Battery chargers?

[Shmoov69]

Mods, not sure where this is supposed to go, so I stuck it in open D. Move if necessary.

Ok, I got Optima battery's in the cars but am wondering if the charger is really worth the cash? I've always been able to trickle charge the battery's with a "normal" charger without any issues, but never a fast or jump charge. Well, my dinosaur charger took a crap and I need to buy another one. There are different brands out there and seem to do the same thing, but I don't know. Are you buying the name or a different product totally? I got a buddy that has this one and likes it: http://www.granitedigital.com/aiodc-2.aspx

But Optima is constantly "helping" us out..... Which I want to support also.
Comments?

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Shmoov69

Mods, not sure where this is supposed to go, so I stuck it in open D. Move if necessary.

Ok, I got Optima battery's in the cars but am wondering if the charger is really worth the cash? I've always been able to trickle charge the battery's with a "normal" charger without any issues, but never a fast or jump charge. Well, my dinosaur charger took a crap and I need to buy another one. There are different brands out there and seem to do the same thing, but I don't know. Are you buying the name or a different product totally? I got a buddy that has this one and likes it: http://www.granitedigital.com/aiodc-2.aspx

But Optima is constantly "helping" us out..... Which I want to support also.
Comments?

I was recently told that the OPTIMA battery chargers are capable of recharging the Optima battery when it drops to as little as 9 volts. The other battery chargers won't even recognize a battery when it's that low. So that MIGHT be something to consider.

I have several Ctek chargers and they have a button to change for charging the AGM batteries like Optima. Charging an AGM battery with a "normal" lead acid battery charger is just all wrong... they use completely different charging voltages.

[tones2SS]

I currently have a CTEK 3300. Works great. A little pricey, but so worth it. I plug it in and forget it.
http://smartercharger.com/battery-ch...ti%20US%203300

[130fe]

I bought the Optima charger, the 400 (smaller one). I have optimas in a couple of my vehicles. I like it because it has settings for the different type of optima batteries and normal lead ones. Not a bad deal for $100.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by 130fe

I bought the Optima charger, the 400 (smaller one). I have optimas in a couple of my vehicles. I like it because it has settings for the different type of optima batteries and normal lead ones. Not a bad deal for $100.

They (USCA/Optima) gave every participant a 400 in a "goodie bag" at Laguna Seca.... I just haven't hooked mine up yet. It's in the trunk of the '33 which I dropped off back at Brizio's. Pretty darn nice goodie bag!!

[TheJDMan]

There are several videos on youtube on how to properly charge an AGM battery and what charger to use. Here is one but do a search as there are more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slqd73ZOQvI

[Shmoov69]

Thanks guys!! I will check into them all. Appreciate the feedback for sure!

[Revved]

Since just about all the cars I service and the cars I build run Optima Batteries I've started providing the big charger as part of my service on big jobs. It's got trickle charge feature which half these guys don't bother doing so I make it ease. As Greg mentioned can bring these batteries back from nearly dead due to owner abuse.

[FANTM58]

I've had good luck with the battery tender set up
I use the dual battery unit, works great !!