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Optima Battery

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HarryL

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Thinking 'bout using an Optima battery
in my 4a. Has anyone used one of these ?
I'd ask for another choice; but don't know if the site
has enough space !
Harry
 
Harry,

I highly recommend the Optima. I've had one in my -3B for the past 8 years and it is wonderful. It is designed for cars that do not run everyday. Pricey, but worth it.

Paul
 
Have them in all the old cars (over 10 years in the GT6). They say they can't leak - and that was the attraction for me. Have heard it's best to use 2 amp or less when charging.
 
I purchased one 5 years ago for my boat, didnt take it out over on winter and the battery went totally dead, then it wouldnt hold a charge, took it back to auto zone and the guy said it was bad, gave me a new one since it was under warranty, next year the same thing but both times he gave me a new battery under warranty, he asked me how I was using the battery, told him it was in my boat, the guy at auto zone said the gell batteries that once they discharge all the way they never come back. this year again dead, but it was out of warranty so I purchased a marine battery for my boat this time

I would say if you keep it charged you wont have a problem

it did work great when it worked

Hondo
 
hondo402000 said:
the guy at auto zone said the gell batteries that once they discharge all the way they never come back.
Click to expand...

That is a problem with all lead-acid batteries, not just gel cells. If you run them down flat, chemical changes start to happen which will eventually ruin the battery. There are products on the market that claim to be able to recover them (known as desulfators ) but I haven't had a chance to try one yet. (Planning to build my own Real Soon Now but after I get this rear axle done.)

But normally that wouldn't be a problem over one winter, unless your boat had a small electrical leak or some device that draws current all the time. A buddy has the same problem with his Lotus, the alarm system will run the battery down in just a few weeks and by the time it sits through the rainy season, the battery is toast. A disconnect switch will solve the battery problem (but of course the alarm or whatever is drawing current won't work).
 
Optima batteries aren't gel cells, they are AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) which is what the Optimas are. Originally, my '92 Miata came with an AGM battery and lasted 15 years. I replaced it with an Optima, and also put an Optima in my TR3.

Here are a few advantages of AGM batteries. Any car that I have that needs a new battery will get an Optima if I plan on keeping for many years.

Of course, if you're going to store a vehicle or boat over the winter, you have to disconnect it, or make sure you maintain a charge. If you do disconnect an AGM, it will retain it's charge much better then any other type of battery.
 

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hondo402000 said:
I purchased one 5 years ago for my boat, didnt take it out over on winter and the battery went totally dead, then it wouldnt hold a charge....
Click to expand...
Was it a red top?



pc
 
Yes it was red on top, and dont think I am trashing the battery, it was a great battery, I caused the problem, but yes my boat has a radio that pulls a small current, and the guy at the battery place did say to keep it on a trickle charge or disconnect it

They did give me 2 new ones under warranty! I would have got another but just not for the boat, plus I still have it sitting in the garage

Hondo
 
My son bought one for his stealth. After the car set for so long, it went dead. I tried everything I could think of to get it charged up, but it acted like it had a dead cell and just wouldn't charge up. It was out of warranty, so had to replace it. He could have bought two good batteries for what that cost!
 
I bought one four years ago for my TR6 and I also bought a maintenance charger made for it, under the recommendation of Summit Racing, where I purchased the battery. I leave the charger on all winter and I have never had a problem. I don't drive my cars much, so I do need to keep it up over the winter months. In the summer, it is fine with my weekly to bi-weekly rides.
 
The red-tops aren't designed to be deep cycled.

Optima does make batteries specifically designed for deep cycling (yellow tops) and marine (blue tops) applications.



pc
 
I have a NAPA Gold battery for $75 which has lasted 10 years. Forget the model number but it is maintenance free and plain black (after removing the NAPA stickers.

I drive the car almost weekly in the 3 seasons but for winter I pull it and throw it on the bench in the garage. Then once a week I throw on 0.75 volt trickle charge to keep it topped up. Usually charges up in less than 24 hours. I have to say its as strong as an ox.

Unless you have a true deep cycle battery the secret to long life is keeping them fully charged. Once they draw down below 75% or so, they get sulfated and have trouble holding a charge. And if they go flat dead, then good luck.

Boats and golf carts tend to have deep cycle batteries. They have less peak cranking amps but respond much better to deep discharges.

Bob
 
Bob, that is the reason for the special charger that I have. You can pick from several different batteries to charge, but it does work to de-sulphate the battery.
 
I own two red tops that are in cars I don't drive very often. They seem to hold a charge very well.

I had one go dead once and was unable to get it to charge. I talked to someone and they told me to leave it on the charger and it would eventually come back. I did that and it finally took a charge.
 
I used Optimas in the race cars for years, in a total loss system, meaning no charging system, never had one completely die on me, that is good to know, maybe I will trinkle charge that bad boy today .
 
I have a Lucas tar top battery in a TR250. The cells were over a a quart down on water when i got he car. After topping it off it charged up 100 percent and is holding the charge. I can't understand this. That battery has to be OLD. How can this be?
 
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