Optima batteries are not gel batteries. They are AGM, or advanced glass mat. They are maintenance free and vibration resistant. Gel batteries have serious limitations and notoriously poor performance. Optima has a great battery but it won't be much help if your system draw is 90 amps and your alternator only puts out 60 amps. In this situation your battery must supply the needed amperage and is probably not getting a sufficient recharge. If you know a decent Chrysler mechanic/dealership you can have them check to see if your electrical system is able to handle the draw from your accessories. If not, you may simply need a more powerful alternator. Many standard alternators only put out 60 amps. It is not difficult to change to a 110 or 120 amp unit that comes on trucks that power refrigeration units or lighting systems. Your problem could be as simple as a voltage regulator malfunction.
Best wishes, john ________________________________ From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Thu, November 26, 2009 4:33:57 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] van battery The extra battery with cables and auto switching is less then 2000 by the dealer. You could have a knowledged friend do it much cheaper. Regarding the EMC system updates, yes it can be expensive but depending on how many miles you log each year you might want to save some of those pennies for the future. Best Wishes In a message dated 11/26/2009 11:54:58 A.M. Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes: i cannot afford the $10,000 to get it > updated. >OVR helped to buy but they do not > maintain or update. which i did not know how much this was going to be when > it > was installed. >EMC has a monoply and my dealer > charges $180/hr for EMC repair. >I was charged $500 for a used tri-pin > this summer. I even had to use parts from my old tri-pin. >highway > robbery-imho........ >i have to travel over 2.5 hours just > to get to nearest dealer. > > >----- Original Message ----- >>From: [email protected] >>To: [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] >>Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 11:22 >> AM >>Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] van battery >> >>EMC systems must be updated every 2-3 years with the controls going >> back to Louisania for upgrades and repairs. When was the last time you >> did that? >>Best Wishes >> >>In a message dated 11/26/2009 10:16:13 A.M. Central Standard Time, >>[email protected] >> writes: >>I cannot open the doors or use the lift while van is >>> running-safety feature. >>>i've read that the optima is a good battery. i was thinking the >>> yellow top. not sure what is different then the red top. >>> >>>over 50% of the time when I replace the battery, it blows my EMC >>> DIGI-TONE. >>>dealer does not know why it happens. the guy who wired it up is >>> retired. >>> >>>----- Original Message ----- >>>>From: RONALD L PRACHT >>>>To: Derrick ; [email protected] >>>>Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 >>>> 10:45 PM >>>>Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] van >>>> battery >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>Hey, >>>> Ive got a gmc safari wheelchair van that has power >>>> doors, lift and a six way power transfer seat. Ive owned the >>>> van >>>> for 5 yrs and have been through 5 batterys. I was sucking so >>>> much >>>> power out of the battery that is boiled the battery acid over >>>> the >>>> top of the battery onto the driveway, lol. I just put in a >>>> optima >>>> gel red top battery in my van. Im hoping I will get better >>>> service >>>> out of it than the acid ones. I will tell you that the key is >>>> starting the van (if possible) before you run all the power >>>> accessories. When the van is running you can run anything you >>>> want because the power draw is put on the alternator. Using >>>> the >>>> power options with the engine off is what kills the battery. >>>> Replacing the battery every year is a piece of cake though >>>> unless >>>> you own a Dodge then you have to disassemble half the van to >>>> get >>>> the battery out. Most batterys have a 3 yr warranty.....when >>>> you >>>> use your warranty dont explain to much or they might void the >>>> warranty. >>>> >>>>ron c7 >>>>--- On Wed, 11/25/09, Derrick >>>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>>>From: >>>>> Derrick <[email protected]> >>>>>Subject: [QUAD-L] van >>>>> battery >>>>>To: [email protected] >>>>>Date: Wednesday, November >>>>> 25, 2009, 7:40 PM >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>The PA cold weather >>>>> killed my van battery today. Luckily I could still get out >>>>> of >>>>> the van >>>>>I'm tired of replacing >>>>> the van battery(3rd Napa battery in 18 months).I get a new >>>>> 1 >>>>> every time but I want to get a battery that >>>>> lasts. >>>>>With all the EMC >>>>> equipment, van lift, I need a great battery. >>>>> >>>>>What kind of battery do >>>>> you recommend? >>>>> >>>>>I've been looking at >>>>> Exide and Diehard. >>>>>And at AGM "absorbed >>>>> glass mat lead-acid chemistry" battery types.Anyone try >>>>> this type of >>>>> battery? >>>>> >>>>>Thanks, >>>>>Derrick W >>>>> >>>>>
