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New Optima 12V Battery - Necessary to Charge First?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Kizzy, Sep 4, 2017.

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  1. Kizzy

    Kizzy Member

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    I want to say thanks again to bisco, Sam Spade, and dolj for your advice on charging the battery. I'm going to follow it, as I've come around to understanding the importance of ensuring the battery is within spec. Will purchase a charger and top the battery off before installing it. Then I'll observe the battery voltage about 12 hours after taking it off the charger. Hopefully it will achieve full charge and remain in the 13.0V range and not drop back quickly to 12.6V. I'll follow up here with my results.

    -Kizzy
     
    #21 Kizzy, Sep 5, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2017
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've got a CTEK 3.3 and 4.3. Like them both, solidly built, no problems.
     
    #22 Mendel Leisk, Sep 5, 2017
  3. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    You can disagree all you want.......in any form that you want.......but it is a fact that any 2 amp charger can be used to charge ANY automotive battery......IF it is mostly charged to begin with.

    Even the little $2.95 trickle charger from Harbor Freight will work........IF you keep an eye on the voltage and don't mind needing to leave it connected for 48 hours to get the job done.

    Is it the best choice.......probably not.
    Spending a couple of more bucks for a unit that does not claim to have that restriction would be better.
     
    #23 Sam Spade, Sep 5, 2017
  4. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Well worded.
    While SOME AGM batteries might be able to maintain 13.2 resting when new, all of them don't.
    All of them aren't identical. Each company uses it's own design and chemistry.

    Don't be concerned if you can't quite make that.......or if it gets there then drops off a tenth or two while sitting.
     
    #24 Sam Spade, Sep 5, 2017
  5. Kizzy

    Kizzy Member

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    Thanks SS. I'm going to pick up a charger today and charge it overnight. Having done more research, the Schumacher SEM-1562A will in fact charge the battery from the 12.6V range, as you said. The manual is worded that way to dissaude those who might try to use it to charge a more depleted auto battery, which it is not designed for. There is in fact another version of the same manual that I found, without the restriction. So you are correct, it will work.

    How long do you estimate it would take to fully charge the Optima from 12.6V to 13.2V at a charge rate of 1.5A? Do you think an overnight charge of 8-10 hours should do it?

    -Kizzy
     
    #25 Kizzy, Sep 5, 2017
  6. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Shouldn't take too long, so overnight should be plenty. Just monitor the LED indicator for when it shows charged. It will automatically switch to maintenance mode once charged so you don't need to worry about it too much.
     
    #26 dolj, Sep 5, 2017
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    1.5 amp rated charger is kinda low. What does the manual suggest as max, 3~4? I would look for charger in that range, if you're still shopping.
     
    #27 Mendel Leisk, Sep 5, 2017
  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    And actually if you're still shopping, it would be useful to get a charger designed for AGM batteries.
    It does, but OP has a Optima battery which recommends up to 10 Amps max.
     
    #28 dolj, Sep 5, 2017
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  9. Kizzy

    Kizzy Member

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    I went with the Schumacher SEM-1562A. It works with AGM batteries. It charges at 1.5A, and also works as a maintainer. Yes, it's a little slow, but I have more time than money these days. It's regularly about $30, I got it at my local Pep Boys for $23 after CA tax with the same 30% off promotion that I used to buy the Optima.

    Will report back with my findings, probably tomorrow.
     
    #29 Kizzy, Sep 5, 2017
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looking forward to it, all the best!(y)
     
    #30 bisco, Sep 5, 2017
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  11. Kizzy

    Kizzy Member

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    Battery is charging as of noon Pacific Time. Let's see how it goes. This should be interesting. :)

    -Kizzy
     
    #31 Kizzy, Sep 5, 2017
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  12. Kizzy

    Kizzy Member

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    While I'm waiting for the battery to charge, thought I'd ask a separate question about the installation.

    Is there a "trick" to removing the vent tube from the old battery? Does it pull straight out, or does it need to be twisted in one direction or the other first, before pulling it out? Seems to be an area of trouble for some.

    Also, when reconnecting it to the Optima, is it just a simple push-in friction fit type thing, or is it a push and twist, i.e. the reverse of removing it from the old battery?

    -Kizzy
     
    #32 Kizzy, Sep 5, 2017
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I can't recall exactly, but it seems to click in positively. Pull the old one out while you're waiting. The yuasa and optima appear to be dimensionally and functionally identical, vent tube opening included.

    The Toyota hold down bracket is a piss poor design, intolerant of the slightest height difference: I had to put a washer under, to help it seat.
     
    #33 Mendel Leisk, Sep 5, 2017
  14. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    I've been in Electronics for about 50 years now; I know what works and what doesn't......usually. ;)

    Hard to say what the charging time will be but my guess is at least 12 hours.
    When my Fusion sits unused for 2 weeks or so I hook up the little maintainer. It takes from 12 to 24 hours for a green light.

    Note that if the charger indicates a full charge in an extremely SHORT period of time, like 30 minutes, that probably indicates a problem too.
     
    #34 Sam Spade, Sep 5, 2017
  15. Kizzy

    Kizzy Member

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    Thanks Sam. It has been charging continuously for about 3 hours so far...still going.

    It is presently measuring approx. 13.7V between the terminals, with the charging clamps connected and charging. Has been steadily rising the entire time.

    The battery is perfectly cool to the touch.
     
    #35 Kizzy, Sep 5, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2017
  16. Kizzy

    Kizzy Member

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    Nearing the 5 hour mark. Has reached 14.75 volts between the terminals, with the charging clamps connected and still charging. I believe the stated max. charging voltage of this charger is 14.8 volts.
     
    #36 Kizzy, Sep 5, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2017
  17. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Yes......and.......all that means is it is still charging at near to it's max. capacity.
    If the voltage is slowly going up, that means that the battery is charging; that is, it's effective internal resistance is going up.
    It might sit at that voltage for a LONG time before the charging is complete.
     
    #37 Sam Spade, Sep 5, 2017
  18. Kizzy

    Kizzy Member

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    Thanks SS. I was wondering about that. It's now at the 6 1/2 hour mark. Still sitting at 14.75V.
     
    #38 Kizzy, Sep 5, 2017
  19. Kizzy

    Kizzy Member

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    Charging completed after 8 1/2 hours. Battery voltage has been dropping steadily since being removed from the charger a short while ago, and is currently at 13.3V.

    I will say that the voltage seems to have stabilized quite a bit however. Should I be concerned that it's hovering closer to 13.3V and not 13.2V?

    I guess we'll see what happens overnight. I'd expect it will drop a little more yet.
     
    #39 Kizzy, Sep 6, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2017
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Drive it for a day or two, burn off what's referred to as "surface charge". Check and post: I'd put a buck or two on 12.7.
     
    #40 Mendel Leisk, Sep 6, 2017
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