optima

[KQQL IT]

Left the dome light on for a week.
Any tips for getting it charged again.
So far have another optima paralled with jumper cables.
On the trickle charger.

Am I wasting my time?

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I don't think so, but I would start it as soon as possible to get a full charge.

Either way what is it going to cost you besides a few minutes time.

[KQQL IT]

Time I have.
Give it an 18 hour charge and see what happens.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

What part of the People's republic of california do you call home.

[f.monroe]

Needs to be paralleled with a traditional lead acid battery and hooked to a trickle charger.

[KQQL IT]

Only had another AGM battery at home.
From my crew cab.
So far so good.
Seems to be charging whether or not it lives is another ?
And 559 is home. Work in 951

[KQQL IT]

1.5 amp trickle charger.
Hope its enough

[mongoose]

i think the optima chager they sell is only like 1 or two amps. high amp chargers seem to be what kills em.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

I've had optima batteries for 15 years now. 2 of them. one I had in my 87 astro and the other in my old 81 crew cab. The crew broke down and sat for 3 years out back before I sold it. pulled the battery out of it, it was so dead it didn'teven show 3volts on my fluke. So I hooked it to my trickle charger for 48 hours and it came right back up. Still have the batteries both now reside in my suburban and have been since Nov. 2006.

So in short ...yes they are great batteries and will last a long long time. BTW These are the same orignal 2 batteries I bought back in 1999.

[KQQL IT]

I'm at 25 hours. Its 108° out it'll go till tonight

[cadillac_al]

Originally Posted by BLE 'BURBAN

I've had optima batteries for 15 years now. 2 of them. one I had in my 87 astro and the other in my old 81 crew cab. The crew broke down and sat for 3 years out back before I sold it. pulled the battery out of it, it was so dead it didn'teven show 3volts on my fluke. So I hooked it to my trickle charger for 48 hours and it came right back up. Still have the batteries both now reside in my suburban and have been since Nov. 2006.

So in short ...yes they are great batteries and will last a long long time. BTW These are the same orignal 2 batteries I bought back in 1999.

I had the same experience. I thought I killed my Optima by leaving it in a unused truck for a year (-20 F) and it had very low voltage. I put it on the trickle charger and a couple days later it was done. Still going strong and I bought it in 2003.

[Jeepwm69]

Originally Posted by BLE 'BURBAN

I've had optima batteries for 15 years now. 2 of them. one I had in my 87 astro and the other in my old 81 crew cab. The crew broke down and sat for 3 years out back before I sold it. pulled the battery out of it, it was so dead it didn'teven show 3volts on my fluke. So I hooked it to my trickle charger for 48 hours and it came right back up. Still have the batteries both now reside in my suburban and have been since Nov. 2006.

So in short ...yes they are great batteries and will last a long long time. BTW These are the same orignal 2 batteries I bought back in 1999.

Correction, they WERE great batteries. I've got them on two GMC's, three Jeeps, and two tractors. Been using Red Tops since 1997-98.

Last two I bought (on the same day in 2009) were both dead in about 10 months.

Optima was bought out by Johnson Controls, moved production to Mexico.

Next battery I buy will be an Odyssey/ Sears Platinum. I'm not shelling out $200 for a made in mexico batt that won't last a year.

[cadillac_al]

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

Correction, they WERE great batteries. I've got them on two GMC's, three Jeeps, and two tractors. Been using Red Tops since 1997-98.

Last two I bought (on the same day in 2009) were both dead in about 10 months.

Optima was bought out by Johnson Controls, moved production to Mexico.

Next battery I buy will be an Odyssey/ Sears Platinum. I'm not shelling out $200 for a made in mexico batt that won't last a year.

Well that's a bummer but good to know. Thanks for the heads up.

[KQQL IT]

Well It took a week on a trickle charger.
But who knows if it has any load capacity left.

[B Barber]

I have a red top in mine at the moment. I put the last one in while the truck was in paint prison, and it only lasted about 3 months. It did charge back up, though. Then it went completely dead while it was in the chassis shop. I got it back home and put it on trickle charge for about 18 hours, only to notice that it didn't come up but 1%. The only reason I have a new Optima is because the original was warrantied, and I couldn't find a 34 series battery with enough CCA to be sufficient at the time. I will not purchase another one.

[cadillac_al]

I have been researching US made batteries and it seems East Penn is making the best batteries in the USA. I see that Carquest batteries are made by East Penn so it looks like my next battery will come from my local Carquest dealer. No mexican optimas for me.

[KQQL IT]

Seems like its normal self.
Started and stopped all weekend.

[Jeepwm69]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

I have been researching US made batteries and it seems East Penn is making the best batteries in the USA. I see that Carquest batteries are made by East Penn so it looks like my next battery will come from my local Carquest dealer. No mexican optimas for me.

East Penn same as Deka? I bought a Deka battery from my local Carquest after the last Optima fiasco. Deka are made in the US still. It works fine but won't hold a charge for extended periods like the Optimas of old would do. That's why I figure I'll get an Odyssey next.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

Correction, they WERE great batteries.

I agree.
I used to swear by them but then had a string of bad luck with them.

I have an older yellow top in my 76 now that seems to be good maybe it was from before their quality dropped off.

I do sure like the way they look. Especially with the optional smooth top cover on them.

[Desert1957]

I have 2 red top Optima's

Nova battery is 8 years and counting 0 problems (constant battery tender)
Silverado battery lasted 22 months and would not hold a charge (Mexico)

Next time NO Optima for me , Too pricey for less than 2 years...

Desert

[Jeepwm69]

Odyssey are supposedly the new gold standard in AGM's, but they are PRICEY. The good Optimas I used to get for about $100-125 (I'd wait till they offered a rebate or 4wd.com had a sale)

I'll get a Diehard Platinum from Sears. Rebadged Odyssey and that way I have a local place to return it if I have a problem. Not a lot of Odyssey dealers around.