Optima Battery Failure Characteristics, Engine Turns over slower and slower Options

[Spoke]

I have a red top Optima battery in my 74 and over the last few months, the engine has been turning over slower and slower. What are the characteristics of the Optima when it is going bad?

Lead acid batteries usually just dump and won't start the car.

I haven't checked the voltage at rest or while the engine is running to see if it's the battery or my charging system. I guess that will be tonight's activity.

Can I use an external charger to try to put a full charge on the battery?

Thanks,
Spoke

[Spoke]

I have an SC34U Red Top Optima.

From Batteries Are Us

Here's their charging suggestions:

Charging an Optima or AGM Battery
After handling the Optima product for 15+ years we would like to share the following:
See our NEW line of OPTIMA recommended Chargers (Battery Accessories)
Facts:
- Batteries are designed to store electricity.
- Batteries do not make electricity.
- Batteries must be charged before any testing is accurate or effective.
- Alternators ARE NOT battery chargers!
- Seldom to batteries discharge / re-charge on their own.
- Deep Cycle batteries will take much longer to charge.
- Battery chargers need to be tested and amperage and the voltage checked manually.
- Sitting a battery on concrete does NOT discharge it!

Battery charging instructions:

* Voltage at the battery terminals when vehicle is running should Be from a minimum of 12.8 volts to < 15.0 volts
* Battery chargers should charge 13.8 ? 15.50 volts,

Never charge a battery at > than 15.6 volts.

We recommend the following charging procedure for a 34, 34/78, 75/35, and 6v:

1) Charge the battery A MINIMUM OF 100 amps for 15 mins ( @ 14.5+ volts)
a) Let battery and charger cool for 15 mins
2) Repeat step one at least four times - after letting battery cool 15 mins after each charge
3) Charge at 2-10 amps (trickle / automatic) for 24 hours minimum
4) Test the battery
5) D31 batteries: repeat each step again

--> WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND CHARGING TWO BATTERIES AT A TIME- CONNECT THEM POSTIVE POST TO POSITIVE POST ? negative post to negative post) AND PUT THE CHARGER NEGATIVE CABLE ON ONE BATTERY AND THE POSITIVE ON THE OTHER BATTERY! (and DOUBLE CHARGING TIMES)

ALL Optima's need Charged up if they have been discharged, before testing!


We compare charging an Optima to waking a teenager up on Saturday morning, or filling an empty 55-gallon drum with water ? it?s going to take some work!

Charging 10 amps on a drained 31 series battery is like filling a 55 gallon drum with an eye dropper!
Charging 10 amps on a drained 34/78 sries battery is like filling a 55 gallon drum with a 10oz cup - it can be done; but why?

Your alternator will not (and should not be used to) charge an OPTIMA up - unless you have a 100 amp alternator and less than 100 amp draw, and charge it for A long period of time with the car running. (and this will only ruin your alternator)


Experience indicates most batteries thought to be defective may have been discharged, and just need woke up ? and recharged,
Questions to ask before having battery tested:
How many amps is the alternator charging at full output?

How many volts is the alternator charging at full output?

How many amps draw is there on the battery, when application is NOT running?
(Put an amp meter between (+) cable and the (+) post of the battery)

Always use a voltage regulated battery charger with limits set to the above ratings. Overcharging can cause the safety valves to open and battery gases to escape, causing premature end of life. These gases are flammable! You cannot replace water in sealed batteries that have been overcharged. Any battery that becomes very hot while charging should be disconnected immediately. If the safety valaves have popped, warranty is void!
Thank you,
Technical assistance
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Website: www.BATTERIESareUS.com
Email: tech@BATTERIESareUS.com
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