The Ford Barn

jkcrosson · 04-09-2014, 05:20 PM

I've read that in order to charge an optima battery with a standard charger, you must charge through a standard battery to "fool" the charger. ie charger hooked to a standard battery and then jumpered over to the optima. Does this battery need to be a 6 volt also or will a 12 volt work. I have charged straight to the optima battery for several hours and only show a 25% charge.

Mike V. Florida · 04-09-2014, 05:25 PM

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...23&postcount=7

CarlG · 04-09-2014, 05:49 PM

I'm thinking about going this way, which Optima battery is recommended for our Model As? both 6 & 12 volt.

jkcrosson · 04-09-2014, 08:08 PM

Carl, I have the red top optima. Mine is charged fine.

rons49 · 04-09-2014, 10:05 PM

Mike is correct( actually Bruce Adams). You should use the same voltage battery 6v to 6v... 12v to 12v. I read that deeply dissed Optima can be hooked up to just another good battery and the voltage in the good will travel to the weak battery and equalize. Also don't use a charger over 10amp... Optimas tend to repel "hot" quick boosts. Advice: once the battery is charged at a usable point switch to a trickle charge, ie, 1 or 2amps and leave it. Charging units like Battery Tender are great for that AND maintaining full charge between long storage. Ron

jkcrosson · 04-09-2014, 10:08 PM

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Thanks Ron. I plan to put mine on trickle charge to maintain.

04-09-2014, 05:20 PM	#1
jkcrosson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pell City AL Posts: 720	Charging an Optima Battery I've read that in order to charge an optima battery with a standard charger, you must charge through a standard battery to "fool" the charger. ie charger hooked to a standard battery and then jumpered over to the optima. Does this battery need to be a 6 volt also or will a 12 volt work. I have charged straight to the optima battery for several hours and only show a 25% charge. __________________ Jamie Crosson 1929 Tudor Looking for an Original 888 Key

04-09-2014, 05:25 PM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Charging an Optima Battery https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...23&postcount=7 __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

04-09-2014, 05:49 PM	#3
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Charging an Optima Battery I'm thinking about going this way, which Optima battery is recommended for our Model As? both 6 & 12 volt. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

04-09-2014, 08:08 PM	#4
jkcrosson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pell City AL Posts: 720	Re: Charging an Optima Battery Carl, I have the red top optima. Mine is charged fine. __________________ Jamie Crosson 1929 Tudor Looking for an Original 888 Key

04-09-2014, 10:05 PM	#5
rons49 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: tucson Posts: 136	Re: Charging an Optima Battery Mike is correct( actually Bruce Adams). You should use the same voltage battery 6v to 6v... 12v to 12v. I read that deeply dissed Optima can be hooked up to just another good battery and the voltage in the good will travel to the weak battery and equalize. Also don't use a charger over 10amp... Optimas tend to repel "hot" quick boosts. Advice: once the battery is charged at a usable point switch to a trickle charge, ie, 1 or 2amps and leave it. Charging units like Battery Tender are great for that AND maintaining full charge between long storage. Ron

04-09-2014, 10:08 PM	#6
jkcrosson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pell City AL Posts: 720	Re: Charging an Optima Battery Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks Ron. I plan to put mine on trickle charge to maintain. __________________ Jamie Crosson 1929 Tudor Looking for an Original 888 Key