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Re: Optima red top won't charge

I used a battery tester yesterday and the battery seems to be fine...

I got an advice to connect a light bulb (or something else that uses current) between the terminals when I'm charging.

It seems that when charging an empty battery some chargers won't recognize the battery, and needs something that uses some of the current to start the charging...

I'm going to give it a try this week!

Re: Optima red top won't charge

After you get it charged, you can also test it by letting it sit over night and checking the voltage. If it is below 12.6 volts, the battery is not holding its reserve charge.

Re: Optima red top won't charge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldog

Shorting a battery is a good way to give the electrolyte the 'taste test'. You may want to make sure you have good disability and life insurance. Also, locate a good seeing-eye dog now if you don't wear safety goggles.

A battery produces hydrogen gas which, in the presence of sparks, can and will blow up.

I agree, it's very dangerous to short the terminals. I shorted a red top with my wrench while installing one once, it melted or should I say welded the wrench to the terminal instantly, I burned the crap out of my hand trying to get it off. The battery failed soon after and the Optima dealer wouldn't replace it once he saw the mangled terminal. It started a short in the battery wich weakend it. The dealer told me not only was I lucky I didn't burn my boat up that day, I could have been hurt or the battery could have exploded. They store alot of energy, enough to kill or mame you and shorting the terminals is a good way to release it.

Re: Optima red top won't charge

You need to charge the red top thru another battery. Hook the charger to batt "X" then hook batt X to the redtop. Thats what I was told by the optima dealer here.