The Ford Barn

30-9 · 12-11-2016, 03:53 PM

Hi guys

Did a lot of reading on past post. Do I have this right?

To trickle charge my optimum battery with a old battery charger:

Have charger go to an old 6 volt battery then jumper cables from old battery to Optimum. I don't go direct with 6 volt charger to Optimum.

V8 Bob · 12-11-2016, 04:08 PM

Never heard of an "optimum" battery.

Now, if it's an Optima, I charge my 6 and 12 volt Optimas with 30-40 year old chargers, set on 2 amps, and have never had a problem.

30-9 · 12-11-2016, 04:31 PM

Sorry 72 yr old eyes and spell check not so good - yes Opima

tony starr · 12-11-2016, 04:32 PM

With their 12V batteries, Optima recommend charging in snowflake mode (this is with a CTEK trickle charger). Or use car mode for batteries over 14Ah and Motorcycle mode for batteries under 14Ah. I assume 6V batteries fall into the later. I've also heard it's important not to overcharge Optima batteries. I'm sure others will chime in here...

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Oakhurst · 12-11-2016, 04:48 PM

I think the first method described by 30-9 is necessary if battery is very low.

V8 Bob · 12-11-2016, 04:59 PM

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My next charger will be designed for AGM batteries, but I have had no issues directly charging my 6 and 12 volt Optimas with old chargers. I stay with 2 amp settings and monitor the voltage, making sure it stays well below 9 (6V) and 15 (12V). The first 6V lasted over 12 years, the 10 year old 12 V is still going strong. Main thing is to not let them discharge too low, and then bring them back slowly.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 12-11-2016, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30-9

Hi guys

Did a lot of reading on past post. Do I have this right?

To trickle charge my optimum battery with a old battery charger:

Have charger go to an old 6 volt battery then jumper cables from old battery to Optimum. I don't go direct with 6 volt charger to Optimum.

correct , thats what they say. seems to work for me even on a very dead one....

Lawson Cox · 12-11-2016, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakhurst

I think the first method described by 30-9 is necessary if battery is very low.

It is correct when charging any Optima with regular old 6V charger. Battery Tender from Wal-Mart is best. Not a trickle charger.

G.M. · 12-12-2016, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

It is correct when charging any Optima with regular old 6V charger. Battery Tender from Wal-Mart is best. Not a trickle charger.

Lawson has it right DO NOT USE A TRICLE CHARGER on any battery. A
trickle charger will over charge ANY battery if left on. It will boil the
acid out of liquid batteries and form an acid gas in Optima's in the
space above the round cells. This acid corrodes and eats away the
thin lead plates between the top of the cells and the battery terminal.
I found years ago a small trickle charger hooked up with a timer only
turning the charger on 20 minutes a day eats these connections away
and on liquid acid batteries boils the acid spitting it out. This causes
small rust spots in the area of the battery.

12-11-2016, 03:53 PM	#1
30-9 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: MA Posts: 888	Charging optimum battery Hi guys Did a lot of reading on past post. Do I have this right? To trickle charge my optimum battery with a old battery charger: Have charger go to an old 6 volt battery then jumper cables from old battery to Optimum. I don't go direct with 6 volt charger to Optimum. __________________ Thanks - 30-9 1939, 1940

12-11-2016, 04:08 PM	#2
V8 Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granger (Northern) Indiana Posts: 1,520	Re: Charging optimum battery Never heard of an "optimum" battery. Now, if it's an Optima, I charge my 6 and 12 volt Optimas with 30-40 year old chargers, set on 2 amps, and have never had a problem.

12-11-2016, 04:31 PM	#3
30-9 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: MA Posts: 888	Re: Charging optimum battery Sorry 72 yr old eyes and spell check not so good - yes Opima __________________ Thanks - 30-9 1939, 1940

12-11-2016, 04:32 PM	#4
tony starr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: melb, aus Posts: 141	Re: Charging optimum battery With their 12V batteries, Optima recommend charging in snowflake mode (this is with a CTEK trickle charger). Or use car mode for batteries over 14Ah and Motorcycle mode for batteries under 14Ah. I assume 6V batteries fall into the later. I've also heard it's important not to overcharge Optima batteries. I'm sure others will chime in here... - __________________ tony-starr.com

12-11-2016, 04:48 PM	#5
Oakhurst Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Oakhurst, CA Posts: 140	Re: Charging optimum battery I think the first method described by 30-9 is necessary if battery is very low.

12-11-2016, 04:59 PM	#6
V8 Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granger (Northern) Indiana Posts: 1,520	Re: Charging optimum battery Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My next charger will be designed for AGM batteries, but I have had no issues directly charging my 6 and 12 volt Optimas with old chargers. I stay with 2 amp settings and monitor the voltage, making sure it stays well below 9 (6V) and 15 (12V). The first 6V lasted over 12 years, the 10 year old 12 V is still going strong. Main thing is to not let them discharge too low, and then bring them back slowly.