Corvette-Dan

Hello forum. Silly me let the Vette sit too long and now the battery is discharged. The DIC says low voltage and of course the car will not start. My Optima red top is less than one year old. My car is a 99 coupe. My question is if I can just jump start my car with the optima battery and or can I charge the optima with a regular battery charger?

Hope for some advice

Thanks

strand rider

Be very careful jump starting, I killed my car in the driveway trying to force the issue. It used to work on the old stuff, is all I can say of my willful ignorance.

From reading here, most lead acid chargers won't pick up the voltages readings correctly, so guys link a regular lead acid battery into the circuit path from the charger to effect results. I would contact the manufacturer for options.

Battery abuse is the reason I will probably stay lead acid. Drained batteries are ,sadly, not uncommon in my world.

Corvette-Dan

So if I read this correctly hook a regular battery betwen the charger and the optima?

strand rider

From my reading here yes, but none in that reading mentioned the method of connection, if it is serial or parallel . I really wasn't paying close attention while reading, thinking my needs are lead acid based for the foreseeable future.

1996Z15

I have an Optima in my car and use a C-Tek trickle charger; it has a setting for Optima type batteries.

Corvette-Dan

I am starting to believe that a special charger like the C-tec mentioned here is the only way to go.

The Big Guy

99 6mm coupe Optima Red Top 156,000 miles. For many years I have charged them using the regular 12 volt charger that automatically reduces the rate of charge as the battery gets recharged.

Sigforty

I keep my optima on a battery minder agm-2012 charger. I have used this charger to recover 2 dead optima batteries so they work like new. Best $99 I have ever spent.

leadfoot4

I did that, too. I had a regular charger that could be set to a relatively low, 10A charge rate. I'd throw the charger on the car once a week, for about 45 minutes. This past summer, I decided to get an Optima brand charger. The major difference I see with the Optima charger, is it charges the battery at a varying voltage rate, and much lower amperage, over a longer period of time, compared to a regular charger.

3boystoys

How about RTFM:

http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us...care/charging/

mrlmd

Like everything else - it pays to go to the source and read the directions. There is a lot of good information on that site that should be read. It's just easier to ask a question on here, but read those tips.

3boystoys

Really, easier than 2-3 clicks on google? Problem here is you'll get a lot of Urban Legends too. AGM batteries are not the same as Lead Acid, treated CORRECTLY, the last a LONG time, my Motorcycle and Vette have one and the bikes battery is 6-7 years old now and the vette's even older.

mrlmd

I was being facetious when I said it was just easier to ask a question on here. Many people come on here and other forums and ask basic questions without first trying to look for answers via Google or Search or manufacturer's websites - they just expect help without any effort on their part. And like you said, on sites like this you may get a lot of Urban Legends and other misinformation, so it's best to go to the source and read the directions first before blindly asking for assistance. Assistance is always offered freely and most of it is very valuable, but I would think a little bit of homework should be done first. JMHO.

vette48

Hi; Just go out and buy a BATTERY TENDER it slow charges and float charges and will keep your battery up and in perfect condition. It is cheaper than buying batteries. You can buy one from around 30 to 60 dollars . And keep it on the battery when your car is not in use for a few days or weeks even months. I have used the battery tender for over 16 years and have no bad issues what so ever.. good luck