Old Optima Batteries

[Obsessive]

I have a 15 year old CSX continuation car. It has the same Optima 6v batteries (two fo them) that I installed when I bought it. The vehicle sat for 5 years with a bad camshaft until I recently rebuilt the motor and now have things running again. Before I lit the engine off, I charged the batteries and was surprised to find that they charged up! My excitiment was short lived, however, as I cannot get the batteries to give enough juice to consistently start the motor. My voltmeter reads 11.89 volts but they won't give the starter motor what it needs to get things moving.

Question: Could it be that the old batteries are charging up to the proper voltage but will not have enough Amps?

I'm inclined to just replace them but wanted to see if there is another alternative bofore spending another unexpected $400.

Thanks!

Mike

[MGlad]

Use a load tester, that'll tell how much amperage they're putting out. I just don't know how you would use it on two 6Vs in series though. With the car running, you should be getting close to 14Vs.

[Ron61]

The load tester could be used on two 6 volt batteries in series but you could do them one at a time and that would tell you if you have one battery that is not up to par and is dragging the other down. Also letting the set that long with no battery tender on them they could have lost a cell or have a weak one. Good luck and I hope it isn't anything serious.

Ron

[redmt]

I had to replace the Optima Yellow Top in Ron's coupe. It had sat for years and while the battery charges up OK, it wouldn't support a load. It charged and held for a couple weeks but as soon as I put a load on it, it pooped. It will support a very light load.

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by redmt

I had to replace the Optima Yellow Top in Ron's coupe. It had sat for years and while the battery charges up OK, it wouldn't support a load. It charged and held for a couple weeks but as soon as I put a load on it, it pooped. It will support a very light load.

That sounds a lot like my trouble. I replaced the batteries this morning and she started right up. I measured the progress of the voltage and things seem to be charging well too.

However, I took it for a ride and warmed up the motor. I pulled into a gas station and shut her down. I tried to go again and the starter did not want to turn over. I teook a reading of the batteries and they had plenty of charge. I do not regret replacing the old batteries - they were 15 years old and had sat for 5, afterall - but I think I may have a loose ground somewhere. In addition, my turn signals are no longer working. Ah yes, Lucas electical...

Thanks for you feedback guys.

Mike