different batteries in dual bat setup?

[Lil Poot 5,000+ posts]

i've got a pretty large exide under my hood but its a stock battery. can i hook up my 31 series optima yellow top in the rear without an isolator, or do i need 2 identical or more similar batteries, like a small yellow top up front? the 31 is a bit large to look decent in the stock location without some modification.

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[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

it would be better with an isolator so you can play the stereo with the car off and not kill both, but if you don't want to do that. Don't worry about an isolator.

 

[Lil Poot 5,000+ posts]

i dont want to play the stereo with the car off, other than at very low levels for a few minutes at the most. i just heard that having 2 different sized batteries wasn't something you want to do. besides i dont want the voltage drop that comes with an isolator.

how about 2 types of batteries? a dry cell and a standard car battery?

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

you can mix and match brands, just make sure they are the same style though...AGM, acid, etc...

 

[Lil Poot 5,000+ posts]

you can mix and match brands, just make sure they are the same style though...AGM, acid, etc...

bah i'm using an exide acid battery under the hood and my other is an optima g31a yellow top. can anyone confirm this, this is basically what i've been looking for and havent been able to get a straight answer?

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

i dont want to play the stereo with the car off, other than at very low levels for a few minutes at the most. i just heard that having 2 different sized batteries wasn't something you want to do. besides i dont want the voltage drop that comes with an isolator.
how about 2 types of batteries? a dry cell and a standard car battery?

each battery will stop charging when it's full. The "voltage drop" that you "think" comes with the isolator is like... .06 volts.

bah i'm using an exide acid battery under the hood and my other is an optima g31a yellow top. can anyone confirm this, this is basically what i've been looking for and havent been able to get a straight answer?

You can mix and match, the alt doesn't care.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

just sometimes one battery will charge better than the other if you have a charger and pay attention to it somewhat it usually doesnt become an issue. it is best to have the same type but it doesnt have to be