Optima Battery Advice

[Stuart F.]

I inherited an Optima Battery from my son that came "dead" in one of his recent Pace Car's (he's had 3 now in last several years). I had tried to recharge it w/o success until recently I tried the "dual battery in parallel" method, as outlined in the Sept. 2010 Hot Rod magazine (and discussed herein). Basically, I was fooling my old charger into thinking the battery had more than 10 volts, or something like that. It seemed to work as I now read a full 12 volts on it, still sitting on a wood block on the floor a week later.

As it has both terminals, I thought I'd try it out in my Impala driver which has a suspect battery in it now (it failed me at night a few times as the voltage drops to under 10 over the course of a month or so).

My question is whether a resurrected Optima can be expected to provide reliable service in a daily driver after having been fully discharged??

Stu Fox

[Jack H.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

You can guess & 'test' or go put science to work by having the battery load tested. As battery's age (use and/or abuse), their gross storage profile changes (drops). A load test will confirm what that unit's CGA (cold cranking amperage) is today allowing you to compare actual to design rated target...

[Terry M.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

Most FLAPS will load test a battery for free -- However -- there are three commonly used test methods, and one of those is not worth the time & effort.

Use a VAT (Volt Amp Tester) -- the most common of these is made by Sun Equipment (now a division of Snap-on, and my work search engine will not bring up their catalog so I can not offer a link), but there are other brands. This will test the battery in situ (on the car) -- IF one can get the machine clamps on the battery posts. It can also test the battery out of the car, and test the alternator and starter.


Use a battery conductance tester. This will test the capacity of the batter either in situ or out of the car. Midtronix is the most common tool maker, but there are others.

http://www.midtronics.com/home/support/sproducts/batterytesting/autofaq.aspx

Resistance load tester. If they bring out this one, and that is likely because it is the least expensive, run away. It is not worth the time and effort.
http://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp...ter-90636.html

[Chuck S.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

Stu, a load test is a good idea and I would certainly pursue it, but I suspect your Optima is history.

I currently have an Interstate on my old 4Runner that will charge to over 13 volts on the trickle charger, but it will not crank the truck (the ultimate load test; solenoid clicks, no crank). I have cleaned the cable terminals and posts to no avail.

I had been fighting a battle with this battery since last winter in that it would not hold a charge, and had to be charged every time the vehicle was occasionally used. That worked until last week when the first 40 degree cold snap reached central Texas.

On review, I found the battery was an early 2004 replacement. So, I sez to the wife, "Well, I guess batteries won't last forever"; to which She sez, "That's what you always tell the kids." I hate it when they pay attention and turn your words back on you.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

Terry and Chuck;

Thanks for your information and advice. As I'm not desparate yet, I will pursue the resurrection until and if it shows me to be a lost cause. The thing is a pretty neat looking item, but if it is only "Pretty but don't go", it's headed for the trade in pile.

I have an "Auto Zone" battery in my driver and it failed me twice. It is a replacement for the first one I bought that failed. I had them check it after I charged it and they said everything looked good - battery and charging system. I suspect they were using some of those cheap testers. I know Florida weather is extra hard on batteries, but I at least expect more than two years on each.

Thanks again.

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

Stu,
Some of the Caprice/Impala SS guys put Optima batteries in, especially when they upgrade to a Maxi sound system. They also go to 200+ amp alternators. A disturbing number of Optima batteries exhibit a failure mode in this service of an internal short. This usually takes both the alternator and the battery and sometimes the cables as well. For that reason, although I don't play those kinds of games, I have avoided Optima batteries.

Now that AC Delco no longer manufacturers a battery I (on the advice of another poster here) bought a Deka battery. They are made in the USA, and are the manufacturer of batteries for Majeure -- If they have those stores in Florida you might want to check them out. Otherwise a search on-line for Deka (East Penn) will get you a store locator engine.

[Brant H.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

I have an old Optima red top battery. It is at least 15 years old. It has been in and old of different, rarely driven cars for years. At one point, it was under the work bench for at least 3 years. I dug it out and had it checked at the local Interstate Battery Store. They said that it was fine and to simply charge it. I recently charged it and put it in a trunk mounted battery car and have not had a single problem since I did so. That has been about 3 months ago. I can't believe this battery.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

Thanks for the input fellows. I put a float charger on the Optima yesterday and it brought it right back up to full/maintain. I do believe it is worth a try in my driver. If I can expect reliability like Brent said of his, it may be worth keeping around. I like the idea of a battery I can use as a spare for my driver and my Vette, but I have learned I do need a better charger to handle the Optima in the future. The two batteries in parallel worked fine, but I hate to tie up my driver to do that, and I don't like messing with the one in the Vette. It works perfect as it is.

Stu Fox

[Willard M.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

So can someone outline in simple fashion how to charge an Optima battery. I guess that I have been lucky as I simply hook up one of my Battery Tenders and let it bring it up to full charge before the Spring start ups.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

Willard;

If that works for you, that's great. My Optima was one from a car my son purchased and it was completely discharged, and would not come back using just my old 8 amp charger. I read in Sept. Hot Rod how you had to trick the circutry of an old charger into tinking the battery still had around 10 volts. You did that by connecting two batteries in Parallel in order to get the needed voltage, then connected your charger. It worked for me - or so it seems. I'm now able to keep it charged with one of my Battery Minders. I have yet to test it in every day use.

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

I believe the Battery Tender Plus has instructions for the Optima (AGM) Absorbed Glass Mat batteries. I'll have to look at home to be sure. Some chargers are designed for use on AGM and some are not. I believe the Battery Tender Plus is.

http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html

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

[Stuart F.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

Terry;

Thanks for the links. I've learned a lot. I also spoke with our Restoration Battery friend as I was interested in getting another Battery Minder. The one I have is not a "Plus", so he told me the differences and advised that I should not use it on the Optima, rather that once I have it charged (which I do), I should just put the regular charger on it once a month to bring it back up (if I use it as an under bench spare). He said they do make and he sells several other brands specially designed for the Optima, but for my use, he did not recommend.

He also advised that I probably don't need the Battery Minder on my Vette down here in Florida, assuming I drive the car at least every couple weeks (which I do). He said they were really designed for the northern climates where it is common to lay a car up for the winter. He also mentioned, which I've now heard from several sources, that battery life here in Florida is about half of that up north. Batteries don't mind the cold, but don't like the heat.

I appreciated his candor and honesty. Good place to do business indeed.

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

[Dan D.]

Re: Optima Battery Advice

Battery life can be a real variable. I just put a new battery in my tractor. I have a small New Holland utility tractor I bought new in 1999. So this battery is 11 years old, and it still worked, but it was getting weak and I did not want to take a chance with it through the winter. The tractor sits sometimes for a month or so without be used and I have never put a battery tender on it, or have I never had to charge it. I use it in the winter to plow snow so it does get year around use. On the other side of the coin my zero turn riding lawnmower went through its original battery in 2 years. So you never know. -Dan-