Trickle charger on an Optima?

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

Can I use a "Battery Tender" trickle charger on my Optima battery?

aoua · aoua's Garage

yup.

have had mine charging during this LONG WINTER!!!!!!!!!!!

KFC911 · 03-27-2007, 10:09 AM

I sure hope so...I just bought $500 worth of Optimas (two) and Battery tenders for my boat. I got tired of replacing batteries every few years, and decided to try this route....suscribed.

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

THANKS!

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

I would say yes. I got me one also after I had the battery on the C4 die. It got sucked empty by the alarm would not take any charge. Now with the battery minder all seems to be good. Then for the Optima in the Targa I had the same issue. It was the Motronic and the clock that sucked the Optima empty. Well, another trickke charger and this should be a problem of the past.

If you go to the Optima website this is what is says in the FAQ about maintenance chargers: "Yes, you can use any charger on an OPTIMA as long as the voltage is regulated properly. If your charger will remain on indefinitely the voltage should be at 13.8 volts maximum with a one amp maximum current."

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

I have used a trickle charger on my WestCo gel-cels for about 5 years now. Everyone is still happy so I guess it's a good fit.

Joeaksa · 03-27-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by silverc4s
I have used a trickle charger on my WestCo gel-cels for about 5 years now. Everyone is still happy so I guess it's a good fit.

Using one on my WestCo battery in the motorcycle right now.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Works great for me.

KFC911 · 03-28-2007, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ischmitz
...If you go to the Optima website this is what is says in the FAQ about maintenance chargers: "Yes, you can use any charger on an OPTIMA as long as the voltage is regulated properly. If your charger will remain on indefinitely the voltage should be at 13.8 volts maximum with a one amp maximum current."

I've got a couple of "Battery Tenders" on the way that have a 1.5 amp current. I sure hope that's an insignificant difference but I seem to remember a caveat about following the specs. I've been using a different brand name tender (can't remember which) on my motorcycle for a couple of years and it works great. Has anyone had experience with the Optima Blue Tops (Marine/deep cycle)?

AvonGil · 03-28-2007, 03:59 AM

I have a 800 ma Deltran battery tender, it takes about a day to charge up the battery after the car is put away but then it mostly idles after that. Works great with my red optima, and it was 25 bucks on ebay.

Porsche_monkey · 03-28-2007, 05:47 AM

I think they are fine for maintaining a charge, but it will not recharge a dead battery.

911pcars · 03-28-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PBH
I think they are fine for maintaining a charge, but it will not recharge a dead battery.

That was my assessment as well until my newish Optima (1/2005) died while sitting with a circuit discharge. I thought I'd have to awaken the battery by jolting it with a large charge like my previous Optima. Instead, I tried the trickle charger on it and next morning it was fine.

FWIW,
Sherwood

cschofield · 03-28-2007, 04:31 PM

I also have uses a Battery Tender 1.5A and Optima Red for years without any problems. I also use the Battery Tender Jr. on my 998. I highly recommend.

rick conrath · 03-28-2007, 04:41 PM

I don't know if the trickle charger can maintain the battery. If you ever discharge the Optima...you have to jolt the Optima with a high amperage charge, prior to putting it back on the trickle charge or it won't charge at all.

Rick

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I bought a C-Tech charger for my Optima and my Odyssey batteries and it works well..

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by cschofield
I also have uses a Battery Tender 1.5A and Optima Red for years without any problems. I also use the Battery Tender Jr. on my 998. I highly recommend.

I feel better. I ordered a Battery Tender 1.5A yesterday.

Thanks for the tip on the Jr...so far, the MTS 1000 hasn't sat still long enough for the battery to go dead.

RoninLB · 03-28-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KC911

Has anyone had experience with the Optima Blue Tops (Marine/deep cycle)?

yep

ng on my car. Deep Cycle needs a marine style alternator regulator. My DC slowly lost max voltage over the course of 1yr.

West Marine www.westmarine.com has a super sale on batteries 3/29-4/1. A good marine starter battery should have thicker plates than auto.