Red Optima is making a hissing noise! Need input on diagnosis.
07-19-2010, 03:21 PM
#21
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 13,322
hot rod has a real good article on the subject of
AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries like the Optimas.
Its the SEPT 2010 issue.
Not sure if it is available on newsstands yet...
Its highly informative on the subject.
AGMs require a special sort of charger...
Chargers
While in one sense a battery is a relatively sophisticated component with various bits and pieces, it's also a simple piece of equipment that must provide enough cranking amperage to start a car. Once the car is running, the electrical system provides the current to operate the car while the alternator keeps the battery charged. However, the alternator only charges the battery when the car is running. When a car is stored for any extended period of time, the battery is just sitting with it. Over time, a battery's ability to maintain a charge adequate to start the car will diminish. In fact, for any battery, even a brand new one, there will come a time when it will simply die and must either be recharged or replaced.
That's where a proper charger comes in. In short, the best way to maintain a battery in a car that isn't driven on a daily basis is to keep it connected to a charger that has a "trickle" setting. In other words, you ideally want to have a charger that not only charges a battery, but also one that maintains the charge. The idea is to have a battery fully charged, and once it's there, the charger keeps it in a fully-charged state.
The bulk charge mode is a standard charging circuit that ranges from 0.8-3.3 amps, which is where about 80 percent of the battery's energy is returned. The charger delivers an almost-constant current until the battery voltage reaches a set level.
The absorption mode applies a peak charge of 14.4-14.7 volts until the battery is fully charged. The charge current then tapers, and voltage is kept constant at a set level. The final pulse mode sends out current pulses, and charging ranges from 95 to 100 percent. The battery receives a pulse if its voltage falls. This stage keeps a battery in good condition although it's not being used on a regular basis.
Then there is the Deltran Battery Tender, primarily a maintenance-type charger. Its 1.25-amp constant-current reaches and maintains a full charge indefinitely by automatically switching to a storage charge. It won't overheat or overcharge a battery and it adjusts for temperature. In addition, the Battery Tender has microchip circuitry that avoids shorting or sparking if the clips inadvertently touch each other. For example, if storing a car for the winter, NPD suggests removing the battery from the car and leaving the Battery Tender connected while the battery isn't in use. NPD also has a Battery Tender Jr., a more compact unit with a 750-milliamp current rating. It will also charge and maintain a battery.
A general-purpose charger, the sort sold at any auto parts store, is also worth considering and is usually available at a budget price. A good example is the Schumacher SE-82-6 dual-rate charger that we purchased at a local Southern California Kragen Auto Parts store for 25 bucks. The difference between a typical charger such as the Schumacher and the others mentioned is its higher amperage output. At its 6-amp charge rate, it'll charge a battery in about 6-8 hours. And while its 2-amp slow-rate setting is good for smaller batteries, this is a manual charger that will continue to charge even after the battery is fully charged. A visual check of the ammeter is required to know when the battery is fully charged. This unit is not as suitable for long-term low-amperage trickle charging on a stored battery.
AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries like the Optimas.
Its the SEPT 2010 issue.
Not sure if it is available on newsstands yet...
Its highly informative on the subject.
AGMs require a special sort of charger...
Chargers
While in one sense a battery is a relatively sophisticated component with various bits and pieces, it's also a simple piece of equipment that must provide enough cranking amperage to start a car. Once the car is running, the electrical system provides the current to operate the car while the alternator keeps the battery charged. However, the alternator only charges the battery when the car is running. When a car is stored for any extended period of time, the battery is just sitting with it. Over time, a battery's ability to maintain a charge adequate to start the car will diminish. In fact, for any battery, even a brand new one, there will come a time when it will simply die and must either be recharged or replaced.
That's where a proper charger comes in. In short, the best way to maintain a battery in a car that isn't driven on a daily basis is to keep it connected to a charger that has a "trickle" setting. In other words, you ideally want to have a charger that not only charges a battery, but also one that maintains the charge. The idea is to have a battery fully charged, and once it's there, the charger keeps it in a fully-charged state.
The bulk charge mode is a standard charging circuit that ranges from 0.8-3.3 amps, which is where about 80 percent of the battery's energy is returned. The charger delivers an almost-constant current until the battery voltage reaches a set level.
The absorption mode applies a peak charge of 14.4-14.7 volts until the battery is fully charged. The charge current then tapers, and voltage is kept constant at a set level. The final pulse mode sends out current pulses, and charging ranges from 95 to 100 percent. The battery receives a pulse if its voltage falls. This stage keeps a battery in good condition although it's not being used on a regular basis.
Then there is the Deltran Battery Tender, primarily a maintenance-type charger. Its 1.25-amp constant-current reaches and maintains a full charge indefinitely by automatically switching to a storage charge. It won't overheat or overcharge a battery and it adjusts for temperature. In addition, the Battery Tender has microchip circuitry that avoids shorting or sparking if the clips inadvertently touch each other. For example, if storing a car for the winter, NPD suggests removing the battery from the car and leaving the Battery Tender connected while the battery isn't in use. NPD also has a Battery Tender Jr., a more compact unit with a 750-milliamp current rating. It will also charge and maintain a battery.
A general-purpose charger, the sort sold at any auto parts store, is also worth considering and is usually available at a budget price. A good example is the Schumacher SE-82-6 dual-rate charger that we purchased at a local Southern California Kragen Auto Parts store for 25 bucks. The difference between a typical charger such as the Schumacher and the others mentioned is its higher amperage output. At its 6-amp charge rate, it'll charge a battery in about 6-8 hours. And while its 2-amp slow-rate setting is good for smaller batteries, this is a manual charger that will continue to charge even after the battery is fully charged. A visual check of the ammeter is required to know when the battery is fully charged. This unit is not as suitable for long-term low-amperage trickle charging on a stored battery.
Last edited by 157dB; 07-20-2010 at 09:29 AM.
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