Why isn't my optima battery working??? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Rmyers · 08-30-2002, 10:41

I just bought a Optima yellow-top dry cell battery. The guys at the store said it should be already charged. I hooked it up to my car, but it's not workin?!? Got a mate to jump start my car, wne't drivin for about fifteen minutes, came home, and it still doesn't start the car!!!

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? The terminals are definately the correct way around, everythins hooked up and I just don't seem to be gettin any power.

Is it possibly a defective battery, or is there something stupidly obvious that I might have overlooked???

Troutman · 08-30-2002, 20:35

I don't know anything about that kind of battery, but I am assuming it has enough cranking power to start the car?

BlueBAXR8 · 08-31-2002, 06:03

We got an Optima battery for our modified dragster and struck
the same thing , [ it was as dead as a tack ]
I just put it on slow charge o/nite and next day it was fine.
I only charge it between race meets and it's never given
any drama
We don't run an alternator and it starts and runs our
BOSS 351 13.1 comp engine 6-8 times a meet no sweat

Aussiblue · 08-31-2002, 06:14

Jack see http://www.optimabatteries.com.au/default.htm

I guess as they are made in USA they may be filled and charged there; if so it's not suprising they lose their charge; although you would think they would add the acid and charge them here.

galapogos01 · 08-31-2002, 08:16

it takes a lot longer than 15 minutes to charge a battery rmyers!

at least an hours driving id say, keeping the revs > 1500 helps too...

btw: where did you get it and how much was it??

Jase

Bass Crazy · 08-31-2002, 20:29

Just give it a slow charge, bout 4-6A overnight and it should be fine.

CATman · 09-01-2002, 01:53

Aussie blue, if its a dry cell battery wouldn't that mean that it doesnt' have acid in it???

Rmyers · 09-01-2002, 04:00

Got it at freeway car audio for $399. Got RACV to have a look at it, his opinion is that it's a dud and that I'm gunna need to take it back. Volts drop to around 5V at crank, were it shouldn't drop below 8.

When I say it's got no power, I mean absolutley nothing. I was driving it around at night, I turned my high beams on and my whole instrument cluster just switched off!!! These batteries can stay in storage for 8-12 months without going flat, so I don't think it's just a matter of charging it.

Anyway, I'll try charging it over night, if that doesn't work, there will be heads cracking!!!!!!!!

Aussiblue · 09-01-2002, 10:53

It is not a dry cell. As the Optima site says:
"The spiralcells are pressure-inserted into the individual cylinders. There is no free space between the plates preventing shorting between the plates and damage due to vibration.

Once the cells are fitted, electrolyte is injected into each cell and is absorbed by the porous glass separator material like a sponge. This locks the electrolyte in preventing spilling or leaking even if the case is ruptured. It also prevents the active material on the plates from drying out.

With the Optima completely sealed you get a battery that eliminates corrosion, can be mounted in any position and requires no special storage or handing procedures. "

It's just would appear more difficult to add electrolyte post manufacture and transport dry charged.

Rmyers · 09-01-2002, 20:57

Does anyone here think that it may be a problem with my alternator, coz I got this new battery to replace my old one that died. Now it's got me thinkin that there may be nothin wrong with my batteries, but with the alternator, could this be a possible explanation???