Green eye in battery now gone, how soon before battery poops out. Think I'd better get a set of Red Tops before Battery dies in the boondocks.

With batteries, your always better safe than sorry.

Replace 'em both, too.

Even though they are supposedly 6-7 year batteries, I seem to only get about 3 years out of them. The ones in my Dmax started leaking so I replaced them. But my wife has a GM van and after 3 years her battery would occasionally be dead in the AM for no appearent reason. I would recharge it with no problem but after the third round of that we had an open cell and no start. I think you are correct in assuming the worst. If you have lots of places like we do in So Cal, run them till they die but if your more remote why take any chances.

Ditto here... 24 to 36 months max before having mysterious "no starts" on first attempt, the normal cranking after that. I haven't actually needed a jump since I dumped my '91 Escort (all of a sudden in the middle of the day it was just gone).

If the green eye is gone, that means that cell is dead. That battery is now putting out a nominal 10v. This will eventually damage the second battery.

Buy a couple of Optimas tomorrow :D

Ditto. Just replaced both batts in my 03. One was bad, causing slower cranking and intermittent cluster gauge failure. I've never gotten more than 3-4 yrs out of an OEM Delco battery.

One of mine started leaking at 11,000 miles. Went out the next day and replaced both with yellow top optimas.

Green eye in battery now gone, how soon before battery poops out. Think I'd better get a set of Red Tops before Battery dies in the boondocks.

Looks like 2 days... both of mine just went (.)(.) ^

bill why go with the red tops and not the yeller's?

both of mine in my 02 just started leaking (what a friggin mess).

Yep, my passenger side battery on my 02 leaked all over the battery tray, innner fender liner, frame, and out onto the ground (nice acid etched clean spot on the concrete) Week before last. Replaced both with Optima Red tops. Had to remove the air box first to get to the bolts to remove the "degas" bottle, then removed the battery tray to clean and repaint it. cleaned up the engine compartment with a solution of water and baking soda to neutralize any remaing acid.

AC Delco side post batterys are POS. Wife's 01 Yukcon XL had one go (leaking out of positive post) at 12 months that was replaced under warranty. The replacement lasted 18 months before the positive post started leaking . I put a red top opitma in it this past april. Same crap though, had to take out the batter tray and all the supports and sand blast all the rust / corrosion off of them from the slow leaking battery.

If I ever buy another GM and it has side posts, I will refuse to take delivery of it until they pull out the AC Delco and put some other brand of battery in there. I'll take a walmart special over an AC Delco any day.-:t

Bill, I just found out there are 2 kinds of red tops. There are 750 cca. that are found at places like Cost co. etc. and then there are 1000 cca. red tops found at places that sell battries for all kinds of electronics, rebuild dry cells, cell phones, that kind of thing. Here in Phx. they'er called "Battries Plus" or "Battries Battries". When my time comes for new ones I'm gona get the bigger ones.

The smaller ones are the wrong ones.

Tim

Mike I didn't find any OPTIMA 1000 CCA red tops on OPTIMA's link.Stopped over at local SAM's at lunch time and had them put in a pair of 850 CCA Red Tops, $ 224 with all fee's and taxes.

Bill, I'm sure their fine. But it made me mad that I gave you the wrong info. so i looked at the Jeg's racing site, and they have an Optima 800 series, model 34/78 top+side post 6-7/8"W x 10"L x 7-13/16"H 38.6 lbs $129.99 free shipping. Anyway these have 980ca. So I imagine he probably said "about a 1000ca." and I took it literally. Sorry for the bad info. Good luck with the new ones!!!

Timing's everything, I just received this from Optima

Battery Model: 34/78
Part Number: 8004-003
Nominal Voltage: 12 volts
NSN: 6140-01-457-4339
Description: High power, sealed, lead acid, engine starting battery.
Plate Design: High purity lead-tin alloy. Wound cell configuration utilizing proprietary
SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY.®
Electrolyte: Sulfuric acid, H2SO4
Case: Polypropylene
Color: Case: Dark Gray
Cover: .OPTIMA. Red
Group Size: BCI: 34/78
Length: 10" 254 mm
Width: 6.8" 172.2 mm
Height: 7.8" 198.1 mm (height at the top of the terminals)
Minimum Weight: 38.8 lb. 17.6 kg
Standard Metric
Terminal Configuration: SAE / BCI automotive and GM style side terminal (3/8 - 16 UNC - 2B, threaded nut).
Open Circuit Voltage (fully charged): 12.8 volts
Internal Resistance (fully charged): .0030 ohms
Capacity: 50 Ah (C/20)
Reserve Capacity: BCI: 110 minutes
(25 amp discharge, 80°F (26.7°C), to 10.5 volts cut-off)
CCA (BCI 0°F): 800 amps
MCA (BCI 32°F): 980 amps
Physical Characteristics:
Performance Data:
Power:
The following charging methods are recommended to ensure a long battery life:
(Always use a voltage regulated charger with voltage limits set as described below.)
Model: 34/78
These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are not
recommended or warranted for use in deep cycle applications.
Recommended Charging:
Alternator: 13.8 to 15.0 volts; no amperage limit
Battery Charger: 13.8 to 15.0 volts; 10 amps maximum; 8 hours maximum
Boost Recharge: Maximum voltage: 15.6 volts (regulated).
Maximum current: 60 amps.
Maximum recharge time: 2 hours.
All limits must be strictly adhered to
Float Charge: 13.2 to 13.8 volts; 1 amp maximum current;
time indefinite (at lower voltage levels).
Always wear safety glasses when working with batteries.
Always use a voltage regulated battery charger with limits set to the above ratings. Overcharging
can cause the safety valves to open and battery gases to escape, causing premature failure.
These gases are flammable! You cannot replace water in sealed batteries that have been
overcharged. Any battery that becomes very hot while charging should be disconnected
immediately.
Not fully charging a battery can result in poor performance and a reduction in capacity.
OPTIMA batteries can be shipped by AIR. The battery is nonspillable and is tested according to
ICAO Technical Instructions DOC. 9284-AN/905 to meet the requirements of Packing Instructions
No. 806 and is classified as non-regulated by IATA Special Provision A-48 and A-67 for UN2800.
Terminals must be protected from short circuit.
OPTIMA Batteries
17500 East 22nd Avenue
Aurora, CO 80011
United States of America
Phone: 303-340-7400
Fax: 303-340-7474
BCI = Battery Council International
EN = European Norm
OPTIMA Batteries
Product Specifications: Model 34/78
April 2003

Keith

Mike I didn't find any OPTIMA 1000 CCA red tops on OPTIMA's link.Stopped over at local SAM's at lunch time and had them put in a pair of 850 CCA Red Tops, $ 224 with all fee's and taxes.That's a good deal!

Hey Bill, you might want to look at the hold down brackets on the tray. The demension of the optimas are or at least were slightly smaller and I ended up reusing the oem bracket on one of mine. It seemed a couple of the other guys were having a similar issue with the hold down brackets - that the optima bracket wasn't getting much coverage on the edge of the battery.

Made a mistake in earlier post. CCA rating is 800, not 850 and CA rating is 1000. The mechanic used the OEM mounting clamp and batteries are in there tight.

Went ahead and changed to Yellow tops because of a good deal at about 85,000 miles and when I went to take the Delco bat out I turned the wrench and the whole terminal came out of the bat housing. Imagine my relief that I decided to change them. Defiantly could have been stuck in the boondocks with a dead bat
Dumb Delco bats….
Go Optima - except the red top that’s in my wheeling rig that wont stay charged… not sure about that one yet.

Consumer Reports rated these as the best for the $$$$$
Napa 84 month
Autozone Duracraft
Walmart Energizer Maxx
Sam's Club XLT Spiral

Ahhh, small world. My passenger side batt started leaking last tuesday. I didn't pull the tray, but I did neuturalize first with dry baking soda then with a solution.

The two red tops are the Classic and the new. The new has a square base instead of the "6 pack" base of the Classic.

My Sam's club had the Classic Red Tops for $101. They had Blue Top Marine cranking for $111, and Yellow Top deep cycles for $137. They did not have the Sam's Spiral Cell.

If you are near an "Advance Auto" they currently have the red tops for our trucks on sale for $118.99. Sams has a better price, but our local Sams only carries Exide and they are $99.
For what it's worth, I have never had problems from Exide, and I have never had a good Wal-Mart battery:mad:

Keith