battery life
 

What is the battery life on a 12 Optima.Had mine in almost 7yrs.Just asking but do keep a tender on all the time

Re: battery life
 

There isn't any set time for battery life, my 12 volt battery that is on a battery tender and is not an Optima is approaching 8 years old.

Re: battery life
 

I'm thinking I have heard and read numerous reports that all said keeping a battery tender on an Optima could/will shorten its life.

Re: battery life
 

There's been several posts on battery choices and maintaining them lately. I needed a 6v battery and bought the Optima red top. After some of the posts, I wasn't sure how I would maintain full charge in it while in long storage. I have been using the Deltron battery tenders with good luck on my units using the lead acid batteries 6 and 12v. I decided to go onto the Deltron web site and found that they have a new maintainer that they claim will properly maintain the glass mat (Optima), gel and flooded lead acid batteries. The part number for the 6v is 022-0196. I'm going to try one and found the best price at StreetSide auto, $35 including shipping. I'll try it and report back in a few years.
Happy holidays,
Howard

Re: battery life
 

i had mine 15 years then sold the car is was still in it yes i used a battery tender

Re: battery life
 

As long as its either trickle charge with active regulation or low enough charge to avoid gas that corrode the battery it should be safe.

Re: battery life
 

Hi there, My 1988 Toyota Hi-Lux has a red top Optima in it that just turned 16 yrs old. Have a couple of other Optimas that are 10 yrs old. I don't normally leave any of my optima batteries on long term float or trickle charge. Only charge the optima in my old cars about once every couple of months for a day on an automatic charger just to top them up. They don't loose their charge like other batteries do when sitting around. Always have a battery cut off switch in all my old cars to prevent any drain and to make the car safe when not being used. Regards, Kevin.

Re: battery life
 

X2 on my experience as well. Have three Optima 6v Red tops for my '35's and one 12v Red Top in my modern PU truck. I do not use trickle/maintainer type chargers on any of these. I start and run my old vehicles ~ once/month during their most dorment winter time nap. I run the modern truck enough all year long that it keeps the 12v topped up very well. Anybody want to buy the 6/12v maintainers I now have no use for? If so, send me a pm.

Re: battery life
 

I never charge my batterys other than driving the car, could sit for 6 months at times, the last battery I bought new (optima) lasted 16 years, regular batterys 7-9 years, now that I only get the batterys from the junk pile I expect 5-12 years from my selected and tested used batterys, I keep several batterys "in process", i will charge them then let them sit---it they hold a good charge for several months they are good batterys

Re: battery life
 

Tried to crank yesterday and volt went to 8 or so while cranking.Usually get my battery from the guy that sells optima at Moultrie swap but they never go out when I go there.Have 4 other cars with yellow top but this one I bought at Advance in 09.Just asking hate to have to jump start one now days.Thanks

Re: battery life
 

Don't know if you have one or not but for peace of mind you may want to pick up one of the small lith-ion battery jumper packs and throw it under the seat. (some times it seems that just taking the extra precautions insures that you will probably never have the problem)

Re: battery life
 

Had my Optima 6V battery since 2011. I have a battery cut out that assures no amp draw in storage. The night before a Car Show I do put a slow charge on it just in case. I like that the battery terminals show no sign of corrosion.

Re: battery life
 

Dead cell in red top ordered a yellow from the Battery Man in Marietta ga today can't wait till Moultrie to get one.He sales wades of batteries there