Optima redtop recharging

[GHarman]

I have a custom two battery setup in the ,93. Two Optima redtops in parallel, lots of amps:-laf. They are beginning to loose the ability to hold a charge. The installation date was August 2004. I want to place a charger on them and have heard about exploding closed cell batteries during charging. Any safety precautions or input would be appreciated.

I may replace them after the first of the year with the Sears platinums in a similar setup. I also need to check the alternator/voltage regulator output. Can I do that with a multimeter? GregH

 

[MMeier]

Greg, They do not like lots of amps during charging. I always use my trickle charger on the Red Tops for maintenance... 1. 25 amps. In cold weather the alternator should be supplying at least 14. 5 -15 volts when its running. Could you post a pic of your set up, want to do the same identical thing to my '93 when the group 31 takes a dump... . think its getting weak now .

 

[GHarman]

'93 dual redtop setup

Front of the truck is at the bottom of the picture. GregH

 

[BDaugherty]

Why would your batteries be discharged? Does your alternator have enough amps to keep up with the load?

Here is a Optima/AGM charging procedure from batteriesrus.com.



Charging an Optima or AGM Battery : Batteries Are Us



Here is another one from Optimabatteries.com



Optima Battery FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

 

[JLEONARD]

My guess is that the batteries are toast and need replacing. 6 or 7 years is a lot of service.

My single red top lasted 5 years and I was happy with that.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

This past summer I had an alternator failure that went un-noticed due to, not needing lights and reliance on OEM guages that cost me a rebuilt alternator, two new batteries and a starter rebuild. I second the need to check the output of the alternator. I used to sell Optimas and the red tops were warrented 100% for 2 years the pro-rated for an additional 5 years. They need to be trickeled charged. I also added a volt meter so I could keep a better check on actual battery voltage.



Bob

 

[GHarman]

Lots of GOOD information!

Thanks Gentlemen! Looks like I have my assignments! Merry Christmas! GregH

 

[GHarman]

First measurement

12. 87 Volts, not running. I get another measurement after the block warms up. GregH

 

[GHarman]

Charging/running

Cycles to 12. 5 with grid activated. Grid off, 15. 46-15. 48V. Could this be a starter issue, a heating grid relay issue, or a battery reserve issue? The load on preheat mode really drains the battery. I have not trickle charged the battery, yet. I do not operate this truck daily. It often sits for a week at a time. GregH

 

[cerberusiam]

Lead acid batteries have a finite life, 6 years is about all the good ones last before problems ensue. You can try to trickle charge them but my guess would be they are just worn enough to not be serviceable at the level you want.

 

[DVolk]

Oltima weighs these batterys to determin the life left inthem my guess its to detect if the cells have begone to break down of which is my guess and yes after about 5 years reguardless of use the oltima batterys start to die i got one tottaly gone and one with a small amount of juice left

 

[JLEONARD]

Could this be a starter issue, a heating grid relay issue, or a battery reserve issue?

See my post above.

Open up yer wallet

 

[GHarman]

Could this be a starter issue, a heating grid relay issue, or a battery reserve issue?

See my post above.

Open up yer wallet

Aint nuthin left but the moths:-laf! GregH

 

[DVolk]

Im betting its a bad battery cell issue

 

[HHhuntitall]

GHarmon, take one(or both) offline and let them sit a day or so, then check to see if one of them has lower voltage than the other. IF it does, it's possible developed a bad cell. If they are sitting at 12 volts, I don't think that's bad. Are they going dead after a few weeks? That sounds like one is draining the other. Also, don't worry about the AGMs exploding, they use a gel material, and any gas that does (extrememly minute amounts) escape will burn off if ignited, but is not capable of reaching gas on the inside. That's aviation grade. You can also mount these batteries upside down/sideways if you wanted. Unfortunately, manufacturers have it down to a science, almost to the day, that these batteries will quit, and they try to make them quit the day after warranty is up. It makes you wonder how good a battery they could make if they really wanted, too. When the Optima's first came out, I bought two, one for me, and one for my Grandfather. They both lasted over 10 years, mine in a '90 gas rig, then in an '89 Cummins I had for 4 years, then going into my '90 Cummins. His went into everything, starting tractors, hotfence chargers, welders, pickups... ... usually sitting all winter outside before being found and used in the spring. The sun had eaten up the red top, and it was more pink than red, but it still started an old Case 970 w/451 engine every day!! I bought several more after that, but most weren't that good!!

 

[GHarman]

Thought you might be interested?

Did a quick stop at a battery store yesterday. "Batteries Plus". I told them about my application and present use of Redtop Optimas. The comment was (and reconciles with the web information); The Red top Optimas are for starting only. Yellow tops are for deep cycle and starting. The drawdown of current during the preheating grid cycle is considered a 'deep cycle" not a start. This make sense to me, however I did not know/consider this!

Good information!

Odessey batteries for the 1st gen are $500. 00 each! Batteries Plus is the distributor. If one were to go that way, the Sears rebranded Odesseys are a far better deal($208. 00 + tax). Unfortunately, they do not carry one specifically for the 1st gen Dodge:-{}. The Optimas can be replaced with yellow tops or the equivilent Sears Platinum. Still ~$500. 00 bill. There is one other option and that is back to a wet cell battery. Batteries Plus has a Ray-O-Vac 1100AMP battery that would work for $125. 00. I'm not settled on a specific path, as yet. I may use the wet cell from "old uglys" carcass if I get desperate. I just dont really like the corroded terminals and wiring that comes with spillage from those wet cells. Just wanted to let you know what I found. GregH

 

[HHhuntitall]

Greg, I don't want to say someone isn't right, but your batteries plus store..... deep cycle is when you pull a battery down under 60-75% repeatedly. The grid heaters are temporarily pulling a medium load(100 amps or so), and when compared to the battery capacity you have, that's not really much. The reserve capacity on those batteries is pretty high amp-hours, and then combine that..... you COULD get by with just one! I see no reason why they'd think that, unless they are just trying to pass the buck. Running a fleet of trucks, I've use just about every battery out there, and the best for the money I've found so far are the (Dare I say it)... ... AutoZone's premium battery line(wet-cell, I know). I've had several sets run 8-9 years, and most make it completely out of warranty. The Optima's are second on the list, red or yellow top. I like the yellows for the reserve capacity, as I'm often running lights, radio, hydraulic pumps, etc with the engine shut off. I run a lot of the Oriely's and Carquest brand, as well, and none of them really stand out. I've actually had some problems with them as far as lasting as long as they should.



Back to the Optimas, they make a heavy duty (31 Series?) for big trucks and equipment, in the yellow top. I have one in my '91 that came from Peterbilt several years ago, and it's big enough to handle just about anything you can throw at it!! I had to put post adapters on mine, as it had terminals, but looking at your pics, I don't tihnk that'd be a problem for you. You might do some pricing at Optima Batteries 9051-160 - Optima YellowTop Deep Cycle 12 Volt Batteries - Overview - SummitRacing.com



Also, the Blue Top Optimas might be a little cheaper, and they make them in the 31 series, too. I think both run over 900 CCA, 1125 @ 32 degerees. That's a lot of amps!!



Good luck, my friend!



God bless you and yours,

 

[JLEONARD]

I am also in agreement that the duty cycle of the pickup truck is not a "deep cycle" application. Unless your alternator is not putting out and if that's the case the alt needs replacing.

 

[GHarman]

Wow, lots of information! Thanks HHhuntital and JLEONARD. Just stopped at Sears Auto Center this AM. Confirmed that there were no automotive application platnum batteries that were specific to the '93 Dodge. HOWEVER! They do have a Platinum Marine(Odessey) deep cycle battery with 1170CCA. $259. 00 plus tax, out the door!

Would there be any issues using a Marine battery? What is the difference other than a "deep draw down" capability? The posts are oriented correctly for this battery but it is hugemongus! I'd have to use a crane to set it into the truck:-laf. I will probably use the battery from "old ugly" until I can save up for one of these, provided it can be charged. It has been sitting for a couple of years, but it is only about 3 years old with little use. I disconnected the cables because of a short in the wiring harness. Remember that Magnesium Chloride we have on out dirt roads#@$%!. Thanks for your replys! GregH

 

[DVolk]

What about the gel cell batts that Napa sells , the Orbit brand ? there is also those 14volt race batterys in the summit catalog ?