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Re: Optima battery charging
[Re: super451b]
#820238
10/02/10 10:30 PM
10/02/10 10:30 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 50
Lincoln, NE
Bryx512
member
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member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 50
Lincoln, NE
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I teach battery technology so I think I can bring some light to this subject. Bear with me, the explanation is long... Optima batteries are designed in a way that they should not receive greater than 7 amps of charge. They will deal with a greater amount for a SHORT period of time but is NOT recommended! The reason for the limit on charging is due to it's construction. Each spiral cell is a continuous roll of perforated lead covered on both sides as it's rolled up with fiberglass matting and paste. Once they are installed in the case and connected to the posts, a specific amount of water and acid is added. The solution is absorbed by the matting and held next to the rolled lead plates. Now, the reason for the limiting of charging is due to potential evaporation of the water in the solution. If over charged, the water evaporates and once the pressure in the case reaches a certain pressure, the release valves in the top of the case (the two "stone" looking things) open. Once the pressure is released, and an amount of water leaves with it, the life of the battery is done (the valves do NOT reset). There are now chargers that are designed for AGM (Absorbed Glass Material) batteries. I hope this helps 
Last edited by Bryx512; 10/02/10 10:32 PM.
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Re: Optima battery charging
[Re: Bryx512]
#820239
10/02/10 10:43 PM
10/02/10 10:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,479
On the run…
BloFish
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,479
On the run…
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Quote:
I teach battery technology so I think I can bring some light to this subject. Bear with me, the explanation is long...
Optima batteries are designed in a way that they should not receive greater than 7 amps of charge. They will deal with a greater amount for a SHORT period of time but is NOT recommended! The reason for the limit on charging is due to it's construction. Each spiral cell is a continuous roll of perforated lead covered on both sides as it's rolled up with fiberglass matting and paste. Once they are installed in the case and connected to the posts, a specific amount of water and acid is added. The solution is absorbed by the matting and held next to the rolled lead plates. Now, the reason for the limiting of charging is due to potential evaporation of the water in the solution. If over charged, the water evaporates and once the pressure in the case reaches a certain pressure, the release valves in the top of the case (the two "stone" looking things) open. Once the pressure is released, and an amount of water leaves with it, the life of the battery is done (the valves do NOT reset).
There are now chargers that are designed for AGM (Absorbed Glass Material) batteries.
I hope this helps
 I charge mine with a regular charger, but only at 2 amps 
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‘65 A100
‘69 ‘Cuda
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Re: Optima battery charging
[Re: HEMIFRED]
#820242
10/02/10 11:11 PM
10/02/10 11:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,996
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,996
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
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I was wondering about charging my optima blue battery between rounds on high charge, so I called Optima directly to get answers. They said, charge it as fast as you want, but don't let the battery exceed 125 degrees. Obviously that must be the point they boil out the liquid? I have been pulling back into the pits and putting the charger on "start" for years, but really can't say how much I have gotten away with. Only that this didn't destroy the battery for the passes I made. Battery life seemed to be good, but again, no records to show just how much I put it through.
8..603 156 mph best, 2905 lbs 549, indy 572-13, alky
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Re: Optima battery charging
[Re: gregsdart]
#820244
10/02/10 11:47 PM
10/02/10 11:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 50
Lincoln, NE
Bryx512
member
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member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 50
Lincoln, NE
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Quote:
I was wondering about charging my optima blue battery between rounds on high charge, so I called Optima directly to get answers. They said, charge it as fast as you want, but don't let the battery exceed 125 degrees. Obviously that must be the point they boil out the liquid? I have been pulling back into the pits and putting the charger on "start" for years, but really can't say how much I have gotten away with. Only that this didn't destroy the battery for the passes I made. Battery life seemed to be good, but again, no records to show just how much I put it through.
In no way I intend to slam Johnson Controls (I work with them closely) but in most cases manufacturers will say many things! The 125 degree statement is true!
Can you apply a 50 amp charge to an Optima? Yes, for a short period of time.
Now, there are several things that will effect how the charge is accepted.
1) what is the state of charge in the battery when the charger is attached?
2) What is the "health" of the battery?
3) What is the beginning temp of the battery when charging begins?
These and a host of other conditions dictate how the battery accepts a charge and how it affects the life of a battery. Your Blue top battery will handle overcharging better than say a Red top. The Blue top is designed as a deep cycle battery. That means the "plates" in the battery are thicker and the amount of water and acid is greater (it takes more heat for a greater time for the pressure to build to critical.
I will make one suggestion to anyone with a Yellow, Blue top Optima or any "flooded" deep cycle battery. To extend the life of the battery, when done for the season or if the battery will not be used for greater than a month, disconnect the battery and attach a sealed beam headlight with alligator clips and leave it until the battery is COMPLETELY dead. Then recharge at 2 amps until it is FULLY charged. I say FULLY charged because any charger that uses electricity (not sound waves) to charge will only charge to 80% state of charge! This will help ensure that the battery will retain full reserve capacity!
1984 Daytona Pro Street/ Blown 512 on E85
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2009 Ram 1 ton 4X4 dually 6.7 diesel
1971 RR (For Sale)
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Re: Optima battery charging
[Re: Bryx512]
#820245
10/02/10 11:52 PM
10/02/10 11:52 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila
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master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
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Just bought a new digital Schumacher Model #SC-7500A charger ( about 1/4 the size of my old charger ) and it has "12V AGM" listed as one of the battery charge types. Other two are "12V Standard" and "12V Gel Cell".
Fastest 300
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Re: Optima battery charging
[Re: Bryx512]
#820247
10/03/10 12:20 AM
10/03/10 12:20 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
HEMIFRED
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master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
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all this did was reinforce my decision to run an alternator on all my race cars. except the pro mod
home of the
Sox and Martin Hemi Duster
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Re: Optima battery charging
[Re: mopardamo]
#820251
10/03/10 04:00 AM
10/03/10 04:00 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 50
Lincoln, NE
Bryx512
member
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member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 50
Lincoln, NE
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Quote:
Hello Bryx512,
So what I am hearing is that the spiral plates on the Optima batteries are very thin and heat quickly when charging creating the off gassing of the acid mixture. That is why it is proper to charge at low amperages. Preventing the boil-off process. What I do not understand is how sound waves charge a battery? I think you mean that monitoring a battery using sound waves is the correct way and not actually sound waves charging the battery?
Damon
Hello,
First, let me say that I have and have used many different types of batteries and currently I have 7 Optima's (Red and Yellow top) all older than 6 years and still going strong!
All batteries are made with one or two purposes in mind. Hence the options offered to us.
I think you have two questions so I will take them in order...If I miss your meaning please let me know.
1) Are the spiral plates in an Optima thin to a fault?
No, not really, Optima's are built to be one of the most rugged batteries on the market. They are built to handle a lot of vibration. Since lead is one of the major components (and is getting more expensive by the day), weight is a factor. The thickness of the continuous lead is slightly thinner but packed tightly enough to not break apart. The heating issue is mainly due to the reduction of fluid. There is no free flowing water and acid. It is absorbed by the fiber mat that sandwiches the lead.
2) Sound waves charging a battery?
Yes, you can charge a battery with sound waves. Simply put,to charge a battery you need to move as many free electrons from the lead atoms on the positive plates and put them on the negative plates. You do this by either pushing or pulling those electrons. Maybe think of the sound waves like it turns a battery into a microwave. It excites the atoms and the pressure those waves make move them in a direction. The charger also uses those waves to determine charge acceptance and the "health" of the battery. I hope that made any sense.
Fred, I know what you mean! This post proves I rarely sleep myself!
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Re: Optima battery charging
[Re: Evil Spirit]
#820254
10/03/10 09:05 AM
10/03/10 09:05 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
HEMIFRED
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,502
SOUTH JERSEY
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I would guess that the 125 would be a minimum point and apply to the internal core of the battery and over an extended period of time. That would be hard to reach even under a hot hood.
home of the
Sox and Martin Hemi Duster
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3.29 A.M. 
