Best Battery
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 897
Likes: 19
Best Battery
Ok, I'm starting to notice that my stock car battery is starting to loose some strength. What car batteries do you all recommended? Thank you in advance.
Last edited by Pittcorvette; Dec 12, 2016 at 11:43 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 19
From: Sioux Falls South Dakota
I've learned the hard way there are two ways to look at this.
1) You can buy the best of the best battery and pay twice as much as the average battery and maybe get an extra 6 months to a year of life out of it
or
2) By a comparable average battery (AC Delco, Exide, etc.), spend right around $100 (less if you watch for sales) knowing every 3-4 years you'll be replacing batteries
Moral of the story is our vettes chew up batteries. I don't drive mine a lot and when my first battery went out I thought I'll fix this and spent close to $200 on a premium interstate battery toted to be among the best in the industry. Even with the car being plugged into a battery tender when not in use I got just under 3.5 years on that $200 battery.
Then I figured why spend that much on another battery when it's just going to die anyways in a few years so I bought an el-chepo AC Delco battery ($92) matching the cars specs and put that in and with the same process in mind (battery tender attached while not in use) I got another 3.5 years out of it.
I just bought the same AC Delco again in October this year figuring in 3.5 - 4 years I'll have to replace it again.
A better battery won't cure the electronic drain these cars have. In my opinion / experience it makes no sense forking out the extra cash.
1) You can buy the best of the best battery and pay twice as much as the average battery and maybe get an extra 6 months to a year of life out of it
or
2) By a comparable average battery (AC Delco, Exide, etc.), spend right around $100 (less if you watch for sales) knowing every 3-4 years you'll be replacing batteries
Moral of the story is our vettes chew up batteries. I don't drive mine a lot and when my first battery went out I thought I'll fix this and spent close to $200 on a premium interstate battery toted to be among the best in the industry. Even with the car being plugged into a battery tender when not in use I got just under 3.5 years on that $200 battery.
Then I figured why spend that much on another battery when it's just going to die anyways in a few years so I bought an el-chepo AC Delco battery ($92) matching the cars specs and put that in and with the same process in mind (battery tender attached while not in use) I got another 3.5 years out of it.
I just bought the same AC Delco again in October this year figuring in 3.5 - 4 years I'll have to replace it again.
A better battery won't cure the electronic drain these cars have. In my opinion / experience it makes no sense forking out the extra cash.
Last edited by IDSRVIT; Dec 13, 2016 at 06:30 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Last edited by Corvette_Ed; Dec 13, 2016 at 07:05 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I like the idea of it being sealed, no leakage.
Had a Yellow Top in the 4Runner that lasted 11 years in a daily driver. Changed it out heading into a Winter just because I figured I got my money's worth and didn't want any surprises. Oh and I ran an 60 amp draw RF amp too with it.
I have a Red Top in the vette.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 461
Likes: 184
From: Lachute QC
I've had an Optima yellow top in my 2007 for about 5.5 years now, and I have not had any issues with it. Very pleased with it. Yes they are more expensive, but I live in a climate where I can't drive my car year round, so it's sits on a CTEK battery charger for the winter months. I would recommend it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
There are many quality batteries out there to choose from. A well maintained battery is critical to longer battery life. I keep a battery tender on mine if the car isn't going to be driven for several days. While in winter storage, which can be about 4 months where I live, the tender is on it the entire time.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have found that no matter what brand of battery you buy, they all last about the same amount of time, so I go cheap:
Advance Auto Parts "AutoCraft Gold"
Group Size 85, 625 CCA
$ 116.95 - $ 30.00 Internet Coupon Code (RAF51112) = $ 86.95 + tax
Includes a 3 year free replacement warranty
________________________________
Lasts just as long as that OEM Delco battery
.
Advance Auto Parts "AutoCraft Gold"
Group Size 85, 625 CCA
$ 116.95 - $ 30.00 Internet Coupon Code (RAF51112) = $ 86.95 + tax
Includes a 3 year free replacement warranty
________________________________
Lasts just as long as that OEM Delco battery
.
Last edited by Turbo6TA; Dec 13, 2016 at 10:47 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 244
From: carlisle pa
I've learned the hard way there are two ways to look at this.
1) You can buy the best of the best battery and pay twice as much as the average battery and maybe get an extra 6 months to a year of life out of it
or
2) By a comparable average battery (AC Delco, Exide, etc.), spend right around $100 (less if you watch for sales) knowing every 3-4 years you'll be replacing batteries
Moral of the story is our vettes chew up batteries. I don't drive mine a lot and when my first battery went out I thought I'll fix this and spent close to $200 on a premium interstate battery toted to be among the best in the industry. Even with the car being plugged into a battery tender when not in use I got just under 3.5 years on that $200 battery.
Then I figured why spend that much on another battery when it's just going to die anyways in a few years so I bought an el-chepo AC Delco battery ($92) matching the cars specs and put that in and with the same process in mind (battery tender attached while not in use) I got another 3.5 years out of it.
I just bought the same AC Delco again in October this year figuring in 3.5 - 4 years I'll have to replace it again.
A better battery won't cure the electronic drain these cars have. In my opinion / experience it makes no sense forking out the extra cash.
1) You can buy the best of the best battery and pay twice as much as the average battery and maybe get an extra 6 months to a year of life out of it
or
2) By a comparable average battery (AC Delco, Exide, etc.), spend right around $100 (less if you watch for sales) knowing every 3-4 years you'll be replacing batteries
Moral of the story is our vettes chew up batteries. I don't drive mine a lot and when my first battery went out I thought I'll fix this and spent close to $200 on a premium interstate battery toted to be among the best in the industry. Even with the car being plugged into a battery tender when not in use I got just under 3.5 years on that $200 battery.
Then I figured why spend that much on another battery when it's just going to die anyways in a few years so I bought an el-chepo AC Delco battery ($92) matching the cars specs and put that in and with the same process in mind (battery tender attached while not in use) I got another 3.5 years out of it.
I just bought the same AC Delco again in October this year figuring in 3.5 - 4 years I'll have to replace it again.
A better battery won't cure the electronic drain these cars have. In my opinion / experience it makes no sense forking out the extra cash.
AC Delco has lasted me 4-5 years, on a tender of course. I found the same thing with my Harley's, went cheaper and replace them every year or two or go with the Harley (not sure who makes it for them) and they last at least 3 years. I'm sure you are aware a tender is the key for our cars...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: New Lebanon.Ohio
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There are many quality batteries out there to choose from. A well maintained battery is critical to longer battery life. I keep a battery tender on mine if the car isn't going to be driven for several days. While in winter storage, which can be about 4 months where I live, the tender is on it the entire time.
I do the same as this,bought a new Delco Battery for my 09 in Sept,16
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 243
From: Surprise, Az
It isn't so much the battery as it is the battery tender. I would go with the AC Delco, guaranteed to fit and reasonable cost. I would then look for a battery tender that has a float voltage of about 13.2 volts, or as close as you can get. Big hint, check Deltan and compare with the others you find in the marketplace.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 176
From: Kernersville NC
Original lasted six years, died in my garage. Put another AC Delco in and used it for five years. Changed it out just for peace of mind, it was working fine. On my third now. No reason to change. Never used a tender either. Also, my dealership was at or close to the best price so no reason to change.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 897
Likes: 19
Battery
Original lasted six years, died in my garage. Put another AC Delco in and used it for five years. Changed it out just for peace of mind, it was working fine. On my third now. No reason to change. Never used a tender either. Also, my dealership was at or close to the best price so no reason to change.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 25,239
Likes: 451
From: Sun Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '03-'26