Optima Battery Question?

I have 2 blue Optimas about 3 years old and one has decided to not hold a charge well.It seems to charge but it drops off realatively fast.What do I do? Does it hurt to use 2 different batteries(24v system)? I really dont want to buy another blue cause I dont think there worth the money but the other is fine and hate not to use it. Do these type of batteries need to drain all the way down or just top off with charge? Also, I have them hooked up parallel in my Lund,does one discharge first then moves on to the next or do they discharge when being used simutaneously? Thanks all.

they should discharge simultaneously! I have used them in the past as well with the same results! short lived! I had one die and the other was still good! so i did just what your asking and didnt have any problems! only thing was is the trolling time was less than if you had 2 new batteries but will still work!
good luck!

I assume you mean series for 24V if you use different batteries together you basicly only get the perforance of the worst one.

Yes I mean in series,sorry.

Suprised on people’s results with the Optima’s. Had nothing but good luck with them. Excellent power, lighter than wet cell, can take a pounding in marine application, and super fast charging. I always struggle with people’s reports on batteries as I know many of my fellow fisherfriends do not follow proper battery care procedures and are complaining regardless of what battery they run. As for matching the batteries I have heard that, but not necessarily sure I agree. Currently running 2-2yr old optima’s along with a brand new one on my 36V trolling motor. Time will tell if this is an issue.

Replace the bad one and continue on. I do believe your performance will be based on the weakest battery and the weaker battery will suck some of the life out of the fresher one. But that is a recollection going back many years. I knew a guy that engineered lead/acid betteries and I believe that is where I learned that.
Hate to turn this into a bash optima post, but I had two blue-tops go bad after only two seasons. Same thing wouldn’t hold a charge.
Love the convenience see how long the replacements last.