thats a big ten four good buddy. i run an optima for my radios, and an odyssey in the plane. a cheap charger from HF actually toasted one lead-acid battery I had, boiled it out and the whole block smelled like rotten eggs.
then another schumacher digital charger from walmart put out too many volts for the odyssey which only can take 15volts (but an almost unlimited amps, btw)
now I have the odyssey 25amp charger made for that type of dry cell.
odyssey is a good battery (I think the very best actually) and I have no hard evidence but the optima seems to lose charge when sitting faster than the odyssey.
hth
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: NPC: Optima battery question
From: Donni <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, December 09, 2009 3:23 pm
To: Mark Cookson <[email protected]>
Cc: Miata Powerlist <[email protected]>
If you lay out the cash for a good battery (AGM) don't ruin it with a cheap charger (ask me how I know about this...). Buy a Battery Tender brand or other quality temp sensing, regulated charger. More up front but cheaper in the long run......as with most things.
For your research and reading pleasure, check out this PDF (page 9 in particular) from one of the major battery manufacturers (pretty sure the Westco is a rebadged WP/Deka as are many others).
Regarding Absorbed Electrolyte (AGM) type batteries, from the East-Penn PDF (page 9);
"Automatic temperature-sensing, voltage-regulated chargers must be used.
Charge voltage must be limited
(14.4 to 14.6 volts maximum at 68°F)"
On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 5:12 PM, Mark Cookson <[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks for the tip on the battery charger and cable. The local BatteriesPlus is close to the local Harbor Freight so maybe I can get a new battery and a way to keep from killing it in one shot.Sounds like the Optimas are hit or miss. I'll see what BP tries to sell me...Thanks everyone!Mark
On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 3:38 PM, Ross Kuhns <[email protected]> wrote:
I don't know the ins/outs of Optima's, but really, just put the thing on a float charger; it monitors and only turns itself on when the power drops. They're "plug and forget about it".
I do this with all my motorcycles (expect for the /6 which is at Donni's house) and it's so less stressful than trying to remember to put them on a bit of a charger each day.
I use the Yuasa, 'cause it has the lights that tell you when it's good (green) or charging (yellow led comes one) http://www.yuasabatteries.com/chargers.php
Harbor freight has the ones with just one light for like $6 on sale quite often.
I stick the Fused Ring Connector permanently on the battery, then it really it just plug and forget. Have it on my miata too.
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/accessories.php
Ross Kuhns
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 15:31:28 -0600
Subject: NPC: Optima battery question
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Hi guys,I'm in need of a new battery. The last one I got died because I basically hardly ever drive my Miata anymore (crying shame, I know). Do the Optima's last longer while not being charged by occasional driving? Or should I just settle for a cheap battery and buy them like they're disposable?I know I should put the battery on a trickle charger once a month, but somehow I'm too lazy to do even that...Thanks,Mark
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