Brand new battery...charge before first use?

[InvalidUserID]

I just picked up a new battery (load test determined my old Red Top was still OK) but I found a deal on a new Red Top for a pretty good price and picked it up.

I seem to remember that new batteries aren't full charged yet so would it be OK to hook up the new Red Top to my charger before I install it tomorrow? If so, any reason not to go 15A vs just 2A trickle?

 

[DieselTech]

Put it in fire it up and let the Alt top it off. It's not going to hurt anything

 

[javacontour]

Yes!

Something I learned was to fully charge a battery before installing it, if you can.

Why?

Because a discharged battery MAY put a pretty decent load on the alternator. So I learned that when you replace an alternator, it's a good idea to charge the battery before you put everything back together. That way, you don't toast the new alternator immediately.

It's a good idea to test any new part just as you'd test the old one before you leave. So if you buy a new battery, have it load tested just like the old one. That tells you two things. Does the running the test do the same things to both batteries? Does he/she get a better/different result with the new battery.

Ditto for alternators, starters, etc. Test before you walk out of the store with it.

 

[JHZR2]

Alternators are not designed to charge the battery, just to top it up. I'd charge it at a very low rate, and then install it.

 

[qship1996]

Measure its voltage....let that be your guide to whether it needs a charge or not- agm should be 12.65 volts or higher

 

[InvalidUserID]

It's measuring right now at 12.58 so I'll just 2A trickle it until the charger says its full. It has a date of 12/09 so it's still pretty fresh.

By the way, my Schumacher charger has different battery choices: standard, AGM & deep cycle. How does the charger charge differently with these choices?

 

[Eddie]

I always slow charge a new battery.

 

[qship1996]

Originally Posted By: InvalidUserID
It's measuring right now at 12.58 so I'll just 2A trickle it until the charger says its full. It has a date of 12/09 so it's still pretty fresh.

By the way, my Schumacher charger has different battery choices: standard, AGM & deep cycle. How does the charger charge differently with these choices?


AGM setting charges at a slightly higher voltage designed for agm battery needs- my Ctek charger does the same thing.

 

[dime]

car batteries aren't too picky anymore but on the older style batteries like my motorcycle and 4-wheeler they have to be fully charged before use.

i bought a new battery for my motorcycle and push started the bike and let the bike charge the battery and it never has held a full charge.

so yes its always a good idea to charge any battery before use.

 

[Chris142]

I always trickle charge a new one just because. I also do it a few times a year because I have a short commute.

My battery charger also has different settings for different types of batteries. The Optima site siad to charge it as a regular battery and not Gell or AGM setting.

 

[eljefino]

MC batteries where you add the acid are completely different. Instructions packed with them say they need charging. That's ok by me so I don't get a stale one off the shelf. Car drivers are too impatient so the batteries get bulk charged and are sold wet.

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: qship1996
Measure its voltage....let that be your guide to whether it needs a charge or not- agm should be 12.65 volts or higher


+1

I don't charge a battery unless it needs it. My old Optima Red top has been sitting on the floor in storage for 3 years and still is over 11.5 volts. I don't recall I've purchased a new battery that has needed a charging, but I always check it to be sure.

 

[mechtech2]

Always charge a new battery if you can.
Nice and easy trickle, not full bore 30 amps!

 

[daman]

Yes,yes always charge a new batt before putting into service,a nice sloooow charge 2A and less.

 

[postjeeprcr]

So what voltage is consdered fully charged?

 

[daman]

Fresh off the charger around 13v, then may settle back some 12v+ with sitting.

 

[Durango]

Invaliduser,

Since it's raining you can afford to charge it overnight and install it tomorrow in the morning. take it for a nice drive to continue the charge and you should be ready to go. No battery is perfectly charged in the real world.

Durango

 

[Cutehumor]

I just look at the date code of the battery, pick the freshest one. install it and I'm good to go.

 

[onion]

It's probably good for the battery... a trickle charge certainly won't hurt. But as long as the new battery has enough charge to easily start the engine, then it really isn't necessary to trickle-charge.

 

[JimPghPA]

bigmike, Re your post of "I don't charge a battery unless it needs it. My old Optima Red top has been sitting on the floor in storage for 3 years and still is over 11.5 volts. I don't recall I've purchased a new battery that has needed a charging, but I always check it to be sure."[/quote]


11.5 Volts only indicates that the battery probably would still be usable if you charged it. At 11.5 Volts it might be close to completely discharged. I would put a charge on it after 3 years just to reduce the probability of it being stored with a very low amount of charge on it.

It would be interesting to put a 12 volt tail-light bulb on it as it is now (before charging it) and time it, to see how many Amp-Hours it has still available before you put a charge on it.