Dead Optima
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 52
From: Wentzville, MO.
Dead Optima
I hadn't had my car out in 3 weeks plus... needed to move it to get it up on jackstands and my Optima red top didn't have the power to crank her over.... Any tips or cautions on charging it? I've read of some folks burning them up :eek:
I've got an old charger that says it charges at 6 amps. Is it safe to use?
:cheers:
I've got an old charger that says it charges at 6 amps. Is it safe to use?
:cheers:
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
Likes: 2
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Dead Optima (99SilverC5Coupe)
I've ran my red top optima down several times to where it wouldn't crank car over.
Usually happens in the winter months when installing mods and leaving key on or playing stereo too long, etc.
I know this isn't good for any battery but it happens.
I always charge it back up with 10 amp charger set on the sealed/gel setting.
Haven't had any problems.
I have read that its not good to slow charge these type of batteries, though.
Usually happens in the winter months when installing mods and leaving key on or playing stereo too long, etc.
I know this isn't good for any battery but it happens.
I always charge it back up with 10 amp charger set on the sealed/gel setting.
Haven't had any problems.
I have read that its not good to slow charge these type of batteries, though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Re: Dead Optima (99SilverC5Coupe)
I accidently did the same thing (didn't run the car for over 3 weeks and my Optima Red top didn't have enough juice to crank engine), doing this actually damaged my battery though. Luckily I only had the battery for 2.7 years and still had a few months left on the "3 YEAR FREE REPLACEMENT WARANTY", so I took it to my local Advance Auto and they charged it & ran a load test on it and sure enough battery had a bad cell. So I walked out with a brand new Optim Red Top in hand for free. :D :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,298
Likes: 0
From: Tyler TX
Re: Dead Optima (97C5ENVY)
I had a Red top that lasted about 6 wks and started losing charge . I made the mistake of boosting it of with my other car and it soon went dead so I took it back to Battery Plus and they gave me a new Yellow Top and it has worked great for 2yrs now. :cheers:
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Re: Dead Optima (99SilverC5Coupe)
AGM batteries like fairly-high current when being charged. 6 amps is probably the minimum current you'd want to use. Optimum is about 20 amps. Be sure to use an automatic charger.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
From: Oregon City , Oregon USA
Re: Dead Optima (99SilverC5Coupe)
I've got the product sheet for the Optima red top in front of me and it says suggested charging rates are as follows. Battery charger(constant voltage): 13.8 to 15 volts, 10 amps MAXIMUM, 8-10 hours. Rapid recharge (constant voltage):Max voltage 15.6, no current limit as long as temperature stays below 125* F. Charge until current drops below 1 amp. Float charge: 13.2 to 13.8 volts, 1 amp max. When using a constant voltage charger, amperage will taper down as the battery becomes recharged. When amperage drops below 1 amp the battery will be close to fully charged.
