Optima Red Tops
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Optima Red Tops
I was wondering if I could get by with wiring one brand new optima red top with another relatively same age red top using parallel wiring? I went ahead and bought a stinger 200 amp relay just in case though.
Thanks Jason
Thanks Jason
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Oconomowoc
Optima Red Tops
I have 2 Yellow top Optimas in my Jeep (sig line), I'm running a Warn 8274 winch off of them. They are wired parallel and they work great (3yrs now), I chose not to run an isolator relay because of the amp draw..... I'd smoke the relay. It just depends on yer application, and what yer doing with the batt.s.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 435
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From: Central Oregon
Optima Red Tops
It's not really a safety issue, but rather that the newer "better" battery very quickly takes on the same deficiencies of the older less "good" battery, so you potentially wind up with two that aren't up to par. Steve
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Optima Red Tops
I have wired up 12v gel cells in parallel for years, and I dont replace them all at once. It has been my experience that a weaker battery will draw the others down to its level, but once removed the remaining batteries will recover to the next lowest level. If your at rest voltage (after about 12 hours off a charge) is around 13V then it is in good shape. You will notice that in parallel your internal resistance will be 1/2 and your battery charger will have to work harder to get a full charge. LOL !
