Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help,
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Upstate Snow Country NY
Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help,
installed last May so I thought I would not need a trickle charger.......... WRONG... I'm trying to use a exhaust manifold bolt for the groung and the positive battery terminal for the Pos. My charger ( set for maint free batt ) is not moving off " O " charge. Is it posible for the charger to not work properly ? :bb :bb Gentlemen, light your torches !!
Is it possible that the battery is so dead it won't take a charge ??
Surely someone else has had this experience.....
[Modified by Cruises, 3:48 PM 2/29/2004]
[Modified by Cruises, 3:48 PM 2/29/2004]
Is it possible that the battery is so dead it won't take a charge ??
Surely someone else has had this experience.....
[Modified by Cruises, 3:48 PM 2/29/2004]
[Modified by Cruises, 3:48 PM 2/29/2004]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
From: Troy MI
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (Cruises)
Why not use the ground post on the battery?
You are adding a ton of resistance going through a rusty exhaust manifold.
The red top is the normal cycle battery right? If so there is a good chance you will need to use your warranty. Once a non-deep cycle battery is drained its life is usually very short.
I assume you are storing your car, did you disconnect the battery?
You are adding a ton of resistance going through a rusty exhaust manifold.
The red top is the normal cycle battery right? If so there is a good chance you will need to use your warranty. Once a non-deep cycle battery is drained its life is usually very short.
I assume you are storing your car, did you disconnect the battery?
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,136
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (Cruises)
I have 4 Optimas. Sorry to tell ya, but you probably hurt your battery.
If my car is to sit for more than a couple of weeks, I hook up a Battery Tender to the battery. You did a long slow drain of your Optima. The Optima is a great battery but it is not indistructable which you may have done. Next time, either disconnect the battery or even better, use a Battery tender.
If my car is to sit for more than a couple of weeks, I hook up a Battery Tender to the battery. You did a long slow drain of your Optima. The Optima is a great battery but it is not indistructable which you may have done. Next time, either disconnect the battery or even better, use a Battery tender.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 545
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From: Upstate Snow Country NY
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (msuc5vette)
I did not use the neg ground post because I kind of remember something in the owners manual that recommended against that procedure. Unfortunately, the owners manual is in one of the storage ports in my vert which won't open the trunk lid w/o power. Yes, I know about the remote open cable.... that's the one I sealed up with the soundproofing to mimimize the tire noise from the run-craps...... :banghead: :banghead:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (Cruises)
I did not use the neg ground post because I kind of remember something in the owners manual that recommended against that procedure. Unfortunately, the owners manual is in one of the storage ports in my vert which won't open the trunk lid w/o power. Yes, I know about the remote open cable.... that's the one I sealed up with the soundproofing to mimimize the tire noise from the run-craps...... :banghead: :banghead:
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Upstate Snow Country NY
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (Cruises)
Thanks for the replies........... I'll check for a local distributor to see if I can resolve this problem. Next year, you can bet your bippie I'll have a proper charger !!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
From: Troy MI
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (Cruises)
If you are concerned about connecting to the neg terminal while it is in the car, disconnect the + from the car (which you should do to charge anyway) and connect the charger straight to the top posts (assuming you have them)
If it is a trickle charger you can probably charge it for 24 hours and see if it will start the car.
If I remember right the Optimas have a 3 yr warranty right?
If you lost the receipt get them to use the manufacture date for the warranty.
I have killed several Die Hards on my truck in less than a year, and Sears has always been great about replacing them.
Good luck :thumbs:
You don't happen to have a window vallet do you?
If it is a trickle charger you can probably charge it for 24 hours and see if it will start the car.
If I remember right the Optimas have a 3 yr warranty right?
If you lost the receipt get them to use the manufacture date for the warranty.
I have killed several Die Hards on my truck in less than a year, and Sears has always been great about replacing them.
Good luck :thumbs:
You don't happen to have a window vallet do you?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (Cruises)
My three year old Optima red top sits for months at a time.. in the winter... it has never failed to start... Ive never charged it... or used a battery tender...
AS far as the failure here in this post.. Optimas have a three year warranty free exchange.. after the first three years it is then pro rated..
AS far as the failure here in this post.. Optimas have a three year warranty free exchange.. after the first three years it is then pro rated..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 154
From: Green Bay WI
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (Cruises)
I hooked up my Red Top to a trickle charger all last winter and it ruined the memory of the battery. (Battery wouldn't hold a charge after being on the trickle charger all winter.) I don't think they work well for extended periods of time...maybe a few weeks instead of 4 months.
This winter, I just pulled the battery. I will charge it once if it needs it, but it's not going back on a trickle charger for a long period of time.
This winter, I just pulled the battery. I will charge it once if it needs it, but it's not going back on a trickle charger for a long period of time.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 545
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From: Upstate Snow Country NY
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (msuc5vette)
Actually, I started the whole process by removing both cables and connecting directly to the terminals. And yes, I think you are correct about mthe warranty but you know how it is if you can't start the car when you want to.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 545
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From: Upstate Snow Country NY
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (Evil-Twin)
This one has not failed to start since put away last Oct............and I usually start it every 4 - 6 weeks but missed the routine since after the holidays .
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 545
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From: Upstate Snow Country NY
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (CliffB-99)
Cliff, thanks for the info, I will not invest in a trickle charger if it's going to kill the battery......... I already know how to do that :lolg: :lolg:
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 1
From: Pittsford NY
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (CliffB-99)
I hooked up my Red Top to a trickle charger all last winter and it ruined the memory of the battery. (Battery wouldn't hold a charge after being on the trickle charger all winter.) I don't think they work well for extended periods of time...maybe a few weeks instead of 4 months.
This winter, I just pulled the battery. I will charge it once if it needs it, but it's not going back on a trickle charger for a long period of time.
This winter, I just pulled the battery. I will charge it once if it needs it, but it's not going back on a trickle charger for a long period of time.
This is why you need to use a VDC Battery Minder or a Deltran Battery
Tender Plus. They can be left on the battery indefinately with no
fear of damage. You can not do that with a trickle charger.
http://www.vdcelectronics.com/images...0is%20best.PDF
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (jerrymcb)
I hooked up my Red Top to a trickle charger all last winter and it ruined the memory of the battery. (Battery wouldn't hold a charge after being on the trickle charger all winter.) I don't think they work well for extended periods of time...maybe a few weeks instead of 4 months.
This winter, I just pulled the battery. I will charge it once if it needs it, but it's not going back on a trickle charger for a long period of time.
This is why you need to use a VDC Battery Minder or a Deltran Battery
Tender Plus. They can be left on the battery indefinately with no
fear of damage. You can not do that with a trickle charger.
http://www.vdcelectronics.com/images...0is%20best.PDF
This winter, I just pulled the battery. I will charge it once if it needs it, but it's not going back on a trickle charger for a long period of time.
This is why you need to use a VDC Battery Minder or a Deltran Battery
Tender Plus. They can be left on the battery indefinately with no
fear of damage. You can not do that with a trickle charger.
http://www.vdcelectronics.com/images...0is%20best.PDF
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Central ohio
Re: Dead RedTop Optima..........Need Help, (wwashing)
I used a battery tender plus all winter and have no problem at all. Just took the vette out yesterday for a cruise for the first time this year and battery was on full charge. The battery tender plus is my choice.