Optima Red Top Battery
Discussion
Guys - can I pick your brains?
Fitted an Optima Red Top battery in my Tuscan S (MK1) in January this year.
Due to a broken foot I picked up while on holiday in August, the car had not been used since mid August, just short of 2 months. It was in the garage, unlocked (so no alarm on to use any power..), and unfortunately not on the battery conditioner. When I tried to start it a few days ago, the battery was dead.
I was a bit surprised, as the Optima batteries are supposed to hold their charge better and longer, and when I tried to put the conditioner on, the amber and green lights started flashing. Left it plugged in for over one day, and when I checked the next morning, only the amber light was flashing, and I could hear the beep of the alarm at random times. A few hours later, the amber light stopped flashing, so I just unplugged the conditioner.
For the experts out there: I suppose this means that the battery is dead, right? Do you think there was an issue with it to begin with? Maybe it was faulty or something? Or could it be that my conditioner had it?
Any advice?
Fitted an Optima Red Top battery in my Tuscan S (MK1) in January this year.
Due to a broken foot I picked up while on holiday in August, the car had not been used since mid August, just short of 2 months. It was in the garage, unlocked (so no alarm on to use any power..), and unfortunately not on the battery conditioner. When I tried to start it a few days ago, the battery was dead.
I was a bit surprised, as the Optima batteries are supposed to hold their charge better and longer, and when I tried to put the conditioner on, the amber and green lights started flashing. Left it plugged in for over one day, and when I checked the next morning, only the amber light was flashing, and I could hear the beep of the alarm at random times. A few hours later, the amber light stopped flashing, so I just unplugged the conditioner.
For the experts out there: I suppose this means that the battery is dead, right? Do you think there was an issue with it to begin with? Maybe it was faulty or something? Or could it be that my conditioner had it?
Any advice?
Thanks a lot guys - very helpful info indeed.
However, I am still surprised that the Optima lost its charge so soon. When I paid the £200 to get it, I was hoping that I would not have to face these kind of issues. Otherwise, what's the point? I could have spent £70-80 at Halfords and gotten the 5 year warranty as well..
However, I am still surprised that the Optima lost its charge so soon. When I paid the £200 to get it, I was hoping that I would not have to face these kind of issues. Otherwise, what's the point? I could have spent £70-80 at Halfords and gotten the 5 year warranty as well..
Right - Update..
Borrowed a CTEK MXS 5.0 charger, plugged it in using the jump leads with the Anderson connector as the CTEK leads had crocodile ends, and left it overnight to charge.
This morning, the red light (error) is on.
Looking at a video on line, this is supposed to light if you connect the positive lead to the negative pole on the battery, or the other way round. Pretty sure that I connected it the right way (actually, the AA battery expert did it for me..), and I am a bit confused as to why this error light is on now, and did not come on in the first place when I plugged it in the mains.
Any ideas?
Borrowed a CTEK MXS 5.0 charger, plugged it in using the jump leads with the Anderson connector as the CTEK leads had crocodile ends, and left it overnight to charge.
This morning, the red light (error) is on.
Looking at a video on line, this is supposed to light if you connect the positive lead to the negative pole on the battery, or the other way round. Pretty sure that I connected it the right way (actually, the AA battery expert did it for me..), and I am a bit confused as to why this error light is on now, and did not come on in the first place when I plugged it in the mains.
Any ideas?
Thanks Toni - already did that on Friday evening, took the tyre off and connected the CTEK charger directly to the battery, but without disconnecting the terminals from the battery. Seemed to be charging at first, but on the next day that I checked, I had the error light on again.. In fact, as soon as I would plug the charger to the mains, the alarm lights would come on and off (although faint) and would stay like that.
So I disconnected the battery completely, put it on the charger and the next morning it seemed to be fully charged.. Connected everything back yesterday (Sunday) evening, but haven't taken the car out for a drive yet. Sounded really rough when I started it for a few seconds yesterday though..
So I disconnected the battery completely, put it on the charger and the next morning it seemed to be fully charged.. Connected everything back yesterday (Sunday) evening, but haven't taken the car out for a drive yet. Sounded really rough when I started it for a few seconds yesterday though..
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