Optima red top won't charge
 

I have been trying to charge my red optima a couple of days now. When I started I got no reading on the charger ~0 Amps.

After a while it started to take charge and went to about 6-7 Amps. Then it got pretty hot and I stopped the charging. Now it is back at 2-3 Amps and it wont get any higher...

Is seems to be either broken or fully charged. But when I shortcut the + and - there is no or very little spark...

When charging an ordinary battery (80 amps) the reader goes to 25-30 amps when the battery is empty.

Re: Optima red top won't charge
 

How old is the Red top ??

Re: Optima red top won't charge
 

I've had that happen to me also with my car bat. and I've sent it back to the factory for charging I understand they have to be totaly drained and shorted to be able to be recharged mine never held charge good again after it was recharged

Re: Optima red top won't charge
 

It is a few years, dont know exactly but atleast 4. It was used for one year then it was put away until last summer.

Re: Optima red top won't charge
 

Check with Optima dealer for Tech sheet on charging--there is a very special procedure and it's a PAIN.

I'm done fooling with Optima's--they aren't worth the "special handling".

Re: Optima red top won't charge
 

I've heard this before and don't get it.

I take mine out and put them in the basement every fall then put them back in the boat in the spring. They hold a full charge all winter I never have to do anything but move them from the boat to the house.
I do check these with my load meter so when I say they hold a charge it is not a guess they act like new batteries after 4 years!
My onboard charger is all they ever receive a charge from.

These are the blue tops.

Re: Optima red top won't charge
 

4 years is a very long time for a battery, you're lucky to get a season out of a regular Interstate. I would replace them all if you have more than 1. I have had very good luck with my Optima's in my Excursion and in my boat and wouldn't buy any other brand.

Re: Optima red top won't charge
 

I bought a red top in 02. In in spring 04 it wouldn't start, I thought I had a dirty terminal. I ended up taking it to the Interstate distributer,it was replaced no charge. They checked the# and said it was part of a bad batch. Doug

Re: Optima red top won't charge
 

I've had my current red top optima for 7 years now. Prior to this one I had one for a year that had a cell go bad and thay replaced it for free. It would still start the motor though, just slower. I'd say that's a good sign that the battery can still discharge enough current at 10 volts to start the thing. I will never put anything other than an optima in my boat.

Re: Optima red top won't charge
 

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.

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
 

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.