Battery charger

[Don W.]

I have an older 6 amp 2 amp craftsman battery charger. I put it on my optimus battery and the needle stayed at 4 amps for 2 days and the battery heated up. I let it cool and started the car. When I set it at 2 amps the gauge goes to zero. I think the charger is shot.
Any input?
Any recommendations on new charger?

Thanks,

Don

[Rich G.]

Re: Battery charger

Could be, but it also could be the battery. I had a sealed battery in an airplane that went dead because I'm an idiot and left the master switch on for a week. I tried to charge it and it stayed at 8 amps (10 amp charger) for a long time and it got warm. I decided to see if it would start the plane and it did, so I went flying. About 2 minutes later the 50 amp alternator breaker popped.

Remember, the charger (or the charging system) is trying to get the voltage up to a level that can't be had if there is a bad cell. So the charger or the alternator just keeps on pumping until something gives.

I would put the battery on a tester before you hurt your charging system, just in case.

Rich

[Gary B.]

Re: Battery charger

I think it is time to get a "Battery Tender" device. I just bought 2 Shumacher ones from WalMart. $19 US each. Work great.

[Bill I.]

Re: Battery charger

Optimus batteries should never be charged at 6A. They like 2 or less. No wonder it got warm. Bill

[Steven B.]

Re: Battery charger

Optimus batteries should never be charged at 6A. They like 2 or less. No wonder it got warm. Bill

Agree! A number of years ago I did the same and very soon the case "expanded". It got very hot and that was the end of the battery.

Steve

[Terry M.]

Re: Battery charger

I have an older 6 amp 2 amp craftsman battery charger. I put it on my optimus battery and the needle stayed at 4 amps for 2 days and the battery heated up. I let it cool and started the car. When I set it at 2 amps the gauge goes to zero. I think the charger is shot.
Any input?
Any recommendations on new charger?

Thanks,

Don

Don,
I am told AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries require a special charger. I do not know if Optima is that type of battery, but it may be. I have been told if the proper charger is not used either the charger, the battery or both can be damaged. I have no personal experience with this type of battery, and am only repeating what I have been told, and have not verified this information myself -- I have no need to. You might want to do some research on this matter though.

[Rich G.]

Re: Battery charger

I am curious. If the battery isn't happy with a 6 amp charge rate (and I have heard this, too), what happens in the car? There are times when the charging rate can be 30 amps.

Is it just a matter of how long the charge is applied?

Rich

[Terry M.]

Re: Battery charger

I don't think the difference is the rate of charge. I believe the voltage is pulsed during charging, or they put an AC frequency on top of the DC. I don't know or understand the whole story, but I have been told this (wrong type of charger) is the reason for the high failure rate on the latest reproduction batteries that are not lead acid style.

[Gary C.]

Re: Battery charger

FYI - link to Optima battery charging info. Gary....

http://www.optimabatteries.com/product_support/charging.php

[Terry M.]

Re: Battery charger

See part #9 in this link:

http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html

[Gary S.]

Re: Battery charger

See part #9 in this link:

http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html

How about the solar trickle charger linked to the link above. Anyone see anything wrong with using one? Gary

http://www.batterystuff.com/solar-chargers/