Thanks.

All Optima's are gell. The different color caps are for Automotive, Starting, and Marine/deep cycle.

Jon

Thanks Jon

Do you REALLY think there is a difference other than the top?

I think that Optima claims they are not gell batteries. They use a spiral wound mat system. Unlike airplane gell batteries.

Do you REALLY think there is a difference other than the top?

I run two Blue tops in my boat. Red top in the race car. My buddy runs the Yellow tops for his stereo system and blue tops for the motor.

more info here http://www.optimabatteries.com/publi...duct_info.html

Me question is because I just bought a new charger for the boat, I have 1 deep cycle LA battery and 2 Blue Top Optima combo deep/starting batteries. My charger is for LA batteries and does not have a switch for Gel's and I don't want to fry anything. Maybe I'll just charge the LA with it and not worry.

I have found the optimas to be very forgiving, however I would not shore charge them at the same time as your LA battery.

Also be careful with maintenance type chargers, it is very important to make sure there is no active circuit like a radio memory circuit when trickle charging. Some chargers will see that small drain as an indication that battery is not fully charged and never cut off.

You do not need a special charger for optimas.

Thanks Wobble! I only plan on charging on shore when I'm at a marina and the tunes are on. The boat sits on the trailer with the fridge and everything else off, no need for it to be plugged in all the time.