How to recharge an Optima battery?

[WilliamBos]

No need to raise the war budget. I'll let Optima describe their own product.

The Optima Edge

I'll also say that my main application for my Optima is my tractor that had a regular lead-acid battery that seeped acid and acid vapors. Those vapors got drawn through my radiator and rusted the whole battery shelf. That caused a lot of damage to my tractor (pictures on request). I had to replace the radiator and HST cooler lines under warranty. The Optima ended that problem: no leakage, no damage, perfect starting. I'm a happy Optima camper.

Red or Yellow? I may do the same for out MF 35, and 1523. Yellow top for the deep cycle features.

 

[Richard]

Red or Yellow? I may do the same for out MF 35, and 1523. Yellow top for the deep cycle features.

I'm not saying it's true or not or good or not... but read about their blue topped batteries also. Guy in store said it was the best of both worlds. Also, being marine grade, that it (the one I was looking at) was THE strongest battery they had of any of them (red/yellow/blue)

Optima Blue Top Marine Batteries

 

[woodlandfarms]

On my PT, they do not have a glowplug, so you have to crank, and crank, and crank... When this battery dies I am over to the Yellowtop (It is on my charger, why I will never know except for ego).

But, the real question is that no one answered how to charge an Optima. I thought I had read somewhere that you wanted to use a larger charge current (not a trickle charge) with the Yellow tops. Anyone want to weigh in on the original question?

 

[Richard]

But, the real question is that no one answered how to charge an Optima. I thought I had read somewhere that you wanted to use a larger charge current (not a trickle charge) with the Yellow tops. Anyone want to weigh in on the original question?

I was told to charge it like a normal/regular battery.

As an aside...I just read this http://www.dcbattery.com/optimacatalog.pdf

My guess is their yellow/blue batteries MIGHT be the same and the blues have an extended warranty (hence, cost more)

I only looked at the one I had, the blue D31M. It's CCA's are 900, CA's 1125 and ambient CA of 1,300. Virtually identical to the yellow top BUT the blue is 36 months warranty and the yellow is 24 months.

hmmmmmm.....

 

[Kays Supply]

I put the NAPA version of the red top in my work truck to charge rechargable batteries. I did it so as to hopefully stop the fume and loose acid issue since it is inside the rear box of my walkthru van. I was running my truck battery dead if I charged more than one battery before lunch. Two would leave me afoot. The battery isolator has kept it charged and never let me down. Note, I am on my third battery under warrany. I don't know why but 11 months is all I have been able to get out of one. So far all three were replaced no charge and given another year. I don't know what I'll do if one lasts 13 months.

 

[tommu56]

One thing if the Alternator is charging is to look for a low current load that is draining the battery I usually just disconnect ground terminal at night and look for a spark it might be real weak. if you can see it start disconnecting stuff till it doesn't spark. You can put an amp meter in series with the ground if you know how to use it.


tommu56

 

[SPYDERLK]

I put the NAPA version of the red top in my work truck to charge rechargable batteries. I did it so as to hopefully stop the fume and loose acid issue since it is inside the rear box of my walkthru van. I was running my truck battery dead if I charged more than one battery before lunch. Two would leave me afoot. The battery isolator has kept it charged and never let me down. Note, I am on my third battery under warrany. I don't know why but 11 months is all I have been able to get out of one. So far all three were replaced no charge and given another year. I don't know what I'll do if one lasts 13 months.

What are you charging? Please describe your use in more detail.
larry

 

[Charolais]

I've used Optima for years now. What I've found on charging an Optima is like filling a 55 gal. drum with a tea cup. I've also found that 3 total discharges that the batteries won't come back to life on the 4th charge. I have 6 optima's in use now and buy nothing else. Like one post stated about battery acid, I had to replace a cruise control on a Dodge truck because of acid and had one lead acid battery to over charge and fill the radiator with acid.

I've had better results charging Optima's with a Vector charger. If you search the net(google) I think I saw an optima charger some place. I corrected the discharge problem on the one battery I tried to recharge the 4th time and haven't had any to use a charger on in the last 3 years. But the Vector charger worked better than any charger I tried.

I did a search before I submitted this post and here's a link. I haven't read it all but this may help.Optima Battery Charger

 

[jinman]

But, the real question is that no one answered how to charge an Optima. I thought I had read somewhere that you wanted to use a larger charge current (not a trickle charge) with the Yellow tops. Anyone want to weigh in on the original question?

This is from Optima's website:

Recommended charging information:
Alternator:

13.65 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.
Battery Charger:

13.8 to 15.0 volts, 10 amps maximum, 6-12 hours approximate.
Cyclic Applications:

14.7 volts, no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125ｰF (51.7ｰC). When current falls below 1 amp, finish with 2 amp constant current for 1 hour.
Rapid Recharge:

Maximum voltage 15.6 volts (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125ｰF (51.7ｰC). Charge until current drops below 1 amp.
Float Charge:

13.2 to 13.8 volts, 1 amp maximum current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).

All limits must be strictly adhered to.

Safety Information:

Always wear safety glasses when working with batteries.
Always use a voltage regulated battery charger with limits set to the above ratings. Overcharging can cause the safety valves to open and battery gasses to escape, resulting in premature failure. These gasses are flammable! You cannot replace water in sealed batteries that have been overcharged. Any battery that becomes very hot or makes a hissing sound while recharging should be disconnected immediately.
Failure to fully charge a battery can result in poor performance and a reduction in capacity.
​

 

[jinman]

Red or Yellow? I may do the same for out MF 35, and 1523. Yellow top for the deep cycle features.

Will, I went with the Red top because I have no discharge problems on my tractor. I only needed a starting application, no deep cycle. Also, at the time I bought it, Sams Club had a sale and I got it for less than $120.

Here is a picture of my battery shelf before the Optima and a picture of the Optima installed. The reason I have a battery box is that I added that to keep the OEM battery from spewing acid. It worked, but finally the OEM battery just died. I replaced it with the Optima.

My Optima has been in my tractor since August of 2006 and has worked flawlessly. Notice that it is not only in the box, but I also have it sitting on carpet padding and there is about 1-1/2" of carpet padding in the front of the box. That probably reduces shock, or at least it can't hurt.

 

[ToadHill]

It sounds like you have a short someplace that is draining the battery. I had a tractor like that once and never could find the short, everything worked and the only way I solved the problem was to buy a disconnect switch that I bolted to the + terminal on the battery. When I finished using the vehicle I flipped the blade to disconnect and before I started the vehicle I flipped it to connect.

 

[pat32rf]

In my case the battery was draining thru the alternator field. I installed a relay that broke the circuit unless the ignition key was turned on.

 

[Kays Supply]

Larry, I am charging DeWalt 18V cordless tool batterys. I am a plumbing contractor and do 90% of my cutting and screw driving with cordless tools.

 

[john_bud]

Well, doesn't that beat all...

Stopped by to talk about the results of the defective battery. Talked about a yellow top. Guy said I should look at BLUE top if I didn't mind the money. Said it was marine grade AND was "dual purpose" for cranking and deep cycle (or what ever it's called)

how much?

(clickty clickty click on his calculator)

Net difference after tax, about $76.00

HUH?

I got a 100% refund on my defective battery.... 100% !!!! no pro-rated no nothing but full refund.

Put it into Brutus and it fired up in its typical 3/4 revolution. (fast starting machine when you can get it to crank over)

I'm a happy camper

Question:

Did you actually put on the battery disconnect? If you didn't - you really should. If you did, please disconnect and put a digital amp meter between and see what the machine is drawing when off. It should be ZERO, unless you have a short. Even good batteries go bad when crossed with a short. And you don't want to mess with a bad battery...

jb

 

[Richard]

This is an old thread but my question is sort of related to it so at least you have history.

Update: I got one of those battery disconnects (blade type thing that lifts the ground from battery terminal). This has saved me some drain that I suspect I'm getting somewhere in my system. I have also learned that I seem to have a habit of leaving my key turned on...I'm sure that has nothing to do with my battery drain . (my machine has a manual kill knob, the key doesn't do it)

OR....just as plausable....

I don't really use my backhoe enough to keep the battery charged full time. I DO know that in the winter time I tend to have charging issues.

Here's my question... I've been searching for a solar battery charger. I've read here that you can get a trickle charger, float charger, chargers rated at 1.26 watts, 5 watts, up to 62 watts....

What to get if I wanted to get some kind of solar device that I could set on the hood of my machine when I'm not using it? I would want this device to do more of a maintain my battery rather than actually charge it since I have a plug in that I could use for that.

I park my machine far enough away from the house that if (when) I get into charging issues, I have to use my car to jump start it. I'd like to simply get a 12v device that I can put on the hood and hook up (via the battery clamps, not cigarette lighter socket type connector) to my battery and possibly FORGET about for 3 months with no harm done.

I'm more interested in getting something that works properly and is going to last than buying the absolute cheapest item. quality first, then price.

 

[tommu56]

Richard
hook some Anderson connectors (read electric forklift) to battery and to a convenient place and make a jumper cable to truck/car from there.


Hook the solar charger to that connector too.
tom

 

[KrazyBob613]

Not a stupid question at all... (as one who's done that before). I double checked and everything was hooked up properly.

Now, I should mention in all fairness.... couple days ago, when I went out to start the backhoe, I DID find that some DUFAS had left the ignition key in the 'on' position. Since I live 15 miles out of town and my next nearest neighbor is a mile away, I'm not sure WHO the DUFAS was, but if I ever catch that DUFAS who left the key turned on, he's in for a nice can of whup hiney!!

That clarify a lot!
Ok first conclusion, Battery has been totally discharged, this means it will require 36 to 48 hours on an automatic charger to restore it to a full state of charge and that is providing that the battery has not been damaged by freezing during it's discharged condition! You MUST monitor the Voltage and Charge rate. Limit the charge voltage to 15 volts / 10 amps for the first 4 hours then reduce the charge voltage to 13.8 volts / 2 amps for the next 3 days, only then can you test the battery and determine if it is any good! Easier solution is simply to buy a new one.

As to the dufas ... Install a locking ignition cover

 

[chevytex]

A while back I read that once a optima battery was completely discharge you can recharge it . you must use 2 batteries one regular 12 volt battery wired in parralel with the optima battery to the charger. Some qurik with the optima requires a minimun charge from the regular battery to offset the dead optima. then recharge as normal thru the the battery charger to the reg battery and to the optima which is in parralel. Hope it helps,,,,,

 

[Bob77064]

That's only with a regular charger, I got an Optima 1200 digital charger made for Optima batteries. OPTIMA® Chargers Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger and Maintainer :: OPTIMA® Batteries