Optima/Battery Tender Question...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,019
Likes: 2
From: Russellville, Kentucky 1967 Sting Ray & 2001 C5
Optima/Battery Tender Question...
I bought a battery tender today. I was surprised to see that EVERY tender I looked at (went to 4 stores) had a statement on the box that said "for use on Lead/Acid batteries only."
I can't believe that you can't put a tender on a Red Top.
Why do they make this statement? Is there an issue with using a tender on a gel-cell? Or, as I am guessing, they are differentiating a lead/acid battery from a dry cell?
I can't believe that you can't put a tender on a Red Top.
Why do they make this statement? Is there an issue with using a tender on a gel-cell? Or, as I am guessing, they are differentiating a lead/acid battery from a dry cell?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,234
Likes: 19
From: Freestate Corvette Club! Elkridge, MD
St. Jude Donor '17
Originally Posted by RFJohnston
I bought a battery tender today. I was surprised to see that EVERY tender I looked at (went to 4 stores) had a statement on the box that said "for use on Lead/Acid batteries only."
I can't believe that you can't put a tender on a Red Top.
Why do they make this statement? Is there an issue with using a tender on a gel-cell? Or, as I am guessing, they are differentiating a lead/acid battery from a dry cell?
I can't believe that you can't put a tender on a Red Top.
Why do they make this statement? Is there an issue with using a tender on a gel-cell? Or, as I am guessing, they are differentiating a lead/acid battery from a dry cell?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 17,710
Likes: 1,219
From: Phila PA, Bonita Springs FL
You have to get a special Battery Tender for the Optimas..
I called up Battery Tender people, and they told me they make 2 types.
I think its something about the charge rate or something they did when its going to be used on a spiral cell battery..
Cost was the same.. I'll try to shoot a pic later on tonight or give a model #..
I called up Battery Tender people, and they told me they make 2 types.
I think its something about the charge rate or something they did when its going to be used on a spiral cell battery..
Cost was the same.. I'll try to shoot a pic later on tonight or give a model #..
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 301
From: Bonita CA
[QUOTE=RFJohnston]I bought a battery tender today. I was surprised to see that EVERY tender I looked at (went to 4 stores) had a statement on the box that said "for use on Lead/Acid batteries only."
I can't believe that you can't put a tender on a Red Top.
I think you are confusing a "Lead/Acid" battery with a "Flooded Type" battery. There a three kinds of Lead/ Acid batteries: Flooded (Most Common), Gel (Sealed), and Absorbant Glass Mat (Optima).
I can't believe that you can't put a tender on a Red Top.
I think you are confusing a "Lead/Acid" battery with a "Flooded Type" battery. There a three kinds of Lead/ Acid batteries: Flooded (Most Common), Gel (Sealed), and Absorbant Glass Mat (Optima).
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
[QUOTE=2KREDVert]
Optimas are not a Glass mat battery, they are Spiral Cell batteries. I've used a general purpose Automatic Charger on my Red top for 5 years, and my Battery is fine.
Originally Posted by RFJohnston
I bought a battery tender today. I was surprised to see that EVERY tender I looked at (went to 4 stores) had a statement on the box that said "for use on Lead/Acid batteries only."
I can't believe that you can't put a tender on a Red Top.
I think you are confusing a "Lead/Acid" battery with a "Flooded Type" battery. There a three kinds of Lead/ Acid batteries: Flooded (Most Common), Gel (Sealed), and Absorbant Glass Mat (Optima).
I can't believe that you can't put a tender on a Red Top.
I think you are confusing a "Lead/Acid" battery with a "Flooded Type" battery. There a three kinds of Lead/ Acid batteries: Flooded (Most Common), Gel (Sealed), and Absorbant Glass Mat (Optima).
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 301
From: Bonita CA
[QUOTE=wwashing]Optimas are not a Glass mat battery, they are Spiral Cell batteries.
They are still a glass mat type as far as charging properties are concerned, just spiral wound instead of laid flat. They are not flooded or gel.
They are still a glass mat type as far as charging properties are concerned, just spiral wound instead of laid flat. They are not flooded or gel.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 17,710
Likes: 1,219
From: Phila PA, Bonita Springs FL
The model I have is 022-0071
Looks like its now replaced by model 022-0157.
By the technical info, it looks like my 0071 model may be a little bit stronger/better??
See page 5 for the comparison to my older 022-0071 model...
http://batterytender.com/includes/la..._Info_LWOB.pdf
Looks like its now replaced by model 022-0157.
By the technical info, it looks like my 0071 model may be a little bit stronger/better??
See page 5 for the comparison to my older 022-0071 model...
http://batterytender.com/includes/la..._Info_LWOB.pdf
Last edited by YO-EL; Jan 13, 2005 at 09:30 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage AK
I have a battery tender plus that I ordered from http://www.batterytender.com On the back of the package it says " The Battery Tender Plus will correctly charge and maintain any type of lead-acid battery-AGM(absorbed glass mat), sealed calcium or gel batteries. I have it hooked up to a Redtop. No problems with it.....The model number I have is 021-0128.
Last edited by Rickk; Jan 13, 2005 at 10:36 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood WA
Originally Posted by Rickk
I have a battery tender plus that I ordered from http://www.batterytender.com On the back of the package it says " The Battery Tender Plus will correctly charge and maintain any type of lead-acid battery-AGM(absorbed glass mat), sealed calcium or gel batteries. I have it hooked up to a Redtop. No problems with it.....The model number I have is 021-0128.
Just bought two new ones and they are model #021-0128Battery Tender Plus
