Optima gel batteries

Modern, innovative, reliable and very ... expensive. It's all about them, about Optima AGM batteries. Bright, stylish batteries with a concise design, thought out to the smallest detail, which have no analogues in the world. Not everyone can afford them. But the one who will allow for a long time will forget about problems with the battery in general.

Manufacturer Optima

Optima batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls, Inc. This is an American corporation, one of the largest in the world. It is one of the world leaders in battery production. It has an extensive network and representative offices in many countries, as well as many subsidiaries and partner companies that are part of the holding.

This manufacturer owns innovative developments in the field of gel and AGM Battery. In addition to Optima batteries, Varta batteries are produced here. These batteries are manufactured in the United States, at a plant in Colorado.

Where are Optima batteries used?

Optima batteries are used for cars and trucks (including those with a lot of electronics), for sea and river vessels, in the field of cargo transportation and industrial equipment.

Thanks to a wide assortment of products and a variety of containers and cold scroll currents, the owner of almost any vehicle can choose the right battery option.

Applied technologies and their features

Optima batteries according to the production technology belong to AGM - these are gel batteries, in which the electrolyte is not in liquid form (as in traditional lead-acid), but in adsorbed one, as an impregnation for a special material. This increases the durability and reliability of the equipment, enhances the contact of the active mass with the gratings.

The Optima battery has another feature. The standard plates parallel to each other are replaced here by ribbons twisted into a roll. Between them in the fiberglass is an electrolyte. This allows you to increase the area of ​​the plates compared to conventional batteries, increases energy transfer and charge speed.

All this makes the Optima battery completely maintenance free. Removing the lid and adding water here is not only impossible, there is simply no need, and attempts at such manipulations can be dangerous. At the same time, batteries exceed their standard performance and also have a longer life.

Technical characteristics of a model range

The assortment of batteries from this manufacturer is represented by three series of batteries: Yellow top, Red top, Blue top. They are distinguished by their performance and purpose. You can view all models and study their features on the official website of the company or in the online stores of official distributors.

Optima Yellow Top

Outwardly, it is a battery with a yellow top, traction (power) or starter.

Its features:

• can be installed in any position;
• has low resistance;
• It withstands discharge-charge without reducing capacity;
• resistant to deep discharges;
• high starting currents;
• well suited for seasonal use.

These batteries are designed for vehicles with winches installed on them, powerful sound systems and other equipment that is large and requires a lot of energy consumption. Also suitable as an optional battery. Capacity varies from 38 to 75 Ah, cold scroll current - from 460 to 975 A.

Optima red top

Rechargeable batteries with a red top. Used as starter. Suitable for passenger cars and SUVs, including heavy diesel. The capacity is 44-50 Ah, the cold scroll current is 730-815 A. The manufacturer claims that such batteries, differing in small size and compactness, outperform traditional batteries with much higher capacity.

Optima blue top

A number of models with a blue top. Rechargeable batteries for water transport. Suitable for use at sea, protected from high humidity, compatible with any ships. Also adapted for seasonal use, do not lose their performance with prolonged inactivity. The capacity of the model range is from 50 to 75 Ah, the starting current is from 765 to 975 A.

Optima Battery Maintenance

Optima batteries are AGM gel batteries that are completely maintenance free. It is impossible to open their lid. Such a concept as adding water is also absent, since inside is not a liquid, but a gel.

The most important thing you need to do periodically is to charge the battery. In this case, electrolyte leakage, gas evolution, and corrosion formation are impossible. So, you should only worry about the safety of the case itself - despite the great strength and durability of such a design, it’s still better not to bump and shake it once again. The terminals and connections must be clean (like the entire housing), and if oxidation occurs, it should be removed. You also need to regularly check the reliability of the mounts and protect the device from the effects of adverse climatic conditions.

Store the battery in a cool, dry place. It is necessary to measure the voltage every six months. When it becomes less than 12.6 volts, the equipment must be recharged.

How to charge Optima batteries

To charge Optima batteries properly, you need to use a device with a voltage regulator - a special charger or a generator. Charging voltage should be 13.8-15 V, not higher.

First you need to wait until the battery warms up to room temperature. Connect the device to the battery, strictly observing the polarity. After wiping the case from moisture and dirt.

With a current strength of 10 A, the charging time will be 12-15 hours. It can be charged in energy-saving mode - with a current strength not exceeding 1 A. Or in a quick way - without limiting the current strength, but only until the battery reaches a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius. You cannot exceed this temperature if the battery is still not charged - you need to pause. In this way, for example, at a current of 100 A, you can charge the battery in less than an hour.

A charged battery is considered when the amperage drops below one ampere.

Standard charging may not cope with the AGM battery charge at all!

How to find out the release date and decrypt the code

Marking the release date on Optima batteries is applied on the side, squeezed out. And consists of four numbers. The first indicates the year of manufacture, the rest - the day of this year, when the battery was born.

For example, the marking is: 3117. This means that the battery was manufactured on 117 days of 2013. The exact date will have to be calculated independently. In our case, the 117th day of the year is April 27th. So, the battery was released on April 27, 2013.

Did you have or have a battery Optima? Then tell us in the comments about your impressions about him, this will greatly help other motorists and will make the material more complete and accurate.

Reviews

Egor
An excellent shelf life - I ride it for nine years. The engine is diesel. There were no problems with starting or sudden discharge. A thing is well worth the money.

Alexander
The manufacturer claims that this battery is not afraid of deep discharge.This happened to me twice, as a result, he worked for only three years, then he died completely. In general, no better than usual.

Fedor
I bought it because I have a lot of electronics in the car. I use it actively. For three years I charged only once. Satisfied completely. In the future I will take the same.