optima batteries

[Racer96m]

WE have run a red for years, dont think you can go wrong with any of them. Something to think about. These are AGM batteries and should use a AGM compatable battery charger. A normal charger will charge them, but if they get to discharged a normal charger will not charge them back up. We use a CTEK charger, a US 7002. it has a seperate setting for the AGM batteries. We also use the Confort indicator panel from CTEk in the car. It is small, 1.5 x 3/4 in, has a port to plug in charger and best of all has 3 leds that blink to tell you the condition of your battery. Green is charged , yellow needs charge and red is dead. So if at track and starts blinking yellow, we throw the charger on real quick. The charger is small and doesnt take up much room on the trailer also. Just my .02

dave.

[dirt0]

So if the battery gets fully discharged this CTEK charger will charge them back up. Also will these chargers maintain the battery as well.

[Racer96m]

So if the battery gets fully discharged this CTEK charger will charge them back up. Also will these chargers maintain the battery as well.

Yes, CTEK actually developed this charger for the first Optima battery. It will charge from dead and can be left on to maintain the charge without over charging. Very nice piece. I am very happy with it. And I wouldnt ever have another race car without the Monitor Panel in it. So nice to have an Idea how much charge is left in the battery, and not just be guessing.

Dave.

[dirt0]

So the monitor panel hooks to the battery and stays on the battery at all times.

[Racer96m]

So the monitor panel hooks to the battery and stays on the battery at all times.

Yes it hooks directly to the battery and is on all the time. It has next to 0 draw because a little LED is the only thing blinking and they use next to no power. Also makes for easy place to plug in charger. Dont need those extra battery posts to charge battery. Very clean little set-up.

Dave.

[balljoint]

Looking at running an optima with the CTEK but have a couple questions.

First off, the car is a LM with no alt. Running 50-150 lap mains. Pretty bare electically. Shouldnt be much drain.

I dont want to have battery problems.

My questions are 1) should I run two batteries? Currently set up for it. 2) which one? (I already have a D27M bluetop)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ult-9027-127/overview/

Looking at buying one of these two:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ult-9012-021/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ult-9006-006/overview/

Leaning towards the yellow top because it has a 1 year longer warranty.

Also, would running two bats vs one effect which CTEK charger I select? Two would put me at 260 AH. Would the smaller 7002 work or would I be forced to go with the 2500?

Would that yellow top be enough? Dont want to try the 1 battery with the smaller charger only to find I need to add my other battery and buy another charger.

thankyou

[racinjj]

I ran the red top in my asphalt late model with no alternator and electric fans and long 50 - 100 lap races with no issues. I replaced the battery every three years for piece of mind. Now I switched to yellow top on my dirt cars after reading the Optima website. I have never had any battery related issues, I throw a smart charger on between every race.

[silver6sp7]

I ran a red top with no issues,but was just givin a new Interstate MT7 AGM ,it's their new AGM battery, looks good,well see.....