Are OPTIMA Batteries Lead Acid?
Tips & Support
- Sponsor
- OPTIMA Batteries
- Location
- Glendale, WI
There have always been questions about whether or not OPTIMA Batteries are lead acid batteries, even before OPTIMA debuted their lithium motorcycle batteries and lithium marine and RV batteries. Some of the confusion comes from the fact that the lead-acid technology used in OPTIMA REDTOP, YELLOWTOP and BLUETOP batteries is known as "Absorbed Glass Mat" technology. Nowhere in that name or the "AGM" abbreviation is there any suggestion that there is lead acid technology is directly involved.
However, the reality is that "AGM" indicates the electrolyte (acid) is absorbed into fiberglass matting in between the lead plates. So the answer is that OPTIMA Batteries (at least the REDTOPs, YELLOWTOPs and BLUETOPs) are most definitely lead-acid batteries. So what does that mean for the average consumer? If you're looking to charge an OPTIMA REDTOP, YELLOWTOP or BLUETOP battery, most battery chargers will work just fine. We do suggest avoiding "gel" or confusing "gel/AGM" charger settings, as those specific settings may not fully-charge non-gel batteries and could damage them over time.
In those instances, when you have a choice of battery charger setting, using an AGM-specific setting is ideal, but regular or deep-cycle settings should also work fine. If you're not settled on a charger yet, but know that you need one, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that OPTIMA offers a full line of battery chargers and maintainers, that can charge all 12-volt lead-acid, AGM and lithium batteries.
However, the reality is that "AGM" indicates the electrolyte (acid) is absorbed into fiberglass matting in between the lead plates. So the answer is that OPTIMA Batteries (at least the REDTOPs, YELLOWTOPs and BLUETOPs) are most definitely lead-acid batteries. So what does that mean for the average consumer? If you're looking to charge an OPTIMA REDTOP, YELLOWTOP or BLUETOP battery, most battery chargers will work just fine. We do suggest avoiding "gel" or confusing "gel/AGM" charger settings, as those specific settings may not fully-charge non-gel batteries and could damage them over time.
In those instances, when you have a choice of battery charger setting, using an AGM-specific setting is ideal, but regular or deep-cycle settings should also work fine. If you're not settled on a charger yet, but know that you need one, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that OPTIMA offers a full line of battery chargers and maintainers, that can charge all 12-volt lead-acid, AGM and lithium batteries.