I found an Optima battery included with my second 914. It has now been sitting for about four months (valve noise) as I finish the final stages of the install/conversion of a Buick V6 into my 75 914. I want to use the Optima in the newly converted 914 but am unsure if I can charge it as I would any other typical lead/acid battery.

I have no way to check the charge on the Optima battery, and do not wish to attempt to fire off a brand new V6 on a low battery, so figured I'd just try giving it a charge to fire the new engine. Is there anything I should know about charging an Optima before I put it on the trickle charger?

I did a search here but found nothing that related to charging an Optima.

Eye, Matey!

Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Bump

I see another has asked the same/similar question but it hasn't been answered by the Optima experts, or has it?

What do I know?

I charge mine just like any other battery. Ten amp auto setting. Once a week or so if I don't drive it.

Just toss it in your daily driver, jump it with your wife's car and drive away. Charge it while your driving. That's what I've done with my 9 year old Optima (more than once) when I've let it sit for months at a time. Works every time. That battery kicks ass.

Don't sweat it. Trickle charge it. It will be fine. It will think it's getting fed by your everyday alternator.

Thanks guys! I'll do the 2 amp charge overnight.