Accumate/ optima battery Query??

[SmokinV8]

Have just put a Red Top Optima battery on my cerb and reading the blurb with my Accumate charger says its suitable for all lead acid batteries.... but Optima's gel, isnt it? So should I keep it topped up with the Accumate?

[coey 4.2]

Hi, thats right the Optima range are gel not lead/acid so you will need to get a specific 'red top' charger from Optima, this works just like the Accumate.
I used lots of Red/yellow tops back in the day when i built very big audio systems, but using a normal charger shortened the life of Optima's by about 30%.
Any good Optima dealer should be able to order you a red top charger, with this that battery should last several years.

[V8 GRF]

Just lifted off Accumates site for the basic Accumate

"Perfect for all types of rechargeable lead-acid batteries: filler cap types; absorbed acid "MF" for motorcycles; valve regulated (VRLA); & GEL-electrolyte types."

So I guess it's OK for your Red Top battery

Edited by V8 GRF on Wednesday 16th April 17:39

[SmokinV8]

Well I just spoke to a couple of mates in the "off road" scene and they have used commercial chargers for theirs before and one of them has been using the same Red Top for 12 years! Mind you, they dont have the same constant drain on theirs as we do with alarms/clocks etc.

[Guillotine]

accumates are fine. 3 stage charger almost identical to the DMS item.