Maintenance charger

[Jim Miller]

I always put my cars in storage on a maintenance charger over the winter. On my newly aquired 1949, there are two 6 volt Optimas wired in parallel. Will a maintenance charger typically be able to handle two batteries wired in parallel?

[Jim Govoni CLC 20546]

Optimas use a special charger to keep the warranty. I would check their homepage and check. I don't think though they can be charged in tandem, you will need two charges which are pretty pricey for those batteries.

[Dan LeBlanc]

There is a battery tender available for AGM batteries.  I bought one when I had one in my former 61 and used it for 3 winters with no issues.

[35-709]

I use a Battery Tender (brand name) on the Optima batteries in my older cars and have for the last 10 years or so with excellent results.
I deeply discharged a red top Optima by accidentally leaving the interior lights on in Big Red, I used Optima's recommended method for bringing it back with excellent results.
I see no statement from Optima that their battery charger must be used to maintain their battery's warranty (see below).  I do see lots of "old wive's tales" already cropping up.  An AGM battery is an AGM battery is an AGM battery.

Like the great tire pressure debate, we seem to hash over the Optima battery on a more or less regular schedule.  I use and have used Optimas and have had great "luck" with them and, at least at this point in time, will continue to use them.   

From the Optima Battery website ---

CAN YOU TRICKLE-CHARGE AN OPTIMA BATTERY? AND WHAT TYPE OF CHARGER CAN I USE?
Yes, and you can use any charger on an OPTIMA battery as long as the voltage is regulated properly. If your charger will remain on indefinitely, the voltage should be at 13.8 volts maximum with a one-amp maximum current.

WILL MY HIGH-OUTPUT ALTERNATOR DAMAGE THE OPTIMA BATTERY?
No, as long as the voltage is properly regulated. Because the OPTIMA battery has a very low internal resistance, it will accept high current more efficiently than conventional batteries.
___________________________________________________________________________________
"Is it mandatory that I use an OPTIMA Chargers Digital 400 or Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger and Maintainer to charge my OPTIMA batteries?

No, but most chargers will not take advantage of the superior performance characteristics of OPTIMA batteries. The OPTIMA Chargers Digital 400 or Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger and Maintainer enhance the performance of OPTIMA and other high-performance AGM batteries, and recover deeply discharged batteries and extend battery life."

[z3skybolt]

Yes a battery tender will keep Optima batteries wired in parallel fully charged.  I have two  6 volt Red Top Optima batteries wired in parallel for my 1940 LaSalle. The BATTERY TENDER(brand name) keeps them fully charged when the vehicle is sitting for a few weeks.  Works beautifully. After a year and half of usage I have nothing but praise for the Optima and the Battery Tender.

I drive the LaSalle often and the old 6 volt system keeps the batteries well charged.  Only use the Tender when away for long vacations, etc.

bob r.

[Bob Schuman]

Completely in agreement with Bob Ritchie's comments. My maintainers are one from Sears and one Schumacher, both work fine maintaining the two six volt Optimas in parallel.
My cars spend winter storage where no electric power is available. They start fine after 4-5 months without any maintainer use.

[D.Yaros]

I have been using a Battery Tender + on multiple vehicles for well over a decade without a hitch.  Do not hesitate to recommend it!

[spolij]

Bob  How do you run a charger with no electric?

Also to all I don't know about 2 - 6 volt batteries but there are solar trickle chargers that work fine.

[gkhashem]

You also need the AGM charger for the Restoration batteries.  Or the antique replicas since they are AGM inside the case.