Battery question
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: cookeville, TN
Battery question It's that time again..... My on again off again gonna drive my car storage habits have left me with another dead as dead battery.
It's been a year and a half of it being disconnected in my trunk so I could take it and get it prorated and replaced I guess. Is there a battery that handles long-term storage bettery then your basic autozone battery?
It's been a year and a half of it being disconnected in my trunk so I could take it and get it prorated and replaced I guess. Is there a battery that handles long-term storage bettery then your basic autozone battery?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
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From: cookeville, TN
Trip hazard for kid mostly (when it's cold/wet out we usually play in the garage but since I just sat it into he tray completely unwired I didn't think I needed it.
The car sets for extended periods while I work on things. Things that don't really matter but I keep doing them instead of driving it
The car sets for extended periods while I work on things. Things that don't really matter but I keep doing them instead of driving it
Lead acid batteries don't like to discharge, even batteries that are more tolerant to discharge. Next time around charge it once every few weeks and it'll be fine. Don't need to leave it on a tender continually. AGM type battery will give you more discharge cycles before failure, but it does not tolerate summer heat nearly as well.
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From: Western North Carolina
I really can't help too much if the battery is out of the vehicle but in the 20 year life of my car there have only been two brands of batteries. The car does sit for long periods of time but nothing like yours. The GM battery and the premium Interstate battery. Both very good with no issues. They might even be the same battery as there are only a few companies that make batteries anymore. The only thing different is the label they put on. I also think that the warranty would be honored well with each of these brands just in case.
Some time ago, I purchased this Optima Battery Charger/Tender. It has been incredible. https://www.optimabatteries.com/prod...RoC0acQAvD_BwE
It has a charger function which addresses conventional and AGM batteries and also has a battery tender mode. It does everything and it has been able to recover deeply discharged batteries that couldn't charge inside an engine bay.
It's not cheap, but really great to have one tool that does everything for every type of battery.
I use Optima yellow tops in my cars; none of which I drive very often as our EV gets all the work. Since you aren't in a cold area, I would definitely go with a deep cycle battery for your next purchase. (If you need a new one.)
It has a charger function which addresses conventional and AGM batteries and also has a battery tender mode. It does everything and it has been able to recover deeply discharged batteries that couldn't charge inside an engine bay.
It's not cheap, but really great to have one tool that does everything for every type of battery.
I use Optima yellow tops in my cars; none of which I drive very often as our EV gets all the work. Since you aren't in a cold area, I would definitely go with a deep cycle battery for your next purchase. (If you need a new one.)
I also have a late model Corvette that will kill the battery within 3 weeks of not starting. Now I'm in the habit of always connecting the charger as soon as I park the cars.
John
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
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From: cookeville, TN
Thanks for all the input guys.
I think I'm gonna go with a red top and try to be more diligent with the battery tender. I have one I just use it on my daily when we go on trips. Didn't think a disconnected battery would need it, but guess lesson learned
I think I'm gonna go with a red top and try to be more diligent with the battery tender. I have one I just use it on my daily when we go on trips. Didn't think a disconnected battery would need it, but guess lesson learned
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
I agree. This is what I do with mine and it works quite well, no need to leave a tender hooked up if you don't want the wires hanging around full time (or I guess you could hang the tender from the ceiling, as mentioned above). I never put more than 300-500 miles per year on my garage queens, so they sit a ton. I use a smart charger every 2-3 weeks if I haven't driven it, and let it charge until complete. I have never lost a battery this way, I just end up replacing them as a matter of maintenance every 6-7 years or so. Actually, the one in my '71 is now 8 years old and still doing great. I always use AC Delco Professional (highest grade) batteries; great results.
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From: Connecticut SE shore
I too have had an AC Delco Professional Group 75, lead-acid battery in my '99 Camaro SS for nearly 9 yrs now. Never an issue until the 2 starts with a bit of hesitation. I have charged it every week
since the car isn't driven more than 200-500 miles per year now. Every year or so I add some distilled water to fill the cells.
Investigated getting a replacement battery and found out that the side mounted, AC Delco Prof with 42 month warranty (700 CCA 95 RC#88865248) are no longer available....at least through that distributor.
The major parts supplier I had gotten the last one from said the closest AC Delco was one with 18 months warranty. I see a similar one on line at AC Delco Gold 65. Maybe GM dealers can get those?
Auto Value "Bumper to Bumper" claims to have an AC Delco Professional 65 with 42 mo. warranty....but none of those are near me.
In the meantime I'm doing some battery cycles to see if I can reduce some of the sulfation I see on some of plates.
Anyone have any strong recommendations for good quality flooded batteries in the <$200 range?
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Last edited by Firebrian; Mar 1, 2024 at 11:48 PM.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Investigated getting a replacement battery and found out that the side mounted, AC Delco Prof with 42 month warranty (700 CCA 95 RC#88865248) are no longer available....at least through that distributor.
The major parts supplier I had gotten the last one from said the closest AC Delco was one with 18 months warranty. I see a similar one on line at AC Delco Gold 65. Maybe GM dealers can get those?
Auto Value "Bumper to Bumper" claims to have an AC Delco Professional 65 with 42 mo. warranty....but none of those are near me.
The major parts supplier I had gotten the last one from said the closest AC Delco was one with 18 months warranty. I see a similar one on line at AC Delco Gold 65. Maybe GM dealers can get those?
Auto Value "Bumper to Bumper" claims to have an AC Delco Professional 65 with 42 mo. warranty....but none of those are near me.
I discovered the Delco battery "shake up" in '22 when I needed a new battery for my '74. It takes a Group 78, but Delco has dropped the top warranty version of that battery as well, and I was buying directly from a GM dealership. I bought what they had because I needed something right then, but I'm considering going with another brand for my '71 when the time comes. It's the same 78 size, and it's 11 years old now with zero signs of weakening yet, but I know it can't last forever. I'm not too worried about cosmetic labeling for the battery in this one, as I use an R89 battery topper to simulate the appearance of an original '71 issued unit.
However I would like to stick with a Delco labeled product for my '98, but if the 18 month version is all that's available in the 75 size then I might need to consider another brand for that one as well. The current Delco battery in my '98 is now 9 years old and still doing quite well, but it sounded like cranking might be getting just a touch slower on a cold start last year. I figured I might try to get one more year out of it.
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From: Connecticut SE shore
Firebrian, good to see you back on the site! It's been a while.
I discovered the Delco battery "shake up" in '22 when I needed a new battery for my '74. It takes a Group 78, but Delco has dropped the top warranty version of that battery as well, and I was buying directly from a GM dealership. I bought what they had because I needed something right then, but I'm considering going with another brand for my '71 when the time comes. It's the same 78 size, and it's 11 years old now with zero signs of weakening yet, but I know it can't last forever. I'm not too worried about cosmetic labeling for the battery in this one, as I use an R89 battery topper to simulate the appearance of an original '71 issued unit.
However I would like to stick with a Delco labeled product for my '98, but if the 18 month version is all that's available in the 75 size then I might need to consider another brand for that one as well. The current Delco battery in my '98 is now 9 years old and still doing quite well, but it sounded like cranking might be getting just a touch slower on a cold start last year. I figured I might try to get one more year out of it.
I discovered the Delco battery "shake up" in '22 when I needed a new battery for my '74. It takes a Group 78, but Delco has dropped the top warranty version of that battery as well, and I was buying directly from a GM dealership. I bought what they had because I needed something right then, but I'm considering going with another brand for my '71 when the time comes. It's the same 78 size, and it's 11 years old now with zero signs of weakening yet, but I know it can't last forever. I'm not too worried about cosmetic labeling for the battery in this one, as I use an R89 battery topper to simulate the appearance of an original '71 issued unit.
However I would like to stick with a Delco labeled product for my '98, but if the 18 month version is all that's available in the 75 size then I might need to consider another brand for that one as well. The current Delco battery in my '98 is now 9 years old and still doing quite well, but it sounded like cranking might be getting just a touch slower on a cold start last year. I figured I might try to get one more year out of it.
I'm continuing to poke around the internet. It does seem some internet battery retailers offer an AC Delco 75 professional/gold version.....not near me though and shipping, if even possible, would probably make things unaffordable. I'll call around next week to some of the auto parts stores and GM dealers and see what they say. But when a major battery wholesaler/retailer who covers both commercial and dealer accounts throughout New England says they can't get one with >18 month warranty, that's not a good sign. I did pick up a group 65 AcDelco for my daily driver 2 days ago from that dealer. But it wasn't labeled gold or professional ($175 all in less $12 core charge). Interesting that both batteries seemed to have come to the same 9 yr point....but one being driven all the time, and the other mostly garage sitting. If I come up with anything useful I'll post it.
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Yes, please let us know if you find anything.
It has 35K miles on it now... Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
I bought my '99 Firehawk new in the Summer of 2000. I sold it 10 years later and it only had 19K miles on it. Who was I saving this car for? It made me realize that I lost out on driving this beautiful car! 7 years later, I bought it back and it only had 22K miles on it. Now, when the weather is decent, I try to drive it as much as I can. I love driving it It has 35K miles on it now...
It has 35K miles on it now...
LOL. I've had a ton of joy using this as a show car over the last two decades, and plan to continue using it the same way for another two or three (or four, if I live that long) decades.But, to your point, I do love driving these cars as well. So for many years I owned multiple LS1 F-bodies so that I could also have one to drive. I drove my '02 Z28 everywhere and anywhere, had a bunch of fun doing that, but it did "use the car up" over time. It would have needed a restoration to be a proper show car at that point. Some folks wouldn't care about this aspect as they don't find any joy in a "show" car, but I live in a world where both show cars AND drivers are appreciated - hence the need for multiple toys. Right now, my '74 has taken over the role of a "driver"...one day it might be a 4th gen F-body again, who knows, lots of fun options out there.
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From: Connecticut SE shore
I bought my '99 Firehawk new in the Summer of 2000. I sold it 10 years later and it only had 19K miles on it. Who was I saving this car for? It made me realize that I lost out on driving this beautiful car! 7 years later, I bought it back and it only had 22K miles on it. Now, when the weather is decent, I try to drive it as much as I can. I love driving it It has 35K miles on it now...
It has 35K miles on it now...Last edited by Firebrian; Mar 3, 2024 at 12:03 AM.
So I decided to spend the $2500 and get the work done. But in the back of my head I was thinking why spend $25K for a used Honda or Toyota with 40K miles (or $35K new).......when I have a 20,000 mile 1999 Camaro SS M6 that I paid $13K for just waiting to start its "second life" on the road. And that just might happen. It's role for the past 12 yrs has been to be both a "fun" car.....and an emergency back up car. Only problem with that is I've "convinced" myself I can never drive the car in rain, on wet or salty roads, or overly humid weather. So far I've kept to that "oath." But maybe the time is coming to break it. The car isn't getting any younger. 20K or 29K miles not much different in value. So right there are 9800 miles available in the near future.
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From: Connecticut SE shore
The 1999 Camaro SS is fine. The only thing it's needed since I've owned it was some AC work, battery, and tires....other than the usual fluids and filters.
Though it is getting time to do the window motors and front speakers.
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My first day of shopping around for a Gp 75 battery and saw some Walmart Everstart MAXX on closeout at $110 (reg $139) at my local WM. 3 yr warranty. But they have 5 month old stickers on them.
So I was sort of tempted on that. But another few calls around my area and found a local GM Chevy dealer who stocks the AcDelco GP75 VPG for $159. They have one in stock, and can get
others in one day.....local distributor/warehouse carries them. So these things are out there in the GM pipeline. A place called "Battery Shop.com" out of Miami lists them on line for $149. But no idea
about shipping, having an account, etc. I will be easier to just drive 6 miles to the GM dealer. And I've bought some Camaro AC parts from them before that worked out great.
Last edited by Firebrian; Mar 5, 2024 at 02:54 PM.