Mean Green

what's the difference between the red top and the yellow top, besides the obvious ;) :jester :cheers:

Jim 47

I have a yellow top, and to my recolection the yellow top is a "deep cycle" battery capable of taking many complete discharges and still being able to be fully charged and operate normally, while the red top is similar to a regular liquid acid battery. I can't find the paperwork that was with the battery, but if I do I'll share it with you. :)

tds69tx

On the contrary---they are both totally sealed gel batteries---one being a deep cycle and the other higher amperage for cranking. :cheers:

Mean Green

is there a better choice for our cars?

do most go with the yellow or the red?

:cheers:

Duck916

I believe the deep cycle (yellow top) is better for people who use the battery for power when the car is off, such as folks demo-ing stereos at shows and such. If you just want the car to start reliably, I believe the red top is the way to go.

tds69tx

Who has the best deal on these batteries. I went to Sam's and they didn't carry them. Any ideas? :chevy

Jim 47

OK, found the borchure that came with the battery.

The Yellow top Deep Cycle Battery is recommended for :;Racing vehicles without a charging system, Diesel powered vehicles, Car audio applications, Electric vehicles, Heavy equipment with hydraulics, Any application where the battery is repeatedly deep discharged and recharged will require a "Deep Discharge" battery such as the yellow top.

The Red Top is recommended for; Automotive starting,, Recreational vehicles for under hood starting applications. Otherwise "normal" applications. It also says that "A deeper average discharge on a battery will result in fewer cycles over the battery's life."

Hope this helps. :D

tds69tx

Thanks Jim--

What kind of price did you get on yours? :cheers:

Jim 47

Yes tds69tx, both the red top and the yellow top batteries are sealed SPIRALCELL technonoghy jell batteries. :yesnod: What I was trying to say was that the red top performed more like a regular liquid acid battery, while the yellow top was a deep cycle battery. :) Sorry for my misleading statement.

For normal driving the red top battery should be completely adequate.

DAWS C5

LAPD our forum vendor sells both types. Red for $110, yellow for $130. :seeya

Mean Green

thanks guys :cheers:

HOCKEY

Can you buy at a Local Auto Store.

SoonerC5

I got my Optima Red Top battery from LAPD with overnight delivery!

Go with them....

ghost.rider

Yep, the only thing is, someone needs to be home since FedEx won't leave it w/o a sig or you can go to the FedEx warehouse and pick it up later that day :yesnod: :lol:

weaver

My red top was delivered on Friday, and no one was home to sign for it. So, at least in my case, a signature was not required.

Fang S-289

Pep Brothers sells the red top, $119.95 as I recall. So does the local Interstate Batteries distributor and Batteries Plus, same price I think. One of our "Costco" (Price Club) stores sells the red top as well. The price was lower. I don't remember if it was $100 or $110.

Dave68

Keep in mind that recently, the Road & Track editors researched current OEM and after-market battery technology and found AGM - type batteries were designed to outlast both lead-acid and gel-cell (spirol-wound) batteries. One guy had an AGM in his Mazda Miata that lasted 11+ years. Granted, it is located in the trunk, but even so, you can bet that AGMs were developed as the latest and greatest after gel-cells were out and about as alternative replacement batteries.

Yes, AGMs haven't been around (in C5s) long enough for us to see just how long they will last, but if the AGMs in Miatas are any kind of example, we'll be likely to see a significant improvement in life over any of the competition's batteries.

BTW, deep-cylcle batteries generally have a shorter life than standard-type batteries if both are maintained properly.

C5Rated

Went with LAPD here also for a Red Top. Can't go wrong with either. LAPD gives great price and service in my opinion.

Try to get the battery cover if you can. I had to contact Optima to get mine but it makes for a VERY CLEAN look.

OldmanandtheC5

I was told that for assured starting on a non-daily driver, the yellow top was the way to go. On a daily driver, the red top will suffice.

Purerock105

I've seen it for $109 at Pep Boys here locally.

WHAT? No green top? :cry It's an OUTRAGE!!! :lol:

:jester