Battery question or problem?(kind of long,sorry)

This topic has 8 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 3 months ago by RazorCat.

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March 10, 2014 at 3:15 pm #322618

HAROLD PEARSON
Participant

Have an optima 31 series cranking battery that is 7 months old.Yesterday turned key and only got a clicking sound.Got in back and checked connections all good and clean,turned over again same thing.waited a couple of minutes and tried again.This timed it fired.Let it idle a couple of minutes and then turned off to check again before heading out.Turned key and the same clicking sound and multiple times after nothing.Finally got cranked and trailered.Once I got home hooked up charger,minn kota 110d.Checked voltage on smartcraft and was reading 12.2 or 12.3.After charging it showed 13.8.Within 15-20 minutes after unhooking charger it was back down to 12.2.I just put the new charger in about 3 weeks ago.The one in before was the minn kota digital 106d which I dont think is strong enough for the optima battery per specs.I am thinking that the last few months when charging cranking battery it wasnt getting sufficient charge and may have reached an early end.Thanks for any ideas or thoughts

March 10, 2014 at 4:21 pm #322631

kent7351
Participant

Ya might bring it by an automotive store to have it load tested.It could be the battery, the connections, or even the starter motor. Id start with having the battery load tested first.

March 10, 2014 at 5:28 pm #322658

polaris425
Participant

kent7351 wrote:Ya might bring it by an automotive store to have it load tested.It could be the battery, the connections, or even the starter motor. Id start with having the battery load tested first.I agree. 13 PIV w/ 200 MercIG: WarriorRiverCustomRods

March 10, 2014 at 8:04 pm #322673

mike dominick
Participant

I didnt have good luck with the 31 Optima as a starting battery on an Optimax, went to the sears diehard 31, no more problem.

March 10, 2014 at 9:03 pm #322699

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

It sounds like the battery may be going, but as stated have it load tested. If your not running a lot of newer large screen electronics or power poles the Optima should be good (going on almost 8 years on mine, but mine is on a timer that runs charger for 1/2 hour a day) for the Optimax with 1125 MCA.

March 11, 2014 at 1:32 am #322719

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

BCB she been very open on this topic gong way back and feels heavier is better as AGM is best.

March 12, 2014 at 12:54 am #322733

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

One more quick question.Turns out my dad has load tester.My question is would you take battery out of bilge area to test,test it there or just disconnect all connections and then test it where it sits.

March 12, 2014 at 3:19 am #322747

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Test it in place. It just heats up a coil in the unit that draws power down when it shorts across the coil.

March 12, 2014 at 11:48 am #322769

RazorCat
Participant

Sounds like a bad battery. Should be an easy warranty replacement. Nothing wrong with an Optima. The D31M I have has been fine for running 3 – HDS units with SS, livewells, and bilge pumps, and still having more than enough juice to start my Opti. I may go to PM-1 if I ever add more accessories, but prefer the lighter weight of the Optimas for now.
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