If any one has had a problem recharging a supposedly dead Optima battery, the latest (April 09) issue of Street Rodder Magazine has a good article about recharging these type batteries when they have become overly discharged.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Y-Guy Paul:        That article almost made me cry. I've thrown several

               Optima's away thinking they were no good!!!!!

                                                   Bill

Bill

Pelham,Al

I haven't read the article yet, but we are in the process of converting all of the HMMWV's that my shop supports over to OPTIMA batterys. I just last week receved three new charger systems just for the OPTIMA batterys. I'll do a little research next week and post details. The chargers have multiple hookups and appear to be a trickle charger as opposed to the old chargers that we used with lead/acid batterys. The info is that the OPTIMA holds up better in a desert enviroment.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

Optima Batteries are Lead Acid Batteries. Most "regular battery chargers" will not hurt these units. If the top of the battery is hot to the touch don't charge it until it cools to the touch. Most important is not to charge the battery at high voltage approaching 15 volts. The acid in this battery is in the "gel" which is wrapped around the lead cylinders. The batteries have "burp valves" which allow the expansion of the gasses that form when you charge to escape if the pressure is to high. This happens " the burp" when the battery gets hot. To many "burps" are not good as each time this happens some moisture that is with the acid is released and can not be replaced. The "burp valves" on most Optima's are located under the black foam buttons.
Most newer battery chargers have a selector switch for "gel cell" Optima type batteries. These battery chargers recognize the charging curve and should not over heat these batteries while bringing them to a state of full charge. Schumacher Battery Chargers offer a variety of chargers with this feature.  www.batterychargers.com 
I hope this helps
Jim

  Jim Rowe Elkhorn, NE