Battery charging

[05lly2500hd]

How long is too long to charge one? I have a RedTop Optima I think I just ruined. It started hissing and smoking and the top bubbled up, it was EXTREMELY hot.........i fell asleep while it was charging.
Now even with cables hooked up efilive only shows a max voltage of 10.9 and between 5-7 volts while cranking. This is with one battery only.

[05lly2500hd]

yes I ruined the battery. Must have overcharged it. Replaced it with a new Optima Red Top. Now onto the starter. I think it's going bad...........:mad:

[madmaxdmax]

Optimas can be S-L-O-W-L-Y charged and require a specific charger to accomplish full charge. I have a wet/gel charger for that very reason. As far as I know any battery that becomes hot is damaged and good luck on getting any more reliable use out of it. My YFZ450 also has a sealed gel battery like the Optima and I have to be really carefull not to fast charge it. The best bet when charging gels is to charge on a timer based on how much voltage it holds before the charge. Use a meter to check voltage once the battery cool down and adjust charge time accordingly.My Tacoma (embarrassed) had an Optima in it for 8 years until it finally dropped in CCA's and needed to be replaced with a new one. My old Optima would still hold a charge of 14 volts but was connected to the trickle charger to keep it maintained since it was on my toyhauler.

[James Hess]

how do you like them red tops? id like ta get some although they are pricey to start but there worth it in the long run i think. had on in a car i used to own but i sold it after i put in the new battery

[madmaxdmax]

I normally swear by the red tops, but they aren't the same Optima as they used to be. When my AC Crapos left me stranded I bought a pair of Bosch wet-cell batteries and they were $40 cheaper each than Optimas AND they have a longer replacement warranty (got them at Pep-Boys in Phx.
I do however have a red top in the Tacoma (work truck) because it was a warranty replacement after the last red top took a dive after 8 yrs. of service.

[drhutch]

My YFZ450 also has a sealed gel battery like the Optima and I have to be really carefull not to fast charge it.

Is your bike battery a gel battery or an AGM battery? I just had to buy a new battery for the bike in the avatar and it is an AGM. They warn in the instructions not to charge it fast but the battery has a label that says a 9 amp charge is ok. According to the battery adviser in the West Marine catalog an AGM battery should be charged at the same rates a flooded lead acid battery is charged.
I use a Guest 10amp smart charger on all of my batteries except the boat and camper and it works great.

[racinmike77]

I never use more than a 2 amp charge. jmo

[madmaxdmax]

Is your bike battery a gel battery or an AGM battery? I just had to buy a new battery for the bike in the avatar and it is an AGM. They warn in the instructions not to charge it fast but the battery has a label that says a 9 amp charge is ok. According to the battery adviser in the West Marine catalog an AGM battery should be charged at the same rates a flooded lead acid battery is charged.
I use a Guest 10amp smart charger on all of my batteries except the boat and camper and it works great.

Gel battery in the YFZ450. I use a charging chart in the operators manual which dictate what amp and time frame is needed for a sufficient charge. Sealed gel batteries are picky for sure. I usually de-sulfate the batteries once a year to maintain optimum charges.

[James Hess]

hoe do you desulfate a batterie??? and i didnt even know thee were so many types

[madmaxdmax]

hoe do you desulfate a batterie??? and i didnt even know thee were so many types


You have to buy a battery charger that specifically has the option. De-sulfating basically uses some type of ultra sonic charge that breaks up the scaling on the plates in the battery. By doping this, all the crud that builds up after time is broken free, therefore helping to keep the battery at a full charge for longer time. I bought this high tech charger from Sams Club for $60 on sale that charges wet/gel/agm batteries, de-sulfates, checks the alternator status AND jump starts....good deal since the same charger goes for $130+ anywhere else. Neat little thing and has been very help full lately:thumb:

[James Hess]

whats the name of that charger because i just found something else i want:lol:

[madmaxdmax]

The name of the charger is a : Smart Power on-Board from Sams Club

[James Hess]

thats a good lookin piece there man):h

[Azzkikrcuda]

I have had very good luck with the older red top batterys. But, I have not bought one in the last 3 years. I have heard from many people that they aren't as good as they used to be.

[madmaxdmax]

I have had very good luck with the older red top batterys. But, I have not bought one in the last 3 years. I have heard from many people that they aren't as good as they used to be.

Yeah..they have def. changed in their reliability. Although my last Optima lasted 8 years, it was finally pulled out of the truck and put into the trailer due to lack of cca's. I had another one a a replacement, but t went bad and was replaced after failing within a year. I decided after that episode to try another brand since this time I was buying two.