My '69 was sitting for a few months and the battery appears to be completely drained (optima red top).

I'm wondering if I should invest in a battery charger or just buy a whole new battery?

Is there a way to determine if the battery is toast or can just be charged and then good as new?

 

Correct me if I am wrong but optimas have a lifetime warrentee (if not lifetime quite awhile) that is why they are nice and expensive... I know you can take them back to autozone you might wanna try that. I think they are also the ones you could trust to keep the acid off your stuff

 

charge that sucker up and see if it will take a charge.

Charge it on a low amperage setting overnight.

 

how old is the battery?

most only last about 3 years, then throwaway.

you can get them tested, but if its over 3 years old its probably toast.

i use a trickle charger (bout $35) to keep them topped up when car not in regular use.

 

ok, probably not toast if it is one of these Optimas

 

The battery came with the car when I bought it about a year ago, not sure how old it is...

Local AutoZone guys are real @$$holes, "no battery testing w/o proof of puchase" and "no returns on battery chargers".

Anyone know of how to take advantage of the Optima lifetime warranty w/o proof of purchase?

 

u prob gotta contack optima... not sure

 

ah nevermind, according to the optima website it's only "36 Months Free Replacement, Remaining 36 Month Prorated"

Guess I'll cough up the $ for a battery charger and see what it does...

 

that sux charging it might work. i thought Optima had a longer warranty.. guess i was wrong

 

Might consider a cheapo 2 amp charger if $$ is an issue.

I kind of like the 2 amp chargers anyway.