I've been using Optima Red Tops in my C5's and other vehicles for about 20 yrs. Never had any issues. Was talking to local auto mechanic the other day and he said he would not use any gel cell battery because they kill alternators. I never heard of this before. Anyone?

 

Never heard of such a thing.. AGM batteries do require the specific setting on
my chargers though.. From what I understand, they like to be charged at a lower and
slower rate than convention wet cell batteries..
That being said, I've never had any issues with AGM's and Alternators.. I've run them
for many years in several different cars.

 

No. Millions of cars have switched to AGM. And further, the guy is an idiot. An AGM battery is NOT a "gel cell."

 

An OPTIMA battery is an AGM battery, not a gel battery or regular flooded battery. A deeply discharged OPTIMA battery (less than 10.5 volts) will not test or recharge properly if treated as a gel battery or regular flooded battery. ... Some have specific AGM settings, which should be used to charge an OPTIMA battery.

 

You will more likely have an issue with the battery because an AGM charge cycle differs from a wet battery. Most battery manufacturers will list the charge requirements.

 

I have been running an optima battery in my 57 chevy truck for years and yeears.
It is running an 89 corvette engine with a 86 4+3.
It has a 92 Firebird Serpentine belt accessory drive with a 105 amp alternator from a 92 firebird.
It usually sits for a week, and every time I turn on the key, it registers 13 volts on the volt meter, and it just starts up like always.

um, Lets see, Oh yea, it's been 11 years since I put it all together, and it's all the same parts for 11 years. Even the battery.................


The alternator hasn't been killed even once. Although the water pump has been changed.