Where's my Optima? Oh that's right. Dead.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

As some of you guys know I went down for hip surgery recently. Poor Cecilia has sat with her seats unwarmed and her bolts unmolested for the past month and a half, a few days of which were below freezing.

Not acceptable! I don't need her leaving me for spousal abuse!

Well today was nice outside and I was feeling my oats so I crutched out to her to give her a rollover and I hear that famous tic-tic-tic of a dead battery.

Just a few weeks ago there was a thread about new optima batteries that discussed great long-term storage solutions now that Optima is junk but I searched and couldn't find it.

If one of you guys has it bookmarked (or has better kung fu than me) would you post up a link?

As for Cecilia, don't worry about her being neglected. I had a helper fetch me a jumpbox STAT and she rolled right over, purring like a kitten. She was happy

[Slow Build]

This one is about the new optima's not being good. Don't remember a long term storage thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=optima

[Sillyoldman]

The trick is, is not to allow an AGM Battery go dead completely. They will not always charge back up like a wet acid battery often will. Try putting a good battery on a 10 amp charge and then run jumper cables from that battery to your AGM. It works if the AGM was not totally depleted.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Originally Posted by Slow Build

This one is about the new optima's not being good. Don't remember a long term storage thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=optima

That was it. Thank you!
I searched "Optima" and never pulled it up.

Originally Posted by Sillyoldman

The trick is, is not to allow an AGM Battery go dead completely. They will not always charge back up like a wet acid battery often will. Try putting a good battery on a 10 amp charge and then run jumper cables from that battery to your AGM. It works if the AGM was not totally depleted.

So what I want is NOT AGM I guess. I need a battery that can sit all winter and then BOOM - start a lightning storm.

[Bugeyev8]

they require a special charging procedure, otherwise they dont charge, check their web site

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

OPTIMA® Tech Tips: Proper Battery Charging
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23zxrnyMAZc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieo71HWRSAo

OPTIMA® Batteries, Inc.
https://www.youtube.com/user/OptimaB...?feature=watch

[ABX131]

Harbor Freight sells these 1 amp trickle chargers and they go on sale from time to time for about $5 each. I have several because of all the batteries I have and at the end of summer I use a regular battery charger to fully charge my batteries then put them on the trickle chargers through the winter.

[63burban]

Did you check your connections ?? Happens to me now and then

[bbadfred]

I used Optima batterys in the 60 vette when it was street legal and also as a race car/ with Alternator the 2 race cars a 62 bubble top with a 585 13.1 compression and the dragster with 14.1 compression and they never failed us but I always had then on a battery tender when parked and fast charger when at the race track. I never had any issues with them. A friend just got his 37 chevy running two years ago after 10-12 year build and his 2 6v optimas are working fine(he always kept them on a battery tender)

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I use a battery tender too, this one here. It has worked OK for a few years now.

Re: Optima charging - if you need special charging instructions for your battery aside from "connect to charger, enjoy electricity" then you should probably rethink how you build 'em.
That's my 2 cents anyway heh!

[OptimaJim]

FetchMeAPepsi, I'm sorry to hear about your hip surgery, but hope you have a speedy recovery. I know many of my friends who had replacements always end up angry that they didn't do it sooner. Anytime your battery is discharged to the point that you need a jump-start, you should fully-recharge your battery with a battery charger as soon as possible.

Most alternators are designed to maintain batteries, not recharge deeply-discharged batteries. Asking that task of an alternator can lead to a cycle of dead batteries and jump-starts, until either your battery or alternator fail. Did you happen to measure the voltage of your battery when it wouldn't turn over your engine? What settings were you using on your battery maintainer prior to attempting to start the truck?

As Sillyoldman suggested, not letting a battery completely discharge in the first place is a good idea, but if it does happen, the parallel charging technique he mentioned can recover deeply-discharged batteries. We made a YouTube video, which explains this procedure.

Traditional flooded batteries have much higher internal resistance than AGM batteries. While that low internal resistance allows AGM batteries to accept and deliver current at much higher rates than flooded batteries, it also allows them to become more deeply-discharged, especially when connected to vehicles with parasitic draws. However, they do have a much lower self-discharge rate than flooded batteries, so they can hold voltage for much longer than flooded batteries, when stored for extended periods of time.

Bugeyev8, our batteries do not require a special charging procedure. They can be charged and maintained just like regular lead-acid batteries in most circumstances. It is only when they become deeply-discharged, that some chargers may not recognize or charge them, but that is specific to chargers and true of all AGM batteries. Quality battery maintenance devices are an excellent investment for any vehicle that doesn't see regular use. However, there are many maintenance devices on the market that do not regulate voltage or amperage. While they are often better than nothing at all, devices that are microprocessor-controlled will maximize the performance and lifespan of any battery.

If anyone has any questions about our products, I'll do my best to answer them.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by OptimaJim

FetchMeAPepsi, I'm sorry to hear about your hip surgery, but hope you have a speedy recovery. I know many of my friends who had replacements always end up angry that they didn't do it sooner. Anytime your battery is discharged to the point that you need a jump-start, you should fully-recharge your battery with a battery charger as soon as possible.

Most alternators are designed to maintain batteries, not recharge deeply-discharged batteries. Asking that task of an alternator can lead to a cycle of dead batteries and jump-starts, until either your battery or alternator fail. Did you happen to measure the voltage of your battery when it wouldn't turn over your engine? What settings were you using on your battery maintainer prior to attempting to start the truck?

As Sillyoldman suggested, not letting a battery completely discharge in the first place is a good idea, but if it does happen, the parallel charging technique he mentioned can recover deeply-discharged batteries. We made a YouTube video, which explains this procedure.

Traditional flooded batteries have much higher internal resistance than AGM batteries. While that low internal resistance allows AGM batteries to accept and deliver current at much higher rates than flooded batteries, it also allows them to become more deeply-discharged, especially when connected to vehicles with parasitic draws. However, they do have a much lower self-discharge rate than flooded batteries, so they can hold voltage for much longer than flooded batteries, when stored for extended periods of time.

Bugeyev8, our batteries do not require a special charging procedure. They can be charged and maintained just like regular lead-acid batteries in most circumstances. It is only when they become deeply-discharged, that some chargers may not recognize or charge them, but that is specific to chargers and true of all AGM batteries. Quality battery maintenance devices are an excellent investment for any vehicle that doesn't see regular use. However, there are many maintenance devices on the market that do not regulate voltage or amperage. While they are often better than nothing at all, devices that are microprocessor-controlled will maximize the performance and lifespan of any battery.

If anyone has any questions about our products, I'll do my best to answer them.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries

Thanks for your response Jim! That's what I researched.
I have mine behind the seat where the stock gas tank used to be.
I do like these batteries!

http://youtu.be/FaM7exZmzKY

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Well points for replying, OptimaJim. At least you're not scared to get your hands dirty and that matters around here.

The problem may be with the new type of battery you guys are putting out. All of us have 30 yr old chargers that we've used without fail on previous batteries. Now you guys throw out a new battery that replaces the old ones (that we could get 12 + years from). Then we see that we're getting 2-4 years out of them. That's not good.

If it's on the "consumer" side of things then you guys need to educate everyone, saying "DO NOT CHARGE ON TYPICAL CHARGER" with a big fat sticker on the battery.

If it's on the manufacturing end, well you know what you need to do there. Hire back the grey-hairs and git-r-done!


Edited to add: I do use a battery maintainer as I mentioned in my previous post. If that's not the right type then do you have a suggestion aside from the 250.00 Optima branded one?

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

How to Charge an Optima Battery - Summit Racing Quick Flicks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpsZJd_sUc8