Charging Optima Batteries - NCRS Discussion Boards

Charging Optima Batteries

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  • Stuart F.
    Expired
    • August 31, 1996
    • 4676

    Charging Optima Batteries

    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.
    Expired
    • June 20, 2010
    • 353

    #2
    Re: Charging Optima Batteries

    It mentioned hooking up another standard battery in series.

    Sorry to hear about your luck...

    Comment

    • Stuart F.
      Expired
      • August 31, 1996
      • 4676

      #3
      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

      Comment

      • Donald L.
        Very Frequent User
        • September 30, 1998
        • 461

        #4
        Re: Charging Optima Batteries

        How do I charge a deeply discharged battery?

        Comment

        • Brant H.
          Frequent User
          • March 1, 1987
          • 45

          #5
          Re: Charging Optima Batteries

          Stu,

          This is from the Optima site:



          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.
          Last edited by Brant H.; October 13, 2010, 10:03 AM. Reason: New Post while I was posting.

          Comment

          • Stuart F.
            Expired
            • August 31, 1996
            • 4676

            #6
            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

            Comment

            • Michael J.
              Extremely Frequent Poster
              • January 27, 2009
              • 7118

              #7
              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.
              Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New Mexico

              Comment

              • Brant H.
                Frequent User
                • March 1, 1987
                • 45

                #8
                Re: Charging Optima Batteries

                Originally posted by Michael Johnson (49879)
                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

                Comment

                • Lawrence M.
                  Very Frequent User
                  • February 1, 1995
                  • 404

                  #9
                  Re: Charging Optima Batteries

                  Originally posted by Brant Halterman (11109)
                  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
                  Larry
                  2002 Z51 Convertible
                  1969 L46 Convertible

                  Comment

                  • Stuart F.
                    Expired
                    • August 31, 1996
                    • 4676

                    #10
                    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

                    Comment

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