Optima Battery Question

[LODFFB]

I think my Optima is Goofy. I had it hookes up with a reg car battery to get double the capicaty and today I charged them up,but after I had the charger off for about half an hour my lights were dim so I checked out both batteries and my Optima wouldent turn the lights on. But It read 11.whatever volts I think I'll just exchange it its only been 3 mths.

[slammer]

Is your optima a deep cycle? Car battery may have drained it too fast if it is deep cycle.

[LODFFB]

Yes it is. I didnt think having a reg battery would kill the Deep Cycle. I had them in Parellel I'll try charging the Optima alone and then see what happens. I am eventully going to get a 2nd Optima but dont have the $ yet.

[walterking]

you want to make sure you are charging the deep cycle optima with a 10 amp charger anyhting else will not charge it properly because i work for interstate and that is the biggest problem people have with these in there fish houses i have two in my ice castle and i can run 3 days solid with out charging them no problem just my 2 cents

[jgeatz]

I might be wrong, but the optima should be charged seperate because of the two different styles of battery, one gell, one wet. I even bought a new charger for the optima.

[LODFFB]

That could be my Porblem. I have a solar charger and it never seems to charge them. I think I will dump the car battery and just use the Optima. whats the trick w/ 10 amps? I have a new charger and at 10 amps it cycles in automatic mode. I'm rigging up a 12V quick connects w/ jumper cables is that O K?

[walterking]

i would dump the car battery just run off the optima solely the deal with the 10 amp is because it is a gell cell battery anything under 10 just doent send enough juice 1 optima should be more than enough for a days fishing no matter what you are running instead of buying another battery spend $70 on a good 10 amp charger and all your problems will be solved napa has a great charger for these that has a special setting for the gel and deep cycle batteries good luck