I've had the same great experiences with the highest level AC Delcos (sometimes called "Gold", sometimes called "Professional"; different names for different groups and/or eras of production I suppose). I currently have one (Group 78) in my '71 that's 7 years old and showing no signs of weakness, I rarely drive this car and, while I do keep the battery disconnected when not in use, I don't keep it on a battery tender. It can sit for 2-3 months over a cold winter and still show 12.55-12.61 volts, even at this age. I see the same sort of wide ranging temps here in northern IL (below zero and up to 100°F), the car sits in a garage but not climate controlled.

I buy the same level of battery (highest level AC Delco) for my '98, but in a Group 75. This car also sits most of the time, I don't keep the battery disconnected but I do hook up a smart charger every 2-3 weeks if I don't drive the car, the battery still has plenty of power to start the engine at that point but I don't want to wait for it to discharge further if I don't end up driving it for another few weeks. I've always changed the battery out every 5-7 years just as a matter of maintenance, but I've never had one actually fail.

In my experience of buying both Group 78s and Group 75s of the same brand and level over many years (decades actually) and for many cars, the slightly larger 78s seem to maintain a higher surface voltage as they age. But, admittedly, I am not using them in the exact same application so there are unregulated variables in this observation. Regardless, I have zero complaints regarding longevity/value of these "Gold/Professional" level AC Delocs and I use them in every vehicle I own for which they are an option. For my daily driver '10 Malibu (Group 90) they only offer a "Silver" version, and the one I bought back in early '16 is still going strong/no signs of weakness.

 

I go to a GM dealership to buy a AC Delco battery ?

 

Of course you can get an AC Delco battery at a dealership. However some independent shops carry them too, just like some shops carry Motorcraft. Just depends on the shop.

 

You can, but I would find a local AC Delco distributor and check with them. I don't remember which state you live in...(I remember what you told me what you do for a living), but I think Delco has a dealer locator on their website. Right now I think there is a $10 mail in rebate on Delco batts if I remember correctly. It isn't a lot, but better than nothing.

 

My TA has actually had the best battery life of all my vehicles. I replaced the first battery at 8 years and the second one after about another 8 years. And that's after sitting for 3 months over winters.

 

The price on those antigravity batteries......................

 

I know, I lived in MS for 4 years. What really sucked was the pollen. You wash your car and in a few hours it's covered in the stuff and looks like dust.

 

What part/city of Mississippi did you live in ?

Im from New Albany... right outside of Tupelo. Elvis home is 20 from my mother house. I now live in Oxford ( Ole Miss) land. I was go buy/install a battery today but its a rainy and gloomy day. Im go wait till next weeked I guess.

 

I lived in Hattiesburg. Had an immaculate 04 SY Cobra back then. I miss going to cruising the coast. Oxford is nice. Only had the chance to visit there once unfortunately.

 

Cruising the coasta is nice.

 

Don’t be like me and ignore the people in here that are telling you that Optima Yellowtop have gone downhill over the years. I don’t know if I’m having bad luck but the last three yellow tops I’ve had only last 2-3 years wheras my first one in 2008 lated easily 5 years.
A few notes in Optimas defense. My car has been on a trickle charger when not in use sits on a trickle charger with a setting that’s specific for that type of battery. Maybe if you are driving multiple times a week or use it as a daily driver you’ll have better luck. Also if you ever let the battery fully die say you leave your headlights on or whatever the battery will never be the same after that in my experience.
interstate batteries kill it in consumer reports and a few youtubers that test out random batteries

 

Interstate ftw

I just looked at the interstate battery in my truck. It's 9 yrs old. I ran it dead the other day because i forgot and left my park lights on. I jumped and and it charged up fine. It actually seems stronger than it was. The truck sets alot to. I only put 3-5 k on it a year.

 

I feel it was stronger than it was too.

 

I used to buy yellowtops, The first couple lasted a REALLY long time. Then I noticed they didn't seem to hang on as long. That's about the time JC bought them and sent production to Mexico.

Last few I've bought have been Deka (east penn) and they've held up really well. They come under several brands. The last couple I bought were the duracell agm ( I'm not entirely sure the non-agm are deka) the sears platinums used to also be deka (also agm) - but they've since changed their line up. All of the deka's have held up really well in my cars. Both daily and the one w/ my 4kw worth of audio system. Some of the interstate batteries are also deka from my understanding and I wouldn't have any problem buying those I just happen to find the duracell at the best price for the group size I needed.

 

This was my experience as well. I had them in several vehicles. In one of them, I let it sit way too long and though I made it serviceable again, it was never the same.

 

330? Cheap WR honestly

 

Yes, the duracell AGM is what I run and it's sold under several different labels. My situation is different as the car sits during the winter with my kill switch set to off, so I just trickle charge it with a battery tender every month or so. The voltage stays very high during storage as there is no parasitic draw. Also during the summer I just leave the kill switch off when not in use.

 

Ended up buying a battery (3 year warranty) from Walmart after watching those project farm videos on Youtube. That guy basically tested alot of brands and the Walmart held its on for the money.

Anyway i put the battery on the truck and it started right up as usual.... now my dam interior light do not want to go off. Im not sure what causes a interior light to stay on. Guess thats what killed my battery in the first place. Right now i have the battery unhooked until i get that interior light deal figured out. If its not one thing its another

 

Broken door switch or interior light switch.

 

I second that although I wouldn't run an anti gravity in a tow truck application. I have had one in my WS6 for about 6-8 months now which isn't long in battery terms but so far it is fantastic. Based on how quick the engine spins over on start the 880 rating is spot on. & even at $330 for a maintenance item if I can get 3-4 years out of it I'll never run anything else in a performance oriented car.