How to recharge an Optima battery?

[ToadHill]

It sounds like you have a short someplace that is draining the battery. I had a tractor like that once and never could find the short, everything worked and the only way I solved the problem was to buy a disconnect switch that I bolted to the + terminal on the battery. When I finished using the vehicle I flipped the blade to disconnect and before I started the vehicle I flipped it to connect.

 

[pat32rf]

In my case the battery was draining thru the alternator field. I installed a relay that broke the circuit unless the ignition key was turned on.

 

[Kays Supply]

Larry, I am charging DeWalt 18V cordless tool batterys. I am a plumbing contractor and do 90% of my cutting and screw driving with cordless tools.

 

[john_bud]

Well, doesn't that beat all...

Stopped by to talk about the results of the defective battery. Talked about a yellow top. Guy said I should look at BLUE top if I didn't mind the money. Said it was marine grade AND was "dual purpose" for cranking and deep cycle (or what ever it's called)

how much?

(clickty clickty click on his calculator)

Net difference after tax, about $76.00

HUH?

I got a 100% refund on my defective battery.... 100% !!!! no pro-rated no nothing but full refund.

Put it into Brutus and it fired up in its typical 3/4 revolution. (fast starting machine when you can get it to crank over)

I'm a happy camper

Question:

Did you actually put on the battery disconnect? If you didn't - you really should. If you did, please disconnect and put a digital amp meter between and see what the machine is drawing when off. It should be ZERO, unless you have a short. Even good batteries go bad when crossed with a short. And you don't want to mess with a bad battery...

jb

 

[Richard]

This is an old thread but my question is sort of related to it so at least you have history.

Update: I got one of those battery disconnects (blade type thing that lifts the ground from battery terminal). This has saved me some drain that I suspect I'm getting somewhere in my system. I have also learned that I seem to have a habit of leaving my key turned on...I'm sure that has nothing to do with my battery drain . (my machine has a manual kill knob, the key doesn't do it)

OR....just as plausable....

I don't really use my backhoe enough to keep the battery charged full time. I DO know that in the winter time I tend to have charging issues.

Here's my question... I've been searching for a solar battery charger. I've read here that you can get a trickle charger, float charger, chargers rated at 1.26 watts, 5 watts, up to 62 watts....

What to get if I wanted to get some kind of solar device that I could set on the hood of my machine when I'm not using it? I would want this device to do more of a maintain my battery rather than actually charge it since I have a plug in that I could use for that.

I park my machine far enough away from the house that if (when) I get into charging issues, I have to use my car to jump start it. I'd like to simply get a 12v device that I can put on the hood and hook up (via the battery clamps, not cigarette lighter socket type connector) to my battery and possibly FORGET about for 3 months with no harm done.

I'm more interested in getting something that works properly and is going to last than buying the absolute cheapest item. quality first, then price.

 

[tommu56]

Richard
hook some Anderson connectors (read electric forklift) to battery and to a convenient place and make a jumper cable to truck/car from there.


Hook the solar charger to that connector too.
tom

 

[KrazyBob613]

Not a stupid question at all... (as one who's done that before). I double checked and everything was hooked up properly.

Now, I should mention in all fairness.... couple days ago, when I went out to start the backhoe, I DID find that some DUFAS had left the ignition key in the 'on' position. Since I live 15 miles out of town and my next nearest neighbor is a mile away, I'm not sure WHO the DUFAS was, but if I ever catch that DUFAS who left the key turned on, he's in for a nice can of whup hiney!!

That clarify a lot!
Ok first conclusion, Battery has been totally discharged, this means it will require 36 to 48 hours on an automatic charger to restore it to a full state of charge and that is providing that the battery has not been damaged by freezing during it's discharged condition! You MUST monitor the Voltage and Charge rate. Limit the charge voltage to 15 volts / 10 amps for the first 4 hours then reduce the charge voltage to 13.8 volts / 2 amps for the next 3 days, only then can you test the battery and determine if it is any good! Easier solution is simply to buy a new one.

As to the dufas ... Install a locking ignition cover

 

[chevytex]

A while back I read that once a optima battery was completely discharge you can recharge it . you must use 2 batteries one regular 12 volt battery wired in parralel with the optima battery to the charger. Some qurik with the optima requires a minimun charge from the regular battery to offset the dead optima. then recharge as normal thru the the battery charger to the reg battery and to the optima which is in parralel. Hope it helps,,,,,

 

[Bob77064]

That's only with a regular charger, I got an Optima 1200 digital charger made for Optima batteries. OPTIMA® Chargers Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger and Maintainer :: OPTIMA® Batteries