Ralphyboy

I've always used Sears batteries as replacements in all my vehicles, and never had one fail. There is a company called Battery Tender which makes a charger which has a chip that maintains the proper levels for the battery. I used it in my 93 for several years, and now in my 03 last winter, and it worked perfectly. Some other "trickle" chargers may not necessarily charge, and then maintain the battery as well. I don't know, but I do know this product worked, and at $ 29, it was worth it. The Optima's , from what I have read here are inconsistent. Some guys love them, but I noticed alot of people had them fail early, and even had the replacements fail.

Rans03

Exide Orbital here

LoneStarFRC

Mine's almost 4yrs old now (34/78) and is still going strong.

I agree w/DeeGee. Too many people blaming batteries for other problems in the vehicle(s).

BiggieBoy

I went through 3 Optima Red Tops in 4.5 years--dead cell--dead cell--dead cell. Had my car checked for the usual stuff--bad charging system, poor grounds, etc., etc. Everything checked out as normal. Went to a Sears DieHard Gold two years ago and have had absolutely ZERO problems. It's pretty had to convince me that Optima batteries are "the battery gift to the automotive world." I still wouldn't have one if you gave it to me for free...

finallyownone

Thank for all the replies and advice. I think for now since the only battery around is an AC delco 720 I will give it a shot.

LoneStarFRC

Anything's possible with any battery manufacturer once in awhile (remember Delco?), but do Optimas merit the "Overpriced POS..." comment? I think not.

MY03Vette

Hmmmm... My sears said hey did not make one that fit the C5??? Maybe time to check again....

DeeGee

This is one of those topics, like when do you change your oil, that you'll get plenty of different views

My only worry is that there are a lot of owners out there with AC Delcos which are 4 years old or older who in my view are sitting on a ticking time bomb. Those batteries leak; period. When they do, they cause a lot of damge. Just look at Toxdoc's pictures.

Look at those figures from the poll. Of 345 AC Delcos, 116 died and another 25 caused damage. I've had a leaky battery and its no fun. Thats not a good advertisement for AC Delco IMHO.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503

I'm all for choice and I'm sure from what people say, the newer ACDs are better. It's up to each of us which battery we choose.

All that said, I'll keep suggesting that owners with an old AC Delco change it as a precaution.

Oh and I won't mention CLB

sjc*2

Second season on exide orbital. Its there every time even after winter storage on battery tender.

Vetteman Jack

I've had a Red Top in mine for 5.5 years now and it still is going strong. But, I do keep it hooked to a Battery Tender when in the garage. Some have mentioned quick failures on their Red Tops, and have switched to Exide Orbital batteries.

04cad

I must be lucky, I usually buy Wally world, no Corvette tax and only once had any problem and when I did they have a great no hassle warranty at any Wally world anywhere. I used these in my race car for years, the car didn't even have an alternator, I would unload, hot lap, race the complete night without recharging, two or three races, unload and wash then put into garage and then trickle charge during the week til the next race. On my Vette I never use a battery tender (start it occasionally in the winter to lubricate the parts and keep the gas flushed through the injectors), drive it maybe once every two weeks in the summer and rarely have to bother with the battery at all. Now that I have bragged on it, it probably won't start the next time I try it.

fastedc5

I just replaced my 3.5 yr. old Delco with an Interstate Megatron Plus #75/35. At $90 it is half the cost of an Optima. Johnson Controls manufactures both batteries.

MY03Vette

Sorta off-topic, but went to check Sears again and they do make a platinum, but they did not have any. Was just going to get a gold, but they are listing OEM CCA @ 600AMP and the Gold was 550 AMP, so I dicided to see what the Delco was in there. Got home and checked and the Delco is 500AMP. What is the original battery supposed to be?