Redfox340 Posted February 23, 2003 Report Share Posted February 23, 2003 Now, I don't specialized in electrical engineering but I know my car's electrical system needs a new battery. This morning my 3+ year old AC Delco maintenance free battery struggled to crank the car over at 10 degrees F. Plus, during last summer in the heat wave that we had, I lost valuable voltage that made it difficult for the car to run basic operations like HVAC and turn signals without serious dimming and surges. I've read around and depending on application when to use an Optima (insert color) top battery. Now, I don't run much on accessories, (in fact, I still run the stock stereo) but would a deep cycle (yellow top) be a better choice to keep a more stable voltage output? along with cold-cranking amps? These recent posts are somewhat related written by gmrulz4u... personal testimonies and positive / negative feedback is wanted. Thank you, you guys are life-savers! http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1655&highlight= http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1643&highlight= http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1092&highlight= http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=581&highlight= http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=467&highlight= http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=477&highlight= http://www.w-body.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=403&highlight= - RedFox340 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinski Posted February 23, 2003 Report Share Posted February 23, 2003 I have a Napa version of an Optima. The thing I like is you can fully discharge/recharge it 100 times before it dies as opposed to 2-3 times like a normal battery. Plus you can drill a hole in the side and it will still work since its full of gel instead of liquid. They also told me it recharges to 95% in 5min normal driving. I don't know if I beleive that time exactly but I think I have noticed it does charge quick and starts my car promptly, even when the temp outside was 0F with -25F windchill here for a week. I like having the top posts for hooking up accessories too. Pretty much I like the deep cycle batteries and would reccomen them for anyone with above stock electrical needs (stereo/fog lights/ect). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musthavemuzk Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 when i purchased my cutty last may it had an interstate batt in it. come late summer i decided it would be a good idea to get a new batt as winters are not verry nice up here. with lookin at the batt i figured i had no choise as it was 6 years old according to the punches removed from the top of the batt date card. i looked at interstate, diehard, optima and ACDelco. i am into car audio and i wanted top and side posts. price of a new yellow top optima was 200. a red top optima was 150. the interstate was 75, the ACDelco was 92 or so and the diehard i wanted was slightly more than a hundred. for the time being i went with the ACDelco as it has a 7 year 24 month free replacement. now onto my question for you. why not just replace it under warrantee? i am guessing you will get partial replacement value. are there gremlins in your electrical system to have killed this batt prematurely? temp this morning for me at 6am was -21 F wind chill took it to -42. it has been on and off with temps like this for about a month. so far car has started right up. no block heater which i am sure would help out. Monty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted February 25, 2003 Report Share Posted February 25, 2003 I have a 4 1/2 year old 24 month, 550-CCA, K-mart cheapy....$36. I don't remember the brand. It's the usual cheap ones at K-mart. Still starts well in -12 F*. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPRACER Posted February 28, 2003 Report Share Posted February 28, 2003 I still have the original GM Delco bat. in my car 8 years and 123,000 kilometers. Started the car this morning at -25c perfectly. If I were to replace it I would definately go with the AC Delco again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeZ34 Posted February 28, 2003 Report Share Posted February 28, 2003 I've got a Delco.. but it will soon be replaced by a Exide Orbital. I had one of those in my Lumina, and I loved it. Spent the afternooon cleaning the car (4-5 hours) one day with the doors open, and the stereo on, and it never went down at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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