My 6 volt "John Deere" battery with 820 amps of cranking power, died after just over one year of use despite being kept on a battery tender. For better or worse I have ordered two 6 volt Optima batteries which I will wire in parallel. I know several of you have done this and it is pretty straight forward. My question is this...
.....given that I will have to attach cables to the terminals in parallel...will there still be room for my normal battery clamps to attach to the terminals? Or will I have to find some kind of "thin" connector cable clamps to leave room. Perhaps there are ready made connectors with some kind of additional "terminal" for connecting to the vehicle battery clamps. I don't want to change the heavy clamps and cables already in the car.
Also I have read that the Optima AGM batteries are to be kept peaked up at all times with a quality "maintainer" as opposed to a "tender". What is the difference and what do you guys recommend?
Thanks for the continuing education. My LaSalle appreciates it.
Bob
Also I have read that the Optima AGM batteries are to be kept peaked up at all times with a quality "maintainer" as opposed to a "tender". What is the difference and what do you guys recommend?
Thanks for the continuing education. My LaSalle appreciates it.
Bob
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Don't think there is any difference. The difference is between a 'Charger' and 'Maintainer/Tender'
I used a Battery Tender on the battery in my 61. Three years and no issues before I sold the car. I did, however, make sure to get a battery tender that was listed for use with AGM batteries as that what was inside the case of the reproduction battery.
I recently had a concern that my 2 stage 'Battery Tender' unit wasn't maintaining my repop style battery (which has a VERY small AGM battery inside), so I asked the manufacturer, Deltran, directly.
They responded that as long as my unit has the 4 step processor with an absorption stage, it was perfect for an AGM battery (as well as lead/acid and gel). It turns out it does, even though it's nearly 10 years old.
My repop battery lasted about 10 years, which is all you can expect I guess.
Below picture is the battery minder I use on the 6 volt Optima battery on my 47. No problem in the last six years with keeping the Optima up to full charge. Always keep the input to the battery low, 1 amp input with this type tender/minder. Bill
This is how my 2 Optima batteries are installed. I used the thickest wire I could get, then 2 double clamps accordingly. It isn't the prettiest work, but for now it will do.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv64%2Fjerome56olds%2FIMG_0032_zpsmte5npiq.jpg&hash=e724588ad36e5969b74f1ac33609750670f9b251) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jerome56olds/media/IMG_0032_zpsmte5npiq.jpg.html)
Jérôme
Thanks Jerome, Bill and all,
Just what I was looking for. Both the "tender/minder/charger and a picture of the battery hook up. I will use your suggestions.
Bob