Optima battery and trickle chargers

[Jeff/Illinois]

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[Russ/40]

Although the Optima has far less time/voltage loss than traditional lead acid batteries, If you have one sitting for many months at a time, I would recommend the tender to help forgo any deterioration.

 

[BrianCT]

I just disconnect mine and top it off with a regular charger during the winter.

 

[JM 35 Sedan]

As I observed in Brendan's photo in the '35-'36 pickup headliner thread, he is running the Optima battery.

Do you guys have good luck topping this battery off with a Battery Tender Plus? Is it needed? Thanks for your responses I will probably go to an Optima battery when my 6V dies so far it's 3 years old and still kickin' strong.......

I have had an Optima battery in my '35 fordor sedan for two years. See attached pics for the method of mounting that I used. I always plug in the Battery Tender when I park it in the garage. So far it has worked well.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

I have an Optima in my A, has been there for 14 years, only had a charger on it for 10 min one time when I had left the ign on for a month, 10 min of charge and I hand cranked it --off I went--drove it 60 miles, parked it ----generator set for max 14A charge, also I have halogen headlight bulbs, and drive 30% at night.

last time I had it out it had sat for 4 months --cranked like it has 12V ---

I have never used a battery tender, have always had good battery life -7-9 years for regular batterys, and the Optima is still going strong at 14 --thriving on neglect.

 

[Steel 35]

JM: Thanks for sharing the battery drop. I have been pondering that for months, just started it Monday and hope to finish mine this weekend. I used a New optima in my last truck put it in new when I got the truck so I had second posts for a winch abused it and it lasted 14 good years so I was all for getting another, I alway have heard charge them slow or they won't take? I always just used it and never had to charge it.

 

[31chevy]

In my 34 pickup I laid the battery down on it's side under the seat. The optima can be in any position.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Why not just do a monthly fire up? Let the engine run for half an hour, top off the battery. It's good for every thing to run. I fire mine up any chance it's above 20 degrees out.

 

[FRANK PKNY]

I ran one for 12 years on my 35 it still worked when replaced. I just felt guilty. I now run four of them. Battery tenders work well for a slow charge which is what they want. Frank

 

[itslow]

Used to have great luck with the old ones. Not so much with newer ones since they moved their manufacturing facility. Of course, YMMV.

 

[Bill Steiner]

So far I'm having good luck with them. Bill

 

[andyleonard]

I have an Optima in my A, has been there for 14 years, only had a charger on it for 10 min one time when I had left the ign on for a month, 10 min of charge and I hand cranked it --off I went--drove it 60 miles, parked it ----generator set for max 14A charge, also I have halogen headlight bulbs, and drive 30% at night.

last time I had it out it had sat for 4 months --cranked like it has 12V ---

I have never used a battery tender, have always had good battery life -7-9 years for regular batterys, and the Optima is still going strong at 14 --thriving on neglect.

Put mine in the '38 in 1994 and it still works fine. Only had a charger on it once when I left the ignition on. Car sat for 2 years in the basement of the Petersen Museum, started and drove out. On the other hand I have a 2 year old red top 12v that won't go over 5 volts.