I keep killing optima red top batteries

[Jr]

Hi guys,

I need help figuring out how/why I keep killing optimas.

The car:
1967 Camaro
New aaw wiring
Ls with lsa blower.
Bosch intercooler pump. Pump stops working when key is off.
Anvil light bar headlights
Holley dash/ dominator ecu
Vaporworx fuel module
Zl1 pump.

Where should I start looking? Could it be a bad ground? Is something still “on” even though the key is off?

Jr

[cjfirstgen]

Hi guys,

I need help figuring out how/why I keep killing optimas.

The car:
1967 Camaro
New aaw wiring
Ls with lsa blower.
Bosch intercooler pump. Pump stops working when key is off.
Anvil light bar headlights
Holley dash/ dominator ecu
Vaporworx fuel module
Zl1 pump.

Where should I start looking? Could it be a bad ground? Is something still “on” even though the key is off?

Jr


Have you tested for parasitic battery drain?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIKNnwEjIs

[Jr]

No, but I will.

[morrisclassic]

cjfirstgen is giving good info.
I had the parasitic drain problem on my 69 Camaro,
finally found it of all things the clock in the stereo!!
It took a while for the battery to drain but over time
setting in the garage the car wouldn't't crank.
Billy

[dhutton]

Define killing. Is it discharged or is it damaged and not chargeable?

Are you using the correct charger for Optima batteries?

Don

[572Camaro]

Cjfirstgen is giving good info.
Parasitic drain.
I had the same exact problem on my 68 Camaro and found two leaks from my fuel injection and transmission computers. Since both loads have to bypass my disconnect switch and go directly to the lead of the battery, I decided to change out my red top Optima and install an Odyssey battery.
Problem solved. Odyssey batteries rule!

[cjfirstgen]

That is the biggest issue with the modern ECU's and electronics we have put into classic cars. Most new cars have some small amount of parasitic drain but in theory they get driven regularly where our classic cars do not. A battery maintainer is pretty much a necessity. You can also utilize a battery disconnect which I recommend.

Not all maintainers or chargers are created equally. I use R2's for their digital readout but CTEK and others use the same pulse type charging technology aka (smart chargers). Learn about the difference here.

https://www.r2batterysaver.com/battery-chargers-pulse-vs-conventional-battery-charging-technology-comparison-research-summary/

https://www.r2batterysaver.com/product/6v-12v-25w-charger-maintainer-lcd-auto-pulse-battery-rescue/

[CarlC]

One of the challenges of having a not-driven-often car and using a complete system disconnect switch is that the long and short fuel trims get deleted once power to the ECM is disconnected. Not a big deal, but it may mean the car is a bit "cranky" until 1-2 cold start and run cycles are complete.

I use a disconnect switch to disconnect the main power buss but have a simple 5A circuit breaker bypass in order to protect the whole system when in storage. A battery maintainer is easy enough to do.

[Jr]

I usually have the battery connected to a battery tender. I was looking at the optima 400 and 1200 series.

I will look into the ctek maintainer.

[Jr]

Define killing. Is it discharged or is it damaged and not chargeable?

Are you using the correct charger for Optima batteries?

Don

Dead/discharged not damaged. This is the 4th optima I’ve put into the car in 4 years.

[Jr]

One of the challenges of having a not-driven-often car and using a complete system disconnect switch is that the long and short fuel trims get deleted once power to the ECM is disconnected. Not a big deal, but it may mean the car is a bit "cranky" until 1-2 cold start and run cycles are complete.

I use a disconnect switch to disconnect the main power buss but have a simple 5A circuit breaker bypass in order to protect the whole system when in storage. A battery maintainer is easy enough to do.

Yes, I’m definitely going to hook a disconnect up.

[Musclerodz]

toss the red top, and change to yellow. Once a redtop discharges, its done. Doesn't solve your problem, but its the first thing I would do. I won't run redtops anymore

[Zspoiler]

I had this problem on my 1981 El Camino SS .The shop found a short under the drivers side power seat .I disconnected it and have had an issue since ,Maybe you have a similar problem .Good luck on your search.

[dhutton]

Dead/discharged not damaged. This is the 4th optima I’ve put into the car in 4 years.

So you are able to charge the battery after it is discharged?

Don

[dhutton]

toss the red top, and change to yellow. Once a redtop discharges, its done. Doesn't solve your problem, but its the first thing I would do. I won't run redtops anymore

Even an Optima charger can’t bring it back?

I run Odyssey and I’m able to bring them back with an Odyssey charger.

Don

[Jr]

So you are able to charge the battery after it is discharged?

Don

No. When it’s discharged, it’s done.

[cjfirstgen]

No. When it’s discharged, it’s done.

A conventional charger definitely cannot bring them back. A pulse charger can in many cases. I have done it myself. Again check out the R2 battery saver chargers and videos I posted. Not pushing them as a brand but the videos are loaded with good information on the technology.

[dhutton]

No. When it’s discharged, it’s done.

What charger are you using?

Don

[Jr]

What charger are you using?

Don

Battery tender.

[Jr]

A conventional charger definitely cannot bring them back. A pulse charger can in many cases. I have done it myself. Again check out the R2 battery saver chargers and videos I posted. Not pushing them as a brand but the videos are loaded with good information on the technology.

Thank you. Yes, there is some great info in these videos.

[SSLance]

No. When it’s discharged, it’s done.

That is not correct. I've brought a red top back from fully discharged when it was pretty young and that battery lasted me 8 years before the Arizona heat finally got it a couple months ago.

I hooked a good battery up to the fully discharged red top, then a battery charger to those. The charger sees the voltage from the good battery and charges the red top back up.

I now have a Optima 1200 charger and use it to keep all of my car batteries topped off if they aren't being driven.

[Jr]

That is not correct. I've brought a red top back from fully discharged when it was pretty young and that battery lasted me 8 years before the Arizona heat finally got it a couple months .

I’m glad you were able to bring yours back to life. In my case, the battery was done.

[RdHuggr68]

I bought an Odyssey battery in 2012, parked the car in Nov. 2014. I put a maintenance charger on it till this summer. It is back in the car and working great. I would never buy anything else.

[Vegas69]

Quite the consensus here. HA I brought a red top back multiple times with an old fashioned battery charger. I'm sure the severity of discharge is a factor. One thing I'm sure of, they don't hold a charge long. Use a battery tender, drive them bi-monthly or forget them.

[pannetron]

I believe that several Battery Tender type trickle chargers will *not* properly maintain an Optima battery. That came as a surprise to me when I learned that. So I bought the less expensive Optima charger and that is working ok.

[Musclerodz]

Even an Optima charger can’t bring it back?

I run Odyssey and I’m able to bring them back with an Odyssey charger.

Don
Your "supposed" to be able to with their charger but I just don't bother. The only way I know how to bring a redtop back from the grave is to pull it up with another battery on the charger. That is what the optima rep(not Jimi) told me years ago long before optima had their own chargers. Since I switched to yellow tops, I just don't have the pesky issues I had with the red ones.

[randy]

I have one of each in my garage is there any downside or upside running a yellow top over the red?

Your "supposed" to be able to with their charger but I just don't bother. The only way I know how to bring a redtop back from the grave is to pull it up with another battery on the charger. That is what the optima rep(not Jimi) told me years ago long before optima had their own chargers. Since I switched to yellow tops, I just don't have the pesky issues I had with the red ones.

[DRJDVM's '69]

In the past I've used the CTEK to maintain my Optima but lately I've had some issue with it....not sure if its the battery itself or the actual charger... so I just bought the Optima 1200 and hooked it up to my Yellow Top today........ we shall see if this works better.

I have a red Top in my Camaro....and old red Top on a shelf for years... I'm going to see if I can revive that one

[WILWAXU]

The Dusold answer..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0mvHKEvbpc

[Musclerodz]

I have one of each in my garage is there any downside or upside running a yellow top over the red?

If a yellow discharges you can usually bring it back up. Red is usually done.

[srode1]

If you like the optimas, choose yellow top, they are better at recovering from repeated discharges

[69MyWay]

I believe that several Battery Tender type trickle chargers will *not* properly maintain an Optima battery. That came as a surprise to me when I learned that. So I bought the less expensive Optima charger and that is working ok.

Winner winner!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the EXACT issue. I finally bought an Optima Charger. Had it on a blue top for my speedboat - FLAWLESS. It has specific settings for the Optima or other batteries.

No more issues - prior to this I was killing mine off too!

The Optima Charger was like $80 or less...can't remember for sure, but it does both types of batteries so I've been very happy with it and flawless battery maintenance on my Optima.