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