failed and if GM wouldn't replace it under warranty, I'd just get one of those lightweight AGM batteries. I know one that weighs only 13.5 lbs and can fit in one of the side cubby holes in the back, which in turn will slightly improve the weight distribution and reduce the weight slightly.

Bill Dearborn

One thing I noticed when I swapped batteries between the 97 and the 03. The original AGM battery in the 03 was smaller than the 78P7YR battery. Even though it had no handle it was easier to get in and out of the cars than the replacement battery.

By the way, over the years I have had two Delco Freedom batteries leak on me. One was in a 91 Bravada that went 4.5 years and then left me stranded when the positive battery post fell out of the battery and the other was my 99 Tahoe which went 2 years and had the same thing happen. The dealer replaced it with a regular Delco 6 yr battery. I never had a problem with the replacements or any of the other Delco batteries I owned over the last 24 years.
Bill


[Modified by Bill Dearborn, 10:40 PM 8/5/2003]

Dr. Pham

C-5 Tech, hmmm...that last bit of info is very interesting...so is it a full blown recall?

Bill Dearborn, thanks for the testimonial...I always thought of Delcos as good batteries...

The plot thickens...so I did a little research...

One weird thing that came out of it is that the Battery Application selector on the Optima Site lists NO matching batteries for C5s from 2001-2003. I happen to have a 2001. But they list a 34/78 red top for 1997-2000. What's wrong with this picture? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think there was a battery mounting change from 2000 to 2001. And I'm sure there are 2001 and later C5s out there running red tops.

Anyway in here is what I dug up between the Optima Red Top and the Delco AGM:

Delco AGM 78P-7YR
CCA: 650
lbs: 38.1
reserve capacity: 95 mins
cost: $99.90
Years: 7

Pros: Original Equipment feel, guaranteed fit, 7 year battery, no top terminals

Cons: Much lower CCA compared to Optima Red Top, AGM batteries being called back to re-inspect and 2004 Vettes no longer have them...why?


Optima Red Top 34/78
CCA: 800
lbs: 38.8
reserve capacity: 104 mins
cost: $104.95
Years: ??? (can someone fill in?)

Pros: High CCA rating, great reputation, does not have quality problems like some of the Delcos

Cons: Side terminals AND Top terminals, Optima site says no model available for 2001 Vette (sure it will fit?), What's the year rating?

So what do you guys think?


[Modified by Dr. Pham, 12:42 AM 8/7/2003]

knewblewkorvette

Trust me, the Optima fits perfect in my 2002 coupe. I have a yellow top in vette but red is fine too, use those in my Talon TsiAWD.
They have full replacement for 2-3 years then prorated to 7 years.
Get Optima!!! Will never leak and cause major damage to the vette and the warrenty will not be used Top post are a plus for upgraged lights or stereo add ons im