Frequently Asked Questions

Show all/Hide all

1. What does the SPIRALCELL® design do?

The unique design of the SPIRALCELL® -TECHNOLOGY. provides many features not available in ordinary batteries. The following is a summary

SPIRALCELL® -TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES:
More plate surface, closer plate spacing, ability to use high purity lead. RESULTING IN: Low internal resistance. This low internal resistance gives you more power in a smaller box, ability to recharge much faster and higher cleaner voltage characteristics during discharge

Immobilised plates (locked in place). RESULTING IN: Improved vibration resistance, no shedding of active paste material, lower gradual loss of power and capacity as the battery ages. This gives you a battery that lasts longer and performs better throughout its life.

2. Does OPTIMA® ever gas?

When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stays below 15 volts.

3. Does the OPTIMA Deep Cycle have a "memory"?

Lead-Acid batteries do not suffer from memory effect. Many people think they have a memory because they experience a reduction in capacity or run-time as the battery ages. The active paste material in an OPTIMA battery is a consumable item, similar to tread on a tyre. Every time you cycle the battery some of the paste is used up. As the battery ages, less of the active paste is available to charge and discharge, resulting in a reduced operating time. This situation can be more apparent in the case where a high power or SLI battery is used in a deep cycle application. The plates of an SLI battery are designed for high current, short duration discharges. Plates in deep cycle batteries are better suited to repetitive deep discharge applications.

4. Why the low rate of self-discharge?

Mostly this is due to the purity of the lead and processes used in the manufacture of the OPTIMA® SPIRALCELL® construction. Some alloys / additives used in conventional batteries are more prone to electron transfer, resulting in high levels of self discharge.

5. Why is OPTIMA not perishable like other batteries?

Why is OPTIMA not perishable like other batteries?
(See Question 4.)

6. Can you trickle charge an OPTIMA? Solar card charger?

Yes, you can use any charger to charge an OPTIMA, 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.

7. Will my high-output alternator damage the OPTIMA?

No, as long as the voltage is properly regulated. As the OPTIMA battery has a very low internal resistance, it will accept a high current (and be charged faster) more efficiently than conventional batteries.

8. Will it discharge the battery if leave it sitting on concrete?

No, Optima batteries utilise polypropylene plastic for the case material so concrete will not affect them. When possible, always store a battery in a cool dry location.

9. Can I hook an OPTIMA up in parallel with my other battery?

No, when connecting batteries together they should be of identical make, model, and of similar age.

10. Can I use an isolator with an OPTIMA?

Yes, most any type of battery separator or solenoid can be used with an OPTIMA. The important thing to remember is that the charging voltage must be within the limits suggested by OPTIMA Batteries. If you are using an OPTIMA and a conventional battery, your system must charge each battery independently. Remember, some isolators cause a voltage drop, make sure your charging voltage AT THE BATTERY is sufficient. Continued undercharging of a battery will lead to premature failure and a drop in capacity.

11. Why does the OPTIMA last longer?

The main reasons the OPTIMA® battery has a longer life are:

No shedding of active paste material. The SPIRALCELL® design immobilises the plates preventing the active past from working loose, which can cause plate to plate shorting

High purity lead-tin grid. Grid material in OPTIMA® batteries is more resistant to grid degradation. A type of internal corrosion that affects the plates inside a battery as it ages

Sealed design prevents loss of water which can lead to plate dry out and failure.

12. What is the difference between your deep cycle and starter battery?

The OPTIMA deep cycle battery combines a different chemistry for the active paste material on the plates, and a slightly stronger acid. This chemistry change allows for a much longer life in cycling applications, with only a slight reduction in power.

13. What does deep cycle mean?

Deep cycle means using the battery in an application that will typically discharge 60% to 70% or more of the battery capacity. An automotive battery is an SLI (starting, lighting, ignition) battery. It's plates are designed to deliver maximum power for a short duration. Starting a car typically discharges an SLI battery only 1% to 3%. When an SLI battery is used in a deep cycle application, or in a vehicle with heavy accessory loads, the battery life will be shortened proportionally to how deeply it is cycled on a regular basis.

14. When should I consider a deep cycle?

Any time you need the battery to supply all the operating power for a vehicle or other device. Additionally, deep cycle batteries should be used in vehicles that have heavy accessory loads where the alternator cannot maintain the battery in a fully charged condition.

15. What is a Gel Cell Battery?

A gel battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead acid automotive or marine battery. Gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the battery case. Many gel batteries also use one way valves in place of open vents, this helps the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing.

16. How does a Gel Cell compare to your deep cycle?

Most gel batteries have a much higher internal resistance, meaning they will not be able to deliver and receive current as efficiently. This is especially apparent at higher amperage levels. For example, most gel batteries will not work successfully in engine starting applications.

17. When should I use a Deep Cycle OPTIMA as a Starting battery?

"Deep Cycle" batteries are designed for applications that require deep, repetitive amperage drain, like trolling motors, ICE installs, golf carts, electric wheelchairs or RV / Marine house power sources. However, there are other applications, called "Heavy Cycling" or "High Cycling", when a Deep Cycle OPTIMA can successfully replace a starting battery to provide longer life and better performance.
In heavy cycling or high cycling applications, a vehicle will pull unusually high amperage levels from the starting battery due to extra accessories or limited alternator capacity. Utilities, including police, fire and ambulance fleet managers often find that traditional starting batteries cannot provide adequate life and performance due to heavy cycling. This is an excellent example to provide a solution with longer life and better performance by using an OPTIMA Deep Cycle battery in this type of application.

In any vehicle or equipment that will use the battery only for Starting, Lighting & Ignition requirements and has a properly working alternator, the OPTIMA RedTop Starting Battery will perform extremely well, often providing up to two to three times longer life than conventional batteries. If the vehicle has few or no after-market accessories and uses a stock or upgraded alternator, the OPTIMA RedTop Starting Battery is the appropriate choice.

Remember, it is possible for the customer to have a completely discharged YellowTop OPTIMA that will not start their engine; so it is important to monitor current drain using a volt and amps gauge to know when the YellowTop Optima is discharged and requires recharging. Advantages of the YellowTop OPTIMA are that it can accept a rapid recharge and will thus recover from discharge faster than traditional batteries.

To provide you with the best OPTIMA solution, it is, necessary to consider both the application and the charging system before recommending the correct OPTIMA. For example, if drive a Land Rover Discovery with an after-market alarm system, which OPTIMA would you recommend? If you drive the car every day, the RedTop would be the correct choice, since the amperage drain will be nominal and the battery would be recharged on a daily basis. However, if the vehicle is used infrequently and left without uses for long periods of time with the alarm system engaged, the OPTIMA YellowTop would be recommended, since the amperage drain over several weeks would damage a RedTop and reduce its life.