Charging Optima Batteries

[Stuart F.]

A while back I recall discussion either here on the TDB or a recent magazine article regarding the special procedures to use when charging an Optima Battery, specially one that is significantly discharged.

I have one and used to keep it on a trickle charger in order to have it available as a back up for either my 63 Vette or 2000 Impala. Well, the latter crapped out on me yesterday in an airport parking lot at 10pm. I got a jump alright to get home, but found my Optima fully discharged too.

Does anyone recall the procedure??

Stu Fox

[Alexander C.]

Re: Charging Optima Batteries

It mentioned hooking up another standard battery in series.

Sorry to hear about your luck...

[Stuart F.]

Re: Charging Optima Batteries

Alexander;

Thanks for the response. It's starting to come back to me now, but I still want to find the story. Guess I better dig through my mags.

Thanks again;

Stu Fox

[Donald L.]

Re: Charging Optima Batteries

How do I charge a deeply discharged battery?

[Brant H.]

Re: Charging Optima Batteries

Stu,

This is from the Optima site:

http://www.optimabatteries.com/product_support/charging.php

I have had a red top for over 15 years. The darn thing is amazing. I have moved it from car to car over the years, not used it for long periods, let it discharge, etc. Everytime it has been dead, I just hook it up to my regulated/automatic (nothing really out of the ordinary, but cannot remember the brand right now) charger, and it charges up fine. I just recently put it back into another car with no problems at all.

While I was posting, I see that Donald found some even better info. in the post above. I've never done this. I guess the battery might die one day, but so far it is great.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Charging Optima Batteries

Donald and Brant;

Thanks loads for the information on the procedure. I think I can make it work.

BTW, the article I had in mind was in the September 2010 issue of Hot Rod Mag, entitled; "A Current Affair" pages 74 - 76.

Thanks again. I would like to get mine battery back.

Stu fox

[Michael J.]

Re: Charging Optima Batteries

Stuart, did your trickle charger not work properly to keep the Optima charged? I have mine on a BatteryMinDer charger and am now wondering if that is a bad idea.

[Brant H.]

Re: Charging Optima Batteries

Stuart, did your trickle charger not work properly to keep the Optima charged? I have mine on a BatteryMinDer charger and am now wondering if that is a bad idea.

Michael,

That has always worked fine for me.

-Brant

[Lawrence M.]

Re: Charging Optima Batteries

Michael,

That has always worked fine for me.

-Brant

The Red Top Optima in my 2002 is always on a Battery Tender Plus when the car is not being used. 8 years this month and no problems.

Larry

[Stuart F.]

Re: Charging Optima Batteries

I too have a Battery Minder trickle charger that I use on my Vette's battery on a regular basis. It works fine, but is only capable of handling just the one battery. As such, I picked up a cheap Black and Decker item that I thought would work ok on the Optima (NOT!). It could not maintain it and so I disconnected it (why waste power). The battery ran down just sitting (even on a block of wood).

My understanding is that the absorption-voltage range of the Optima battery (AGM) is 14.4 to 15.0 volts. A float type charger that is not designed for AGM batteries (like my B & D) will usually only run from 13.2 to 13.8 volts and will noy do the job. You need to have a float-type charger (Battery Tender or Minder) that is compatible with an AGM battery like the Optima.

Stu Fox