Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

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David Jones
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#31 Post by David Jones »

Chuck, I would try and get it adjusted down to 7.3 volts max at high rpm. Long periods of time above 7.3 can cause the battery to overheat and boil the acid off. Ideally the charging voltage should be between about 6.7 and 7.3 volts for good battery life and an adequate charging cycle. Less than 6.7 with a good battery and next to nothing is going in to the battery and it will probably never get back to a full charge even on a long run.
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#32 Post by David Jones »

Chuck, In a normal battery a charge voltage of over 7.3 volts could boil off the battery acid but in an Optima it may not be quite so sensitive. I would however try and get the voltage down to 7.3 max just to be sure.
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
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Charles H Jacobus
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#33 Post by Charles H Jacobus »

Thanks, Dave.

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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#34 Post by Wes Bender »

I don't recall where I obtained the text below, but it covers charging the Optimas pretty well:

"OPTIMA® REDTOP® Charging Information

The following charging methods are recommended to ensure a long battery life. Always use a voltage-regulated charger, with voltage limits set as described below.

REDTOP® Type: 34 & 34R - 34/78 - 78 - 25 & 35 - 75/25

These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are NOT recommended or warranted for use in deep-cycle applications.
Recommended charging information:
Alternator:
13.3 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.
Battery Charger:
13.8 to 15.0 volts, 10 amps maximum, approximately for 6-12 hours.
Rapid Recharge:
Maximum voltage 15.6 volts (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125°F (51.7°C). Charge until current drops below 1 amp.
Float Charge:
13.2 to 13.8 volts, 1 amp maximum current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).

Strictly adhere to all limits.

REDTOP® Type: 6V

These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are NOT recommended or warranted for use in deep-cycle applications.
Recommended charging information:
Alternator:
6.65 to 7.5 volts, no amperage limit.
Battery Charger:
6.9 to 7.5 volts, 10 amps maximum, approximately for 6-12 hours.
Rapid Recharge:
Maximum 7.8 volts (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125°F (51.7°C). Charge until current drops below 1 amp.
Float Charge:
6.6 to 6.9 volts, 1 amp maximum current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).

Strictly adhere to all limits."

Hope this helps.

Edit: On searching, it appears that it came directly from the Optima website.

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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#35 Post by Jack Kwiat »

I was considering buying a 6-volt Optima from a guy who inadvertently received a 6-volt instead of a 12-volt, but was unable send it back. According to the date 12/17, it was almost a year old.
When I looked at it, it had a bent negative post. I put my meter on it and it only had 3.47 volts.
He was asking $80.00 for it originally. The bent post didn't scare me as much as the low voltage.
It still had the protective caps on the posts.
The question is, should I have rolled the dice and taken a chance on it? I kinda turned it down. :?
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#36 Post by Mike Wilson »

I'd pass on it.

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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#37 Post by Jack Kwiat »

Mike Wilson wrote:I'd pass on it.

Mike
Thanks Mike.
I was feeling buyers remorse after turning it down. I guess I probably did make the right decision. As they say, you gotta listen to your gut.
I was also thinking, with the battery being just shy of a year old, it still should have had closer to 6-volts in it. I'm sure most batteries lose some voltage in storage, but 3.47 volts just sounded a bit low.
or am I off base?
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#38 Post by Mike Wilson »

I have two 6V Optima batteries. One is over 10 years old that I use for testing, the other in the car is 7 years old. Both holding charges so you made the right decision.

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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#39 Post by Jack Kwiat »

Thanks again, Mike.
I don't feel as bad anymore. :)
I may end up buying a Tractor Supply Traveler battery in the meantime. The one in my car now is 7-yrs old, and also bought at TSC, which I don't think was bad.
I'm sure it won't equal an Optima in longevity and cranking power....oh well.
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#40 Post by Richard Sjolund »

My new Optima 6 volt battery is in "Ruby" and we made our 1,720 mile trip to Arizona together with no problems. Now Ruby will go into storage here until early January - and I'll do the real test when I come back to start her up. The storage unit has no power so a trickle-charger is not an option. My backup plan is to bring along my old Optima - with a fresh charge and a short jumper cable - in the Audi A4 Quattro that we drive to Arizona - through the snow, ice and salt.
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#41 Post by Mike Wilson »

Locally, we can order 6V, red top Optima batteries through O'Reilly's.

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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#42 Post by Wes Bender »

If you disconnect the battery Richard, there shouldn't be anything drawing it down. Also, somebody in the AZ Outlaws would have a charger, spare battery or jumper cables. You going to be in Phoenix or the Tucson area?
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#43 Post by Richard Sjolund »

Wes Bender wrote:If you disconnect the battery Richard, there shouldn't be anything drawing it down. Also, somebody in the AZ Outlaws would have a charger, spare battery or jumper cables. You going to be in Phoenix or the Tucson area?
Yes I have a disconnect "switch" on the battery ground terminal. I am a foreign member of the AZ Outlaws - and just finished the Javelina 100 tour. I know that I can get some help, and that is always a comfort. I wrote a Registry article about being rescued by the TAN -- our assistance network. It does work !
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#44 Post by William Block »

CHATHAM MOTORSPORTS
owned by Mick Michelsen (of the pink flamingo)
(540) 981-0356
chathams@aol.com
is a long time Registry supporter and has the best prices on Optima Batteries (I purchased one this year)
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Re: Where to purchase a 6 volt Optima Battery

#45 Post by Neil Bardsley »

Richard Sjolund wrote:
Wes Bender wrote:If you disconnect the battery Richard, there shouldn't be anything drawing it down. Also, somebody in the AZ Outlaws would have a charger, spare battery or jumper cables. You going to be in Phoenix or the Tucson area?
Yes I have a disconnect "switch" on the battery ground terminal. I am a foreign member of the AZ Outlaws - and just finished the Javelina 100 tour. I know that I can get some help, and that is always a comfort. I wrote a Registry article about being rescued by the TAN -- our assistance network. It does work !
I had screw type disconnect switch/off on on my 356 but it started to fail. The car wouldn't start and it wasn't recharging well (you could feel the plastic heating up) so I had to remove it.

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