Can you use a regular charger on an Optima battery?

 

i would assume it would depend on the type of battery it is. i would say wait till someone more knowledgeable on this subject answers.

 

Which model Optima?

For any AGM battery you should not use a basic charger unless you are only charging it up for a few minutes.

The reason is that most standard battery chargers output a set voltage of maybe 15-16v.
After a few minutes this can heat up the plates of an AGM battery.
A proper AGM battery charger will sense battery voltage and if it is really low it will output 15-16v for a few minutes until its near full, then voltage will lower to 13v or so and give a "soft charge" to the battery which is much safer.

 

you need to put it on a trickle charge like a 2 amp setting you will be fine

 

Then would a trickle charge on it be alright? This is not for my HHR-my dealer finally realized that I was not wrong, and the radio I installed was not causing my battery to die only when the temperature was cold.

I need a battery for my project hotrod-a Jeep I am putting a small block Chevy into. But, until I get the new motor in, the 6 cylinder is hard to start so it may kill the battery. I know that my current battery is also bad, since I disconnected both pos and neg, and it was stone dead after a couple of weeks.

 

Yes

 

Then I shall get one. I have to find out the correct size for me-physically to fit in the Jeep, and performance wise to crank a 450 SB.

Next question-what is the difference between the yellow, red, and blue top?

 

They red is primarily a starting batt, yellow is a deep cycle batt, the blue is like a yellow in function, but extreme vibration resistant and marine certified for boats. All will work in your jeep. I'd just get a yellow if it were me. slightly less cranking amps than a red, but more forgiving if you repeatedly drain it down and recharge it.

 

You can put the battery anywhere in the car if you want. But most of them would be a 75/35 d battery. I am using 2 yellow tops in my hhr. But I do have 6 that will be going in when ever I get my money straight to get my system installed. I have 6 10'' 9 amps and 6 set's of comp. What I am using them for now is my air bag's, tv, playstation strobes, neons,gps,camera. What year is the motor you are putting in. The Gm alternator for as long as I know have a bad voltage reg. in side them. I would get a hi out put alternator with a battery cut off switch that should help you out just my 2 cents

 

I have a Vector battery charger that is superb and has a special setting for AGM batteries. They have been taken over by Black and Decker, but the charger line up appears to be identical.