Optima battery problem

Ron McAtee · 03-12-2006, 10:20 AM

I put a sealed Optima battery in my 88 Carrera last Monday On Friday 10 March, I noticed battery acid coming out of it. I took it back for an exchange and now the new one is doing the same thing. I only put about 20 miles on it. If these are sealed....how can battery acid run out? They say they can be used in any position, but I don't think this one can. After using an acid battery for 18 years this the first time I've experienced a leak like this...and out of a sealed battery. This is confusing. Is it possible my alternator is causing the problem? Any ideas will be appreciated.

FrayAdjacent911 · 03-12-2006, 10:23 AM

Could be that your alt is overcharging your battery. What voltage are you getting at the battery with the engine idling? At 3krpm?

Ron McAtee · 03-12-2006, 10:51 AM

Haven't done any checks yet. I was just wondering why a sealed battery would leak acid. A lead acid battery I can understand, but not a sealed battery. I guess it's not so sealed as I thought.

RoninLB · 03-12-2006, 10:54 AM

the sealed battery is internal pressure activated.

Ron McAtee · 03-12-2006, 10:56 AM

Ronin, what does that mean?

Wil Ferch · 03-12-2006, 10:57 AM

Its a "sealed" battery alright...but it needs a last-ditch relief device anyway, in case of severe overcharging, or maybe other reasons. The small grey circles on top that look like fine mesh are these things.

I would check your charging system as indicated here...

- Wil

Ron McAtee · 03-12-2006, 11:01 AM

Thanks for the info guys. The acid is coming from around the gray round mesh things that look like foam rubber. I guess checkout of the system is in order for tomorrow.

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

Just because it's "sealed" does not mean ithe battery does not have acid in it.

You have a voltage regulator failure.
Read my post on Rennlist.

Ron McAtee · 03-12-2006, 12:53 PM

I read it and thanks a bunch. I'll take it in to my shop tomorrow and have it checked out. I will probably have to replace the alternator and voltage regulator since they are integral parts.

Wil Ferch · 03-13-2006, 05:03 AM

The VR can be replaced separately, but do read up on looking at the condition of the alternator's slip rings..and also the embedded-thread repair/replace procedure I wrote as a Tech Article for Pelican...

---> Alternator Install

- Wil

na2ub · 03-13-2006, 05:35 AM

I guess I should still put my "battery mat" I bought under my optima. I hoped I didn't throw it out! Supposedly it immediatly nuetralizes acid, in case of leakage. Damn, I think I may have thrown it out.

Doug

Wil Ferch · 03-13-2006, 05:43 AM

Under normal use and proper system condition.... a battery mat under an Optima is overkill and not required.....

- Wil

RoninLB · 03-13-2006, 07:23 AM

a voltage gage is a great cabin tool.

Early_S_Man · 09:07 AM

I have suggested many times that all 911s need a system Voltmeter to determine what your alternator and Voltage Regulator are up to, and the VDO 'Cockpit' gauge that Pelican sells is just fine for the task ...

VDO Voltmeter Gauge (2 1/16" dia) [Photo]
VDO-323041 $50.05

Optima recommends that the absolute highest Voltage applied to the RED TOP battery be 15.6 Volts ... here is the link to their spec page:

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive/starter/technical_specs.html

vash · vash's Garage

neat, really dumb que, where do you put that gauge? in the clock hole?

hmm, maybe in my center console.

pwd72s · 03-14-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vash
neat, really dumb que, where do you put that gauge? in the clock hole?

hmm, maybe in my center console.

Wanting to keep my dash looking original, I opted for a plug in voltage gauge...plugs into the cigarette lighter. When plugged in, I can't open the glove box door, but I don't consider that a huge loss. But it is REALLY a good idea to be able to check voltage easily. IMHO Porsche screwed the pooch by using a warning light instead of a volt gauge.

RoninLB · 03-14-2006, 11:55 AM

madmmac · madmmac's Garage

Might give this a try.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/showCustom-0/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2011207/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2011207/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=cigarette

Thrasher · Thrasher's Garage

Or use a Passport 8500 radar detector in Voltage Alarm mode.

Unless displaying a radar alert, it is a digital voltmeter (albeit at the cigarette lighter). It also has an audible and visual alarm if high or low voltage is present.

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by na2ub
I guess I should still put my "battery mat" I bought under my optima. I hoped I didn't throw it out! Supposedly it immediatly nuetralizes acid, in case of leakage. Damn, I think I may have thrown it out.

Doug

I took my yellow battery mat out, somehow it got wet in just a week. The car was sitting outside with two car covers on it, it had rained some. I had not driven in the rain either. I'd rather not have a wet sponge constantly on my car.

One more thing to fix.