Proper way to maintain a Optima Red Top through the winter?

[Berto]

Here is the email I just drafted up to Optima. Anyone here have experience with this?

 

 

Hello,

I am parking my car for the winter and was trying to determine what float charger or tender I can use on my automotive Red-top 12V battery. I looked in your FAQ section and found the information below. I went out and bought the float charger linked below. It specifies that 'It maintains a battery charge for batteries rated from 5 to 125 amp-hours, by providing a 13.2 VDC maximum output'. However in the caution it says "Do not use on gel lead-acid or AGM type batteries.

What tender/float charger is approved by Optima?

http://www.harborfreight.com/automatic-battery-float-charger-42292.html

 

OPTIMA REDTOP CHARGING INFORMATION

OPTIMA RedTop Charging Information

The following charging methods are recommended to insure a long battery life - always use a voltage-regulated charger, with voltage limits set as described below.

 

RedTop Type: 34 & 34R - 34/78 - 78 - 25 & 35 - 75/25

These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are NOT recommended or warranted for use in deep cycle applications.

 

Recommended charging information:

Alternator:

13.3 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.

Battery Charger:

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

Rapid Recharge:

Maximum voltage 15.6 volts (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125°F (51.7°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.

[Draco-REX]

I swear by my Battery Tender. I'll let the car sit all winter, then turn the key for 10 seconds to charge the fuel lines and it'll start like I drove it the day before.

[hot_wire]

Not sure about Optima Red Tops specifically, but Batteries Plus recommended that I charge my summer car's battery once a month for a 24hr period on 2 amps using a conventional 12v charger.

[TurboTank]

throw it away. and buy other sealed battery.

[Berto]

My problem is I've hosed another red top I had with a conventional charger.

 

Doing some research I found the that 'battery tender Jr' is rated for AGM batteries, but if you read the description on their site, they charge up to 14.4 volts before settling down at 13.2, which goes against what Optima recommends on their FAQ.

 

URGH.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190462320601&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_865wt_1165

[ponyjr1647545514]

check out Ctek chargers, they have a charge mode that is specific for drycell, AGM, and Optima. The chargers pulse while maintaining the battery. At Iron Pony we sell three different versions, only two of which have that special charge mode. The 3.3amp one sells for 79.99, and the 7 amp for $149.99. I own one of each, the higher priced one even has a recondition mode to help "fix" older batteries. http://www.ctek.com/EN-US/home/Default.aspx

[neonkiller]

My Yellow top just shit the bed...

[Total Sign]

check out Ctek chargers, they have a charge mode that is specific for drycell, AGM, and Optima. The chargers pulse while maintaining the battery. At Iron Pony we sell three different versions, only two of which have that special charge mode. The 3.3amp one sells for 79.99, and the 7 amp for $149.99. I own one of each, the higher priced one even has a recondition mode to help "fix" older batteries. http://www.ctek.com/EN-US/home/Default.aspx

 

 

The only way to go with an optima. The prices really dropped!

[SPL_Josh]

The only way to go with an optima. The prices really dropped!

 

 

Nope deka intimidator ftw, better than optima and cheaper.

AGM ftw

[AJ]

just start the car and let it run for 15 min or so every few weeks.

[Fubar231]

just start the car and let it run for 15 min or so every few weeks.

 

this.

 

If your car is sitting all winter, are you going to drain all the fluids? If not, wouldnt you want to start it every now and then.

[SPL_Josh]

just start the car and let it run for 15 min or so every few weeks.

 

This will not increase the resting voltage. Only a trickle charger or a charger with a 2 amp charge.

 

If the battery still has a decent charge, AJ has the best way.

[BrianZ06]

I have a red top thats going on 2-3 years and I use a battery tender for the winter. Never had a problem.

[AJ]

its also better for the engine to be started too. ever seen inside of an engine that hasn't been started in months and wasn't winterized? the cylinder walls start to rust.

[TA In Progress]

I have a red top thats going on 2-3 years and I use a battery tender for the winter. Never had a problem.

 

Same here. My last red top lasted 7 years doing this.

[frenchy chan]

Same here. My last red top lasted 7 years doing this.

 

Glad to hear this because we have one on our car now...got it last year towards the end of the winter

[Berto]

Here is Optima's Response, of course optima wants you to spend $130+ for a battery tender. urgh.

Hello

 

The best method for consumers to maximize AGM battery performance or to recover a deeply discharged AGM battery is to use a modern AGM specific charger with a desulfation mode.

 

Since there are many great battery chargers on the market, we do not have the capability of testing each one. We do not “Officially” endorse specific chargers yet we will supply information about chargers that our customers and staff have used and liked. These are becoming more common and they work great for all lead acid batteries. In most cases these chargers will recover deeply discharged AGM batteries.

 

These units have the additional capability of doubling as a battery “maintainer” for storage. Some also come with additional wiring to permanently attach leads from your battery to an accessible spot on your vehicle. This makes it easy to hook up when you store the car, boat or RV. Here are a few that we have gotten feedback from consumers about:

 

Ctek, Multi US 7000 or 7002:

http://www.ctek.com/EN-US/Buy-US-Charger.aspx

 

Interacter, EX 12 volt model:

http://www.interacter.com/EX_Page.htm

 

For regular charging we recommend 2 amps with a max of 10 amps, 13.8-15.0V. For float charging we recommend 1 amp max, 13.2-13.8v.

Thank you,

Mary Jo

Optima Customer Service

Edited December 6, 2010 by Berto
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