Tender For Gel Batteries-Optima
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 36
From: RI
St. Jude Donor '14-'15, '17, '19
Tender For Gel Batteries-Optima
I bought a new yellow top and am wondering if I should use my older battery tenders on it. I have a large charger that says Not for Gel Batteries. I used a regular battery tender on it and it seems like it never shows fully charged and the tender gets quite hot. The battery starts the car like a champ but I want to make sure I don't damage it using a non dedicated GEL charger. Thanks a lot.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 477
Likes: 48
I use one like this plugged into my aux. in the console and it works great. Has a setting for gel battery
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Its NOT recommended to use a regular charger on AGM Batteries. They have a completely different charging strategy and if not performed correctly will damage the battery.
The BEST charger that I have found is a CTEC.
Here are several that are excellent:
CTEK (56-353) MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Battery Charger
This is the one I have and it works excellent.. CTEC and some aftermarket have NUNEROUS add on things for that/those chargers..
CTEK (56-864) MUS 4.3 12 Volt Fully Automatic 8 Step Battery Charger
The BEST charger that I have found is a CTEC.
Here are several that are excellent:
CTEK (56-353) MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Battery Charger
This is the one I have and it works excellent.. CTEC and some aftermarket have NUNEROUS add on things for that/those chargers..
CTEK (56-864) MUS 4.3 12 Volt Fully Automatic 8 Step Battery Charger
I have used the Ctek 7002 on my Corvette for the last 6 years when I don't drive it. It's hooked to the cigarette lighter outlet.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 331
Likes: 74
From: Florida
Optima batteries are not gel electrolytic batteries, they are AGM - absorbed glass mat in 6 cylindrical spiral cells at 2v each for 12v. No idea where the gel rumor came from.
Last edited by 02torchred; Aug 24, 2019 at 03:35 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 36
From: INDIANA
I bought a new yellow top and am wondering if I should use my older battery tenders on it. I have a large charger that says Not for Gel Batteries. I used a regular battery tender on it and it seems like it never shows fully charged and the tender gets quite hot. The battery starts the car like a champ but I want to make sure I don't damage it using a non dedicated GEL charger. Thanks a lot.
