Did I kill my Optima?
#3166765
08/09/23 10:29 AM
08/09/23 10:29 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,046 MD
RTSE4ME
OP
top fuel
|
OP
top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,046
MD
|
I have a Optima yellow top 5+ years old. I left the trunk open for a few days and drained it. Had it on a Battery Tender for a week and will only charge to 11.6 volts. Also tried charging it through a second battery...no joy. Is this a paperweight now? These are really expensive now.....
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: RTSE4ME]
#3166770
08/09/23 10:44 AM
08/09/23 10:44 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,595 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
|
Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,595
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
|
You cannot charge an Optima like a normal battery. Battery tenders will NOT charge them. I found the best way to charge one it to put it in series with a regular battery on a 30 amp charge for a few hours, then switch it to 10 amp. There are specific types of chargers for Optima type batteries, but if you don't have one my method is preferred... Edit: I just read your post again, sounds like you tried it through another battery already, may have to charge it longer. One of mine sat for 3 years and I brought it back to life that way.
Last edited by Rhinodart; 08/09/23 10:45 AM.
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: Rhinodart]
#3166773
08/09/23 10:49 AM
08/09/23 10:49 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,733 Moved to N.E. Tennessee
GomangoCuda
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,733
Moved to N.E. Tennessee
|
You cannot charge an Optima like a normal battery. Battery tenders will NOT charge them. I found the best way to charge one it to put it in series with a regular battery on a 30 amp charge for a few hours, then switch it to 10 amp. There are specific types of chargers for Optima type batteries, but if you don't have one my method is preferred... Edit: I just read your post again, sounds like you tried it through another battery already, may have to charge it longer. One of mine sat for 3 years and I brought it back to life that way. I am pretty sure you meant to say parallel not series.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: topside]
#3166805
08/09/23 01:10 PM
08/09/23 01:10 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,220 Someplace you aren't
SomeCarGuy
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,220
Someplace you aren't
|
I revived an optima I left my fm convertor on and drained. It came back with a second battery.
I have the Autozone brand agm capable charger. It works on my dead agm to bring it back up, but that battery is old and won’t stay up though. Haven’t had to use it on my odyssey yet.
I want my fair share
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#3166962
08/09/23 11:07 PM
08/09/23 11:07 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,595 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
|
Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,595
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
|
You cannot charge an Optima like a normal battery. Battery tenders will NOT charge them. I found the best way to charge one it to put it in series with a regular battery on a 30 amp charge for a few hours, then switch it to 10 amp. There are specific types of chargers for Optima type batteries, but if you don't have one my method is preferred... Edit: I just read your post again, sounds like you tried it through another battery already, may have to charge it longer. One of mine sat for 3 years and I brought it back to life that way. I am pretty sure you meant to say parallel not series. Yep, try series anyway...LOL..
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: Rhinodart]
#3167005
08/10/23 08:57 AM
08/10/23 08:57 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,079 Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
|
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,079
Niles , Ohio
|
My son has one in his truck Its at least 10 years old and been dead many times.He charged it and its still working like new.This is probally at least 5 or 6 times it has been stone dead and recharged and it works.
Chrysler Firepower
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: therocks]
#3167102
08/10/23 03:35 PM
08/10/23 03:35 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,500 On the run…
BloFish
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,500
On the run…
|
I bought an Optima charger for this very reason.
It really doesn't matter whether you win or lose… as long as you look good doing it!
‘65 A100 ‘69 ‘Cuda ‘73 Vega GT ‘06 Mega Cab ‘14 Mercedes SLK
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: BloFish]
#3167127
08/10/23 05:02 PM
08/10/23 05:02 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,046 MD
RTSE4ME
OP
top fuel
|
OP
top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,046
MD
|
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: RTSE4ME]
#3167576
08/13/23 08:39 AM
08/13/23 08:39 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,488 Annapolis, MD, USA
Vert
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,488
Annapolis, MD, USA
|
Grab a NOCO GENIUS10 charger. https://no.co/genius10They are approx $100. Home Depot sells them, Battery Warehouse, Amazon... Get best reviews and ratings. I love mine. Have the 10 and the 5. GENIUS10 6V/12V 10-Amp Smart Battery Charger 10-Amp Battery Charger, Battery Maintainer, and Battery Desulfator Introducing the all-new GENIUS10, one of our most powerful, highest-performing, energy-efficient, and compact chargers yet. The GENIUS10 is a 6-volt and 12-volt battery charger, battery maintainer, and battery desulfator rated at 10-amp for lead-acid automotive, marine, and deep-cycle batteries, including flooded, gel, AGM, and maintenance-free, plus lithium-ion batteries. Meet the GENIUS10 - Similar to our G7200, just better. It's 17% smaller and delivers 115% more power. And it's simpler and easier to use than ever before. Do more with Genius - Designed for 6-volt and 12-volt lead-acid automotive, marine, and deep-cycle batteries, including flooded, gel, AGM, and maintenance-free, plus lithium-ion batteries. Enjoy precision charging - An integrated thermal sensor detects the ambient temperature and alters the charge to eliminate over-charging in hot climates and under-charging in cold climates. Charge dead batteries - Charges dead batteries as low as 1-volt. Or use the all-new Force Mode that allows you to take control and manually begin charging dead batteries down to zero volts. Simple to set up and use - Plug-in, connect to the battery, select a charge mode, and start charging your battery. A fully-automatic, worry-free battery charger for year-round use. Restore your battery - Detects sulfation and acid stratification and restores lost performance for stronger engine starts and extended battery life. Compatible with all types of vehicles - Charge and maintain cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers, ATVs, tractors, trucks, SUVs, boats, classic cars, hot rods, and more - you name it.
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: RTSE4ME]
#3167584
08/13/23 09:11 AM
08/13/23 09:11 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,028 Tulsa OK
Bad340fish
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,028
Tulsa OK
|
I have a Optima yellow top 5+ years old. I left the trunk open for a few days and drained it. Had it on a Battery Tender for a week and will only charge to 11.6 volts. Also tried charging it through a second battery...no joy. Is this a paperweight now? These are really expensive now..... A battery tender is worthless as a charger, they don't put enough current in to charge a dead battery up. They will charge a slightly discharged battery but they are meant to maintain a battery that doesn't see much use. Now that you have it at 11.6 volts go buy a charger with an AGM setting and let it charge on a 6-12 amp charge. The optima brand chargers are great, I have the 4 amp smaller one and it does very good despite the low output of 4 amps. Even if your optima doesn't come back an AGM charger is good to have if your purchase another AGM battery regardless of brand. Most chargers won't kick on if the battery is below 10 volts, that is the reasoning for hooking another battery in parallel. This would apply to any battery not just an optima.
68 Barracuda Formula S 340
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: Bad340fish]
#3167631
08/13/23 01:21 PM
08/13/23 01:21 PM
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,291 nowhere
Sniper
master
|
master
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,291
nowhere
|
Most chargers won't kick on if the battery is below 10 volts
There is a reason for that, it's called thermal runaway. A possibility when trying to charge a deeply discharged battery not designed for deep discharge. Now before someone pipes up with how they've done it for years with no problems, yeah I know I've done it too, but you aren't going to get sued if it happens and someone's house and car burns down. So the charger manufacturers but in limitations to mitigate that risk. What you do to defeat that is up to you.
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: RTSE4ME]
#3167642
08/13/23 02:16 PM
08/13/23 02:16 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,445 So Cal
Sinitro
master
|
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,445
So Cal
|
Don't ask me why... An Optima battery needs a special charging cycle.. Even though some smart chargers state they can handle AGM batteries.. I have Optima batteries in all (4) of my cars, typically I get 6-8 years, sometimes up to 10 years. If an Optima battery is low, I bought an Optima charger, and it works great to bring it back up. 1 of my Optimas'(yellow top) I accidently left a small hood light ON and it ran the battery down, hooked up the Optima charger and the battery recovered just fine.. Just my $0.02...
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: Sniper]
#3167644
08/13/23 02:24 PM
08/13/23 02:24 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,526 N.E. OHIO, USA
A12
Too Many Posts
|
Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,526
N.E. OHIO, USA
|
Most chargers won't kick on if the battery is below 10 volts
There is a reason for that, it's called thermal runaway. A possibility when trying to charge a deeply discharged battery not designed for deep discharge. Now before someone pipes up with how they've done it for years with no problems, yeah I know I've done it too, but you aren't going to get sued if it happens and someone's house and car burns down. So the charger manufacturers but in limitations to mitigate that risk. What you do to defeat that is up to you. Yeah just asked Jim about that. Sorry Jim to bring up bad memories.
|
|
|
Re: Did I kill my Optima?
[Re: RTSE4ME]
#3167692
08/13/23 06:27 PM
08/13/23 06:27 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,500 On the run…
BloFish
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,500
On the run…
|
Just buy it and don’t look back. One thing less to worry about.
It really doesn't matter whether you win or lose… as long as you look good doing it!
‘65 A100 ‘69 ‘Cuda ‘73 Vega GT ‘06 Mega Cab ‘14 Mercedes SLK
|
|
|
|
|