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Posted by: jesiv Jul 24 2008, 10:40 PM

Ok, so I my optima totally died . It was sad .

What and how do you charge your red top? What is the best charger for the optima?

Regards,

James

Posted by: mikez Jul 24 2008, 10:44 PM

The digital chargers suck.....my old Sears analog rocks.

Posted by: SirAndy Jul 24 2008, 10:47 PM

I have used electricity in the past with good results!
Andy

Posted by: ws91420 Jul 24 2008, 10:48 PM

You are supposed to use a charger rated for AGM batteries. If you dont want to buy one if you take it somewhere to charge it make sure they use that type of charger or you will most definitely kill it.

Posted by: jesiv Jul 24 2008, 11:22 PM

Andy

Are you implying that I should actually plug a 914 (much less mine) into the USA electrical network grid? I am very concerned with the potential consequences of such a real time connection . I am prepared to plug a 914 into the network buffered by a charger … The question is which one ?

Regards,

James

Posted by: Rand Jul 24 2008, 11:55 PM

I didn't think the Optima red top took anything special.

I run my car enough that the alternator keeps it up. If it was too low to crank I would jump start it. If I wasn't going to run it long enough to replenish naturally or it was low, then I would use a basic trickle charger made for car batteries.

If it is going to sit a long time without running (like months over the winter) then maybe a battery tender to keep it topped off.

Posted by: ws91420 Jul 25 2008, 12:20 AM

http://www.batteriesareus.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=2&chapter=0 is a link to a page for reccomendations to charging an OPTIMA
http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_edge/technical_specs.php#red2

Posted by: roadster fan Jul 25 2008, 03:11 AM

Hey James,

Looks like the link to the Optima recommended charging procedure is what I do for regular lead acid batteries. If it died and early death maybe just a lemon.

BTW, missed seeing you up in Scotts Valley at Canepa Design on Saturday. We should plan another bay area owner's trip there before the 914/6GT sells.

Sorry for the quick hijack good luck with your battery.

Jim

Posted by: hcdmueller Jul 25 2008, 04:13 AM

I let my red top sit for 9 months and it was down to 8 or 9 volts. I used my motorcycle charger to get it back up to 13 or so. It is only 1/4 amp and it took just over a week. The battery is fine and I have not had a problem with it since.

Posted by: kerensky Jul 25 2008, 03:50 PM

Every time I see this topic come up I toss in my usual warning. Trickle chargers and battery tenders seem to be OK for use, but do not use a regular car battery charger on your (stock) 914 without disconnecting the battery. This can and will fry your fuel injection ECU. I went thru two that way.

Posted by: Rand Jul 25 2008, 05:59 PM

Good point Chad. I always do pull the battery out before putting it on a charger.


Actually I started the habit years ago (before I used Optimas) of setting the battery outside on the ground, because of the off chance the lead-acid batteries could boil over and leak acid while charging.