Do I need to charge an AGM battery before using it?

[Guyver 10+ year member]

I'm planning on getting a yellow top optima battery and was wondering do I need to charge the battery first before installing it? Btw, it'll be replacing the main battery up front.

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[Ramrod 10+ year member]

For me if it reads over 12.5v. I just throw it in... If it's below and been sitting for a while I'll charge it up. But I maybe wrong.. I'd like to see some one with better knowledge then me post up.

My Odyssey and XP750 both where shipped resting at 12.8v when I got them..

 

[its10v1 10+ year member]

Anything over 12.4 should get Installed, while under 11.8 should definitely get a charge. Brand new? Should be resting 12.5-12.6 if not better. My red top optima sat at 12.7 sitting on the counter when I bought it.

 

[av83 10+ year member]

Everyone needs to stop telling people that resting voltage is so important. It is not. I see batteries everyday that go on my load tester with 12.5v and the ammeter tanks to nothing when loaded. Let me repeat, for those buying a used battery ESPECIALLY, do not trust the sight of a dmm display showing a decent voltage. Take it to a reputable battery shop that can test out.

 

[Ramrod 10+ year member]

If it's resting at 12.5v and then installed and works fine. No need to have it load tested... Now if you installed it and you problems. Then I would have it loaded tested. You can go to many shops and they can check your full Charging system in Min. Used to work at a garage in my 20's and we did it all the time. Most the time for free.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

If you have a charger, definitely give it a charge overnight.

Why not?

 

[massivespl]

Agm battery resting at 12.4v is at 50% u should charge it until at least 12.7v before putting it in

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

load test at autozone takes 5 mins free.. I dont see why not. I do that to every battery i buy used.

 

[Guyver 10+ year member]

Ok, just asking cuz the optima agm charger isn't cheap. Thanks ya

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

I wouldn't get an Optima. New ones are made in Mexico, and don't last. Too many horror stories on CACO for me to buy one.

Just get a rebadged AGM and cheap float charger. Will work just as good and probably last you longer