Topic: Battery Exploded in my 70 this morning
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Lifetime MemberSHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
thats kinda true, optima was a small company in colorado i think??... but yeah since Johnson Controls bought them out, they have suffered in the quality... but, i think i would still take one of them over the Exide version(orbit??) not really sure about other alternatives. However, who knows/ they may make a comeback being made in USA??? Still, over the years we at the warehouse never saw any real advantage to the agm batteries for "casual" automotive purpose, now for track racing, off road, rock climbers and the such, yes they do fill the niche...
And not to point fingers or lay blame, but typical lead/acid batteries rarely "blow up" without a cause. Has to be a bad or broken plate or sulfation(from being in a discharged state for a period of time) or a charging issue for something to happen...and dont believe it when a battery says "Maintenance Free" unless it is a sealed battery case where you cannot remove the caps and add water or check the levels... Low maintenance still implies maintenance(checking levels and cleaning posts(regardless of type/manufacturer battery, lead oxidizes)..... just part of it, and often overlooked until there is an "incident".....(I'm just as guilty)
StingrayJim 
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Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94 
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Gold MemberScotch Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/11/2006
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Coupe, Stock, Black on Black,
4 Spd
Back in August, I replaced the 6 year old Optima Red Top in the vette.
New Optima Red Top was manuf. by Johnson Controls.
Did the same with the 6 year old Optima Red Top in my Tundra last week.
IMHO, you can find them less expensive, but do not purchase on-line.
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
There are several other brands of AGM batteries besides Optima, Lifeline being one of the better one.
Also if the battery tender wasn't one that is microprocessor controlled, it might have boiled the battery dry.
Also if the battery tender wasn't one that is microprocessor controlled, it might have boiled the battery dry.
1973 L-82 4 spd
Did you have a refillable battery or sealed? I believe the original type battery in 1970 had a vent to which a hose was connected that went through the floor to vent outside. This allowed for generated hydrogen gas to vent outside rather than in the battery compartment. My opinion is to not use a battery tender for a 1970. The only thing running is a working clock. I start mine once or twice a month and that seems to be adequate to keep enough charge on the battery.The last battery I replaced had 14 years on it.
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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