Optima Batteries
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Fort Wayne IN
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I have three operational red tops. Their ages are 8 years, 7 years, and 2 years. I got the two year old one while working at AutoZone last year, guy returned it though it was fine so I purchased as a used battery. I have had zero problems with any of them. If I'm going to park my car, I put a trickle charger on it for 1-2 nights per week.
One noteworthy thing -- you do NOT want to fast charge a red top. They don't like it, and it will put a hurting on them. If you have a dead one, trickle charge it over night and it should be fine.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
A discharged OPTIMA can only take a very low amp charge. I've spoken to both DELTRAN CORPORATION (manufacturer of BATTERY TENDER) and OPTIMA representatives. The heat created by anything significantly over 1 amp will quickly shorten the life span of an OPTIMA battery. A slow and steady charge over time will usually bring them back to full capacity.
Float maintenance chargers like the BATTERY TENDER PLUS @ 1.25amp and the CTEK are perfect to maintain an OPTIMA at peak power during periods of hibernation.
My longest lasting red top OPTIMA went seven years with use of a BATTERY TENDER PLUS. I gave the charger to the guy who bought my car. He was still using the same battery two years later.
Float maintenance chargers like the BATTERY TENDER PLUS @ 1.25amp and the CTEK are perfect to maintain an OPTIMA at peak power during periods of hibernation.
My longest lasting red top OPTIMA went seven years with use of a BATTERY TENDER PLUS. I gave the charger to the guy who bought my car. He was still using the same battery two years later.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Aug 10, 2009 at 11:23 AM.
