The Ford Barn

Chippy Minton · 10-11-2017, 02:42 AM

I have an Optima battery and charge itvwith a cheap and nasty 6volt charger and it works fine. I don't know where it was made but it does the job very well. If you want to know if the discharge is down to the battery or a fault in the car's electrical system disconnect it before charging and checking if it holds its charge.

Synchro909 · 10-11-2017, 04:47 AM

When I bought my 1930 CCPU from Arizona a while ago, I had owned it for 18 months before I saw it. Boy, was I glad to see it but a strike on the wharves in US, a dispute over money between my agent and the guy he worked with in LA contributed to the agonising delay.
When it finally did arrive, I was pleasantly surprised to find a Red topped Optima battery in it. As part of my pre-start up check, I put a meter across the battery and found the voltage to be good. It cranked and started the motor with no trouble and still does. That battery had stood for 18 months (with a lead off it so there was no drain) but it survived apparently undamaged. I have no idea how old it is but that was enough to leave me impressed by Optima Batteries.

antiquepa · 10-11-2017, 08:28 PM

Post #16 is right. when I was at a Columbus good guy event there was a rep. from optima batterys that had a class on charging that battery. I beleave now they have a charger just for this battery. This was years ago but that is what I was told,. it had to be charged off another battery!!

dareheart · 10-13-2017, 08:50 AM

Check to see if you have a stuck cutout. When you charge the battery it will get hot if it’s stuck.

Bruce Adams · 10-13-2017, 11:33 AM

Adding to MODEL A TONY's comment, OPTIMA's can't be charged like other batteries when DEAD. They either have to be charged on a proprietary charger or charged IN LINE with another battery of like voltage.
They can be charged normally when not dead.

Kurt in NJ · 10-13-2017, 01:03 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have always used a old(40s) stupid charger, didn't care if the optima was totally dead----- same for the stock A generator charging system, hand cranked it from totally dead, went for a drive, parked it after 1 hour drive, months later it started, never used a maintainer charger, I do have a higher than normal charge rate set (14amps)--- my secret to long battery life, on long distances I turn on the headlights---- And the neglect method, don't do anything, this got me 16 years out of the last optima

10-11-2017, 02:42 AM	#21
Chippy Minton Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Seattle Posts: 129	Re: Optima battery that will not hold a charge I have an Optima battery and charge itvwith a cheap and nasty 6volt charger and it works fine. I don't know where it was made but it does the job very well. If you want to know if the discharge is down to the battery or a fault in the car's electrical system disconnect it before charging and checking if it holds its charge.

10-11-2017, 04:47 AM	#22
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Optima battery that will not hold a charge When I bought my 1930 CCPU from Arizona a while ago, I had owned it for 18 months before I saw it. Boy, was I glad to see it but a strike on the wharves in US, a dispute over money between my agent and the guy he worked with in LA contributed to the agonising delay. When it finally did arrive, I was pleasantly surprised to find a Red topped Optima battery in it. As part of my pre-start up check, I put a meter across the battery and found the voltage to be good. It cranked and started the motor with no trouble and still does. That battery had stood for 18 months (with a lead off it so there was no drain) but it survived apparently undamaged. I have no idea how old it is but that was enough to leave me impressed by Optima Batteries. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

10-11-2017, 08:28 PM	#23
antiquepa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: wheeling west virginia Posts: 231	Re: Optima battery that will not hold a charge Post #16 is right. when I was at a Columbus good guy event there was a rep. from optima batterys that had a class on charging that battery. I beleave now they have a charger just for this battery. This was years ago but that is what I was told,. it had to be charged off another battery!!

10-13-2017, 08:50 AM	#24
dareheart Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lexington, S.C. Posts: 5	Re: Optima battery that will not hold a charge Check to see if you have a stuck cutout. When you charge the battery it will get hot if it’s stuck.

10-13-2017, 11:33 AM	#25
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Optima battery that will not hold a charge Adding to MODEL A TONY's comment, OPTIMA's can't be charged like other batteries when DEAD. They either have to be charged on a proprietary charger or charged IN LINE with another battery of like voltage. They can be charged normally when not dead.

10-13-2017, 01:03 PM	#26
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,157	Re: Optima battery that will not hold a charge Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have always used a old(40s) stupid charger, didn't care if the optima was totally dead----- same for the stock A generator charging system, hand cranked it from totally dead, went for a drive, parked it after 1 hour drive, months later it started, never used a maintainer charger, I do have a higher than normal charge rate set (14amps)--- my secret to long battery life, on long distances I turn on the headlights---- And the neglect method, don't do anything, this got me 16 years out of the last optima