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AGM Battery?

Does anyone know if the dual terminal batteries will fit our cars without the top posts being in the way or making undesirable contact? I am considering the following:

Interstate MTP-75 $142.95 6 year warranty, 30 month free replacement, 31-48 months 45% off, 49-60 months 25% off, 61-72 months 10% off.
Interstate MT7-75DT (AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) design) $252.95 48 month free replacement and then you are on your own.
AC Delco 75-6YR $??? Waiting to hear back from a local shop
AC Delco 75VPG (Gold) $??? Waiting to hear back from a local shop
Odyssey 75-pc1230 battery $246.40 according to Amazon. I'd rather buy locally so if I have any issues I won't have problems.
EverStart Maxx-75S (South) $80.00 5 years replacement warranty (Hard to argue with a price and warranty like that)
Odyssey 0753-2035 available at AutoZone $239.99 + $18 core charge 3 year warranty
ODYSSEY 75/86 PC1230 and ODYSSEY 75 PC1230 (AGM design) See odysseybatteries.com for $282.67 free ground shipping, or find a local dealer at their site also.

I am a Consumer Reports reader and they give the Interstate MT7-75DT a score of 95 out of 100. The next best battery is the EverStart Maxx-75S (South) which they give a score of 78 out of 100. And for what it's worth, the local Interstate rep said their AGM batteries are made by Odyssey and that they also supply our military vehicles. So my guess is they are probably the same but different color and case design, but both dual terminal. When I took my Walmart EverStart back to Walmart, they said no warranty left and the clock starts ticking the last time you spend any money to buy a battery - no matter when it was last replaced under warranty - in my case April of this year. So I left without the battery. Now I will have to pay an extra $15 to $18 when I buy another battery unless I can find a battery to take with me for a core return. Also, the regular acid batteries weigh 30 lbs, the AGM Interstates 41 lbs, and Odyssey AGM batteries weigh 45 lbs. The place that sells the Odyssey AGM gel acid batteries across the US are 4 wheel drive people so these must be the choice for all the jostling around they can endure - much like the forces our cars are capable of placing on batteries.
 
The ambulances we work on all use Odyssey batteries. A lot of wet batteries are branded in the wearhouse with whatever sticker they need to sell. Not sure how many , but the diehards we sell are blank black batteries until we order them and they sticker them as needed.
 
I'd never consider a wet cell for any car that I cared about. When I bought my TTA I took out an Interstate wet cell that was fairly new and gave it away. Then I wire wheeled out rust that had accumulated both on top and underneath the battery tray caused by occasional overcharge/acid overspills. Then I bought and used some white appliance epoxy paint at Lowes. I have no experience with other AGMs, but Optimas have always worked great for me. To eliminate any possible drain, insure maximum battery life and make sure that an electrical fire can never take place when the car is parked for an extended period (a month or longer), I also added and use a knife switch. I'd guess that I get 7-9 years out of Optima red tops and see no need to change to another brand. I've been using these in my 1979 Corvette since the mid-80s.
 
I've used Optima yellow tops for over a decade with great results. My last one lasted over nine years; it appeared to still be going strong but I didn't want to push my luck and get stuck with a dead battery.
Yellow tops are better than red for me because I don't drive it everyday.
I also keep it on a battery tender which really extends the life of a battery.
 
You'll probably want to check the dimensions if the batteries have top posts. as noted, I found the AGM batteries to generally be shorter in height.
 
I have nothing against Optima yellow tops. Two years ago I decided to experiment and put one in my 1979 Corvette. I'm pretty sure it will be a good experience.
 
If the car sits a lot, the yellow top will be better than the red...but Optimas are not near as good as they used to be 7-8 years ago or so, they moved their manufacturing to Mexico and they haven't been the same. I've had at least 3 red tops go bad in 3-4 years so I quit buying reds...I have 2 yellows that are about 2 and 3 year old and good, and a 6-7 year old yellow in my boat....6 cars, 2 boats with 2 batteries each..I go through a lot of batteries. I also have a couple of Die Hard AGMs that they don't seem to make any more, no issues with them.
 
Yes I've heard bad reports about the Optimas made in Mexico. But apparently their quality control came up to speed over time. Battery manufacturing, like tire manufacturing is a dirty process. Our EPA pounds such US companies with regulation and taxes, so businesses like that move to other countries where there are no controls. Not sure exactly what that accomplishes except loss of jobs here.
 
michbc3 said:
Our EPA pounds such US companies with regulation and taxes, so businesses like that move to other countries where there are no controls. Not sure exactly what that accomplishes except loss of jobs here.
Click to expand...

Bingo! The BEST thing for the environment is to find a way to keep those factories here. They won't be built as cleanly anywhere else on the globe.
 
michbc3 said:
Our EPA pounds such US companies with regulation and taxes, so businesses like that move to other countries where there are no controls.
Click to expand...
The EPA needs to be reined in. A clean environment is obviously important, but there needs to be balance.
 
Thanks for all the posts above. Lots of good information. I ended up getting:

Interstate MTP-75 $142.95 6 year warranty, 30 month free replacement, 31-48 months 45% off, 49-60 months 25% off, 61-72 months 10% off.

I didn't have a core return but they gave me a coupon at the Interstate store for $10 off to soften the blow. I like the idea above with the knife switch and battery tender during low usage.
 
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