Trickle Charging

[n0c7]

Not a DSM specific question, but I want to trickle charge my Optima Red Top battery over the winter. The manufacturers recommendations as per Optima's FAQ is to use a 1AMP trickle charger but I have a 2AMP. I contacted their support department twice, one guy said that its no issue at all to use a 2AMP, and someone else quoted me the FAQ line. Don't know enough about charging so looking for opinions.

 

[xxraptor660xx]

Trickle charging - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


There's actually a formula to this.

 

[blktalon3]

2 amps should be fine. I have a battery tender that charges at 2 amps and I left it on my car battery all last winter. Mines a stock battery but I wouldn't think that would make a difference.

 

[n0c7]

Trickle charging - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


There's actually a formula to this.

I'll have to try and calculate it, that was actually one of the first places I checked.

I called Optima again, got another person, and she said 2AMP max. I've got no issue with plugging it in and leaving it all winter on 2AMP, I just want to know the ill effects. I don't want it exploding in my basement, or failing prematurely.