Back when I decided to add a full, modern, 12-volt electrical system to my '15, the question came up as to whether to cut the rear floorboards for the sake of an access hatch—and I didn't like that idea, so the saw stayed in the toolbox. Then, to address the issue of a battery with difficult access, I decided on an Optima no-maintenance battery (red top, if it matters). That worked out for a couple of years, but yesterday, my battery, which up to this point had always spun the engine with frenetic gusto, was dead as Elvis. That wasn't supposed to happen.
I hand-cranked the cold engine and amazingly, it cooperated, so we were off to the local Goodyear Service Center for a battery charge. Battery access being a problem, we hooked the positive alligator clamp to the battery-side terminal of the battery-disconnect switch and the other clamp to the engine block and the Optima contentedly swallowed the charge; the self-starter spun the engine and we were back in business. Okay, so far, so good. The rest of the week will tell whether the battery can hold a charge. If it does, great. If not, it'll have to be replaced.
Meanwhile; as usual, my ammeter shows plenty of charge going into the battery from the alternator when the engine is running (and also a slight discharge when idling, which strikes me as odd as there shouldn't be any electrical draw at all when all the car's lights are out and the engine is running on magneto). Okay, batteries do get a little hinky in a car that isn't used very often, so maybe a home top-off charger is in order. I'd prefer to be able to charge through the cigarette-lighter outlet because my battery-disconnect switch is near the gas tank and I'd like to avoid sparks in that area.
So, I guess my question is: Is it possible to charge an Optima battery through the cigarette lighter and can somebody recommend a particular unit for purchase?
A battery tender or trickle charger works OK thru the cigarette lighter outlet as long as the wires are large enough.
I did it for years with boat batteries.
I attached two wires (Red and Black) to a male plug that were attached to two 1/4 X 1 inch bolts and nuts.
There was about 4 inches difference in the length of the wires and they were taped together so the ends would not touch.
I just put the plug in the receptacle, attached the charger to the bolts with the alligator clips, plugged the charger into the wall, and let it do its chargy thing.
I had two batteries -trolling motor and go fast gas motor - so I had two receptacles.
I would charge one battery and then switch to the other.
That is about the same age as the 2 that me and my dad bought.We both bought red tops for our "sunday" cars,his Roadmaster and my Deville.
Both gave out about 3 or 4 months ago.They are very exspensive batterys but they have a good warrenty on them.So dont let them hoodoo you out of it.Take it back and let them test it.
We both bought them because these cars dont get drove very much and we felt like the Optimas reputation for being in storage and holding a charge was a good thing.
Apparently there was a bad run of them about 2-3 years ago.And another problem,they sit on the shelf along time so they can be old by the time you git them..
Once you have the battery charged, Harbor Fright has a cheapie that should maintain the charge. If you want to actually charge the battery, you will be money ahead to buy an automatic, (rather than a non-automatic charger) which won't overcharge your battery, which gasses out the water.
I have a lighter socket under the radiator of the ol' brass picup, and one under the rear. I plug the automatic charger with a long extension cord into the lighter socket after pulling into the garage. When I pull the car out next time, the plug pulls out of the socket automatically, so I can't forget it...
See the other thread about a dead battery.
If you squint, you see half the socket bolted to an L just outboard of the motor mount.
rdr
The charge requirements for an AGM battery is different than a flooded cell, according to the instructions that came with my charger. It has settings for WET, GEL, and AGM, so as I understand it, the best way is to get a charger that has the tailored cycle and voltage for the type of battery you use.
I had AGM batteries in my motorcycles, and I was amazed at how fast the charger shut down after the bikes sitting all winter. It took only a couple of minutes after sitting for five months.
There are other manufacturers of AGM batteries out there that charge a lot less than the Odyssey and Optima, who spend a lot on advertising.
Roar