Charging A New Battery?

[MikePA]

I decided to spring for an Optima Yellow Top (Group 51) battery for my TC25D to replace the el cheapo $40 battery I bought at Tractor Supply.

When I installed the TSC battery (to resolve the original 'cheesing' battery), I just bought the battery, came home, installed it and the tractor started right up.

So, I did the same with the Optima (bought at tna-sports.com). When I went to start the tractor, I noticed the glow plug light wasn't as bright. Hmmm. Went to turn the key and the starter would not even run. Hooked up the old battery and the tractor started right up.

I immediately contacted (email) tna-sports. They claim that's it's not unusual to have to chrage a new battery. True? A $40 TSC special battery doesn't need charging but an Optima that costs almost 3 times more needs charging before being installed?

 

[Junkman]

Batteries discharge while sitting on the shelf. You need to be careful with Optima batteries because if you allow an Optima battery to become nearly or completely discharged you can ruin it. DO NOT jump start the vehicle and allow the generator / alternator to charge the battery because it will not be able to put a full charge into the battery. If the battery isn't destroyed completely, it will have a MUCH reduced reserve capacity and a very short life thereafter. Get a battery charger and charge at a slow rate until fully charged.

The problem with any of the spiral-wound batteries is the gasses generated between the plates cannot escape fast enough due to the plate's spiral wound construction and during a rapid charge that will damage the plates.

I buy the $29.99 batteries from Wally World and when they die, I replace them with another. I usually get 3 - 4 years out of the 1 year warranty battery. The two year battery in my car is now going on 5 years. For the price, you can't beat them. I rather save the money and replace them a little more often than to spend 3 or 4 time what they cost for an additional year of two..... Sometimes more is less and less is more.... In batteries this is the case in my opinion.... Save the $$$$ and take the wife for dinner.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Slamfire]

I charge all of them when I get them home. Some charging systems won't increase the voltage from what it finds initially.

 

[KubotaBling]

most batteries discharge while sitting on the shelves some sit as long as 1 yr or more check the date code i had one that was out of warranty when i bought it from walmart. I use a VDC electronics battery minder it safely charges any battery and in the off season it keeps the el' cheapo batteries from running down. www.vdcelectronics.com

I've not had such luck out of wally world batteries i have bought 4 deep cycle batteries for my RV in the last 4 yrs. I'm going to swap to a dry cell battery like the ones used in aerospace about the same price as optima but life expecitancy is about 8-10yrs.

 

[frank_f15]

i don't know mike? but i just buy good quality batteries about $60 and get 4 years out of them. after 4 years i replace them whether i need to or not. hate getting stuck with a shot battery.

 

[MikePA]

Fortunately, I have a battery charger that's got a switch that allows me to select a 10 amp or a 2 amp rate (it's also got a battery test position). The Optima is charging now at the 2 amp rate. I will let it charge overnight.

 

[chrisjbell]

You should be fine after putting it on the charger at low power setting (although I don't know a lot about the Optimas). If not, take it back and get a new one. You'll know pretty quick - it should either work like a champ or you don't want it.

When batteries are shipped, it is pretty common that they are shipped with no electrolyte ("water") in them. Whenever I replace one of my smaller batteries (tractors, motorcycle) I go to a place where they keep 'em on the shelf with no fluid in them. They fill 'em, and charge 'em as they are purchased so there aren't any shelf life concerns.

If a battery has been trying to hold a charge for a year on a shelf somewhere you have to be really careful with it when you install it. Putting a trickle charger on a new battery is probably a good practice, in general. If it is fully charged up when first used it will last longer and perform better.

 

[snowman]

Would a "trickle charger" work as a battery charger as described in this thread?

I have a trickle charger that I keep hooked up to my electric start generator to keep the battery from going dead on me.

I was thinking about getting new batteries for my two cars - both over four years old now - and would charge up the new batteries with my trickle charger if it's "strong" enough.

I also have one of those 12 volt Booster Pacs that can be used to jump start a battery; would hooking that up charge up the battery at all?

Not an electicial wiz, as you can tell.

Thanks

 

[Junkman]

A trickle charger is the best method, but you have to be careful to remember to remove it. They aren't regulated and will cook a battery if left on for days.... I usually take the trickle charger off after 12 - 24 hours, depending on how low of a charge the battery has.

 

[MikePA]

Well, I charged it at 2 amps for over 18 hours. The glow plug light looked about the same brightness as the TSC battery, but it still will not start the tractor! I am not a happy camper!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I've sent another email to tna-sports.