Optima Battery Dead
06-03-2002, 03:14 PM
#1
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Optima Battery Dead
After installing an Optima Battery about 4 years ago and driving only once a week max (Yes, I feel guilty!!!) it won't take a charge at all. Is this common for these? Also when I installed the battery I was forced to use a battery quick disconnect to allow the positive wire to reach the terminal. Does any one know if this problem has been solved and where can I find the best price on a new optima that will best fit my 97 993 Cab.
Thanks for any info. <img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />
Thanks for any info. <img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />
06-03-2002, 03:21 PM
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GS,
As I understand it, one of the drawbacks of Optimas is that they cannot be recharged (at least, with a conventional charger) if they drain down beyond a certain point. I have an Orange Top and also use the battery disconnect switch to adapt the rigid positive Porsche terminal to the positive Optima terminal.
I purchased my Orange Top directly from David Willman at Optima, dwillman@optimabatteries.com , or 800 292-4359 x 486 for $135 (including shipping, if memory serves).
As I understand it, one of the drawbacks of Optimas is that they cannot be recharged (at least, with a conventional charger) if they drain down beyond a certain point. I have an Orange Top and also use the battery disconnect switch to adapt the rigid positive Porsche terminal to the positive Optima terminal.
I purchased my Orange Top directly from David Willman at Optima, dwillman@optimabatteries.com , or 800 292-4359 x 486 for $135 (including shipping, if memory serves).
06-03-2002, 03:24 PM
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Take the battery to a shop that has a large battery charger (don't know a better way to describe it), or jump start it, take it for a drive and let the alternator charge it up.
Like Anir said the home charging units won't work as the resistance is too high.
Greg
Like Anir said the home charging units won't work as the resistance is too high.
Greg
06-03-2002, 03:32 PM
#4
Yes, take it to you local pep boys or kragen auto parts. They will recharge it for free. Usually, it takes about an hour. I've done it twice already.
If that doesn't work, then you might need to get a new battery.
Jeff
If that doesn't work, then you might need to get a new battery.
Jeff
06-03-2002, 03:43 PM
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Hey Greg,
I installed the wide post Optima Red Top (750CCA) in mine and it fit perfectly (no adapter). It’s only $109 at Pep Boys. I thought I showed it to you when we did the brakes? If you want to can come over and see mine.
We missed you at TMS….
George
I installed the wide post Optima Red Top (750CCA) in mine and it fit perfectly (no adapter). It’s only $109 at Pep Boys. I thought I showed it to you when we did the brakes? If you want to can come over and see mine.
We missed you at TMS….
George
06-03-2002, 07:12 PM
#6
Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the risk of starting a riot, has anyone tried the Hawker Odyssey which, if I wanted the best general use battery is what I would buy. If I wanted a battery strictly for daytime (i.e., no LeMans type lighting requirements) racing, I would buy another Hawker made battery which is even lighter.
And, needless to say, I have no affiliation with Hawker.
Bob
At the risk of starting a riot, has anyone tried the Hawker Odyssey which, if I wanted the best general use battery is what I would buy. If I wanted a battery strictly for daytime (i.e., no LeMans type lighting requirements) racing, I would buy another Hawker made battery which is even lighter.
And, needless to say, I have no affiliation with Hawker.
Bob
06-03-2002, 07:27 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by Robert Linton:
<strong>Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the risk of starting a riot, has anyone tried the Hawker Odyssey which, if I wanted the best general use battery is what I would buy. Bob</strong><hr></blockquote>
Bob,
At the risk of sounding too lazy to do a websearch
, is the Odyssey a dry cell battery? The best features of the Optima, in my mind, are it absolute maintenance-free nature and inability to leak and corrode the sheetmetal.
<strong>Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the risk of starting a riot, has anyone tried the Hawker Odyssey which, if I wanted the best general use battery is what I would buy. Bob</strong><hr></blockquote>
Bob,
At the risk of sounding too lazy to do a websearch
, is the Odyssey a dry cell battery? The best features of the Optima, in my mind, are it absolute maintenance-free nature and inability to leak and corrode the sheetmetal.
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06-03-2002, 07:53 PM
#9
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GS,
If you want to recharge your Optima yourself, you'll need to jumpstart it first and drive it for about 45 min. That will build up enough charge to allow you to connect your home charger.
If you need to replace it, I think the new Optimas have their posts close to the edge, allowing the battery cable kink to clear the edge of the battery.
If you want to recharge your Optima yourself, you'll need to jumpstart it first and drive it for about 45 min. That will build up enough charge to allow you to connect your home charger.
If you need to replace it, I think the new Optimas have their posts close to the edge, allowing the battery cable kink to clear the edge of the battery.
06-04-2002, 05:15 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by Greg Fishman:
<strong>Take the battery to a shop that has a large battery charger (don't know a better way to describe it), or jump start it, take it for a drive and let the alternator charge it up.
Like Anir said the home charging units won't work as the resistance is too high.
Greg</strong><hr></blockquote>
I don't know about the 993 alternators, but on the Carreras it was not a good idea to use the alternator recharge a flat battery, as it would burn it out. If the Optima seriously overloads a conventional charger like it did my 4 amp unit, wouldn't it do the same for your alternator? The red top Optima is a bolt-in fit - too bad I left the Valentine 1 on all week in the garage - it was down to 6 volts. Pep Boys recharged the battery in about an hour. Now I hard wired the Val-1.
Cheers
<strong>Take the battery to a shop that has a large battery charger (don't know a better way to describe it), or jump start it, take it for a drive and let the alternator charge it up.
Like Anir said the home charging units won't work as the resistance is too high.
Greg</strong><hr></blockquote>
I don't know about the 993 alternators, but on the Carreras it was not a good idea to use the alternator recharge a flat battery, as it would burn it out. If the Optima seriously overloads a conventional charger like it did my 4 amp unit, wouldn't it do the same for your alternator? The red top Optima is a bolt-in fit - too bad I left the Valentine 1 on all week in the garage - it was down to 6 volts. Pep Boys recharged the battery in about an hour. Now I hard wired the Val-1.
Cheers