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Old 09-20-2020, 03:09 PM
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vette3800
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Default Best Battery

I am struggling to find a decent battery with over 700 CCA with a warranty more than 3 years for my 2004 C5. I had a sealed Die Hard Platinum that lasted 8 years and 3 months and cannot find a decent replacement. Any recommendations?
Old 09-20-2020, 03:17 PM
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wydopnthrtl
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Here is a post I made. You might consider the same battery except go with a AGM version.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-big-3-a.html
Old 09-21-2020, 01:05 PM
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CQRT
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Arizona heat is brutal on batteries , but just replaced by 2 year old Interstate with an Optima Red Top for $250.
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Old 09-21-2020, 01:26 PM
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jackthelad
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Odyssey Extreme 34/78 850 CCA. For many years, Sears sold this battery as the Sears Platinum, but at a lower price and a great warranty. I bought one in probably 2007-8, 12-13 years ago, and it just keeps on going.... Definitely expensive, but short of going Li Ion, the best there is. As and when it dies, I'll be getting another.
Old 09-21-2020, 01:28 PM
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Cubman
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Default Die Hard Platinum equivalent

Die Hard Platinum equivalent 850 cca........... https://www.odysseybattery.com/produ...-34-78-pc1500/
Old 09-21-2020, 05:51 PM
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knewblewkorvette
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I don't care what brand you get, just be sure it's an AGM type. Yes they cost more but they won't possibly leak acid on your car. My personal favorite is the Optima Yellow Top.
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Old 09-21-2020, 07:06 PM
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Fcar 98
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Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
I don't care what brand you get, just be sure it's an AGM type. Yes they cost more but they won't possibly leak acid on your car. My personal favorite is the Optima Yellow Top.
I understand you AGM approach. In my case after 22 years going on 23 with the vette, i never had a problem with a regular battery leaking, They all lasted 5 years and i traded them out if they needed it or not. Except for the last battery i had a optima red top. Stone dead shortly after 3 years. Just put in OEM stock battery ACDelco top of the line, one more thing also add an acid Battery Mat $13 cheep insurance.

Last edited by Fcar 98; 09-21-2020 at 07:08 PM.
Old 09-22-2020, 10:44 AM
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knewblewkorvette
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Thanks for your thought and I understand that the vast majority of lead acid batteries do not leak.
Over the past 17 years on this forum, I've learned not to skimp out on $ buying a lead acid battery on a C5. There are just too many horror stories of the leaking acid on the C5's electronics that are below the battery. If you don't believe me, go to "advance search" then C5 forums and search for "battery leak". Enough stories there that I'll keep buying AGM batteries. Plus, I get great longevity out of the Yellow Tops. I've had not so good of luck with the Red Tops but I currently own two of them. I own four Yellow Tops. I also own a ton of battery tenders
Here is a picture of my latest creation in wiring in a Red Top (Eagle Talon TsiAWD) Yes, that battery is six and a half years old.



Old 09-22-2020, 11:02 AM
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I used this one from Summit, got a great deal and free shipping. ACDelco Professional Battery #88863999 ADO-78AGM

Old 09-24-2020, 12:16 AM
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I had an Optima Red for 17 years, finally died. Was an amazing example of any AGM battery. Choices are basically AGM or not.

Odyssey batteries are best-in-business to give scale.
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Old 09-24-2020, 10:06 AM
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went to a seminar at Carlisle two years ago with Paul Korner, Corvette Mechanic. He explained that C5's are very finicky in the voltage category. He recommended AC Delco 78PSHR due to it having more
reserved voltage than any other battery at the time. He said upon startup that so many different things are done with voltage that if there isn't enough store voltage you get "pull key, 10 seconds" among having
other issues. I bought one and don't have any issues unless I let the car sit for long periods of time (couple of weeks) without the trickle charger.

Even parts guy at the dealer hadn't heard of this battery. The one his computer recommended for my car had far less stored voltage.
Old 09-25-2020, 04:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Fcar 98
I understand you AGM approach. In my case after 22 years going on 23 with the vette, i never had a problem with a regular battery leaking, They all lasted 5 years and i traded them out if they needed it or not. Except for the last battery i had a optima red top. Stone dead shortly after 3 years. Just put in OEM stock battery ACDelco top of the line, one more thing also add an acid Battery Mat $13 cheep insurance.
Yup. This was a problem with the original Delco's they had.......not gonna happen with any battery you buy today......hence....red tops dont matter (no matter what you hear).

The original spec for the C5 was an RC of 90, we found over the years that (due to parasitic drain) and RC of 120 is better.
Any battery with an decent RC will serve you well (like the one you had in for eight years....and the one that I used).


Old 09-25-2020, 09:07 AM
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I just purchased a DieHard Platinum AGM Battery, Group Size 78, 740 CCA from Advanced Auto Parts. It has a 3 yr warranty. Normal price was $200, but they had an online sale for 20% off a few weeks ago, so I got it for $160.
Old 09-25-2020, 10:36 PM
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Get an AGM battery for sure, and Odyssey batteries are very good.
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Old 09-30-2020, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
I don't care what brand you get, just be sure it's an AGM type. Yes they cost more but they won't possibly leak acid on your car. My personal favorite is the Optima Yellow Top.
which model/size yellow top did you use???
Thanks
Old 10-01-2020, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by tbar1963
which model/size yellow top did you use???
Thanks
I use 34/78 size. I use them in the Corvettes as well as in my Ford Expeditions.



As you can see I have the need for a better battery
Old 10-01-2020, 12:30 PM
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jackthelad
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Was doing some garage clear out yesterday and came across the receipt/warranty for my Sears Platinum - installation date 11/08/2008, price $189.99. Still going strong. Best battery? Yep. BUT today's Platinum is not made by the same manufacturer, so don't expect 12 years. To get that battery you have to buy an Odyssey - about $300 or so, IIRC.

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Old 10-01-2020, 03:00 PM
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I got to clean the mess from this flooded lead acid battery yesterday, but yeah, save your money don’t buy AGM, new AC delco’s never leak.
Old 10-01-2020, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by jackthelad
Was doing some garage clear out yesterday and came across the receipt/warranty for my Sears Platinum - installation date 11/08/2008, price $189.99. Still going strong. Best battery? Yep. BUT today's Platinum is not made by the same manufacturer, so don't expect 12 years. To get that battery you have to buy an Odyssey - about $300 or so, IIRC.

FYI - your Diehard IS an Odyssey battery. It was just relabeled for Sears. That joint venture ended 6-7 years ago though. Odyssey batteries are THE best AGM lead acid car battery on the market.
Old 10-02-2020, 04:16 AM
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The *best batter would be lithium, drop some weight. With some seats as the biggest 2 easy weight mods

Last I would run some shorty headers to stay emissions legal and again drop some of that cast iron weight, into nice stainless CARB certified. ANOTHER 15-20 lbs!


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