Lee3333

Can you use a regular charger on an Optima battery?

masterchief1112

i would assume it would depend on the type of battery it is. i would say wait till someone more knowledgeable on this subject answers.

Ed RazorLite

Which model Optima?

For any AGM battery you should not use a basic charger unless you are only charging it up for a few minutes.

The reason is that most standard battery chargers output a set voltage of maybe 15-16v.
After a few minutes this can heat up the plates of an AGM battery.
A proper AGM battery charger will sense battery voltage and if it is really low it will output 15-16v for a few minutes until its near full, then voltage will lower to 13v or so and give a "soft charge" to the battery which is much safer.

flyhhr

you need to put it on a trickle charge like a 2 amp setting you will be fine

Lee3333

Then would a trickle charge on it be alright? This is not for my HHR-my dealer finally realized that I was not wrong, and the radio I installed was not causing my battery to die only when the temperature was cold.

I need a battery for my project hotrod-a Jeep I am putting a small block Chevy into. But, until I get the new motor in, the 6 cylinder is hard to start so it may kill the battery. I know that my current battery is also bad, since I disconnected both pos and neg, and it was stone dead after a couple of weeks.

collyn

Yes

Lee3333

Then I shall get one. I have to find out the correct size for me-physically to fit in the Jeep, and performance wise to crank a 450 SB.

Next question-what is the difference between the yellow, red, and blue top?

collyn

They red is primarily a starting batt, yellow is a deep cycle batt, the blue is like a yellow in function, but extreme vibration resistant and marine certified for boats. All will work in your jeep. I'd just get a yellow if it were me. slightly less cranking amps than a red, but more forgiving if you repeatedly drain it down and recharge it.

flyhhr

You can put the battery anywhere in the car if you want. But most of them would be a 75/35 d battery. I am using 2 yellow tops in my hhr. But I do have 6 that will be going in when ever I get my money straight to get my system installed. I have 6 10'' 9 amps and 6 set's of comp. What I am using them for now is my air bag's, tv, playstation strobes, neons,gps,camera. What year is the motor you are putting in. The Gm alternator for as long as I know have a bad voltage reg. in side them. I would get a hi out put alternator with a battery cut off switch that should help you out just my 2 cents

mistermike

I have a Vector battery charger that is superb and has a special setting for AGM batteries. They have been taken over by Black and Decker, but the charger line up appears to be identical.