Second Battery

EXPLORER04 · July 2, 2008

Has anyone done it. I have an extra yellow top laying around and i am adding an amp to my system so i thought that there is no better time to add a second battery. Anyone have any suggestions on how to go about doing this?

ktford · July 2, 2008

I've created the room but haven't installed it yet, I'm going to spin the original battery 90 degree's and simply sit the 2nd one next to it. This is in my '05, mainly for when we are away 4WDing, it has a 600cc N70 size battery as opposed to the narrower longer factory battery as the factory batt is twice the price down under
Scotty

Gatorblazer · July 2, 2008

On my boat, I wired my two deep cycles in parallel. That gave me more charge storage while maintaining 12v. The only hicup is the charging. I have to hook up two different chargers, each to its own battery. I am not sure that your stock alternator will charge both of your batteries at the same time, and if one is not charged properly it will drain the other in its attempt to be charged.

Confusing? Yup

Also, remember that this is on a boat and just what I did. Others here may have differing opinions.

EXPLORER04 · July 14, 2008

i got the time this weekend and finished the battery install, for the most part is was fairly easy. If anyone needs help with this let me know.

tower · July 14, 2008

Where did you put it?

ktford · July 14, 2008

& where are the pictures, gatorblazers idea could be done easily if one used 6 volt batteries, this gives you a combined 12 volts & huge cranking amps, I did this years back when my streeter had a big block with all the electric trimmings
Scotty

Black92LX · July 14, 2008

EXPLORER04 said:
i got the time this weekend and finished the battery install, for the most part is was fairly easy. If anyone needs help with this let me know.

write up please.

My buddy did it in his Tahoe plenty of room for a second battery.

Had an alternator splitting kit and up graded the battery

m4dc0w · July 14, 2008

Depending on your alternator size, you need to get an isolator that can take that amount of current. They range anywhere from $80-150.

Unless you have a need for the second battery it's not worth the hassle to add it, unless you need it for accessories.

I run 3 sets of aux. lighting and a winch, and have not found a use for a second one yet (really considered it though), I just upgraded the alternator.

EXPLORER04 · July 15, 2008

i put it right behind the coolant tank, it fit perfectly. Ill have a pic in a few minutes.

EXPLORER04 · July 15, 2008

heres one of the images before the wiring:

ktford · July 15, 2008

its a very pretty battery
Scotty

Donner · October 12, 2008

Sooo... How is this connected? Is it grounded, what's the story? Thanks!

JCUZ · October 12, 2008

Donner said:
Sooo... How is this connected? Is it grounded, what's the story? Thanks!

I thought about a second battery as well, but instead went for a 12V jumper pack thing - it charges off the cigarette lighter, or mains (240V in Oz). Was around $70 delivered from eBay, and is that same brand found in a few of the local auto stores. I will ensure that it is fully charged before hitting the trails - I'm going to install a cigarette lighter socket in the cargo area for the express purpose of hooking this thing up.

So, how is this different/better to a second battery? It's around 1/6th the price of a twin battery setup, is portable, and I can obviously use it to jump start the truck. (ie no second battery required).

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-4X4-Batt...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262 (You should be able to get similar on US eBay - bet some of you didn't know there was more than one eBay!!!)

Donner · October 12, 2008

I keep one of those too, but I need the 2nd battery also... (those chargers are the best!)

03exploder · October 12, 2008

m4dc0w said:
Depending on your alternator size, you need to get an isolator that can take that amount of current. They range anywhere from $80-150.

The dual battery set up is used all the time in pick-ups. I agree, once you find the spot to put the battery then get yourself a battery isolator kit and wire it up.

Donner · October 12, 2008

Thank you! Would it be hooked up just like the first battery? Grounded and all? I don't think I've see an isolator before, not sure. My goal is too get all those wires off my main battery, and use it for powering the vehicle only. All accessories to the 2nd battery.. except the audio - stays on primary battery.

03exploder · October 12, 2008

Battery isolators can be set up in diferent ways. Here is a link to what JC Whitney has on them. http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Search?catalogId=10101&storeId=10101&sku=battery+isolator

CAHUNTERMAN · October 12, 2008

Isolators are ok but you loose a little voltage through the diodes from the charge line so your batteries won't get a complete charge. I prefer to use a solenoid that connects the two batteries together while the vehicle is running and when the vehicle is not running the batteries are isolated. I have used this setup in several vehicles and it works very well as long as both batteries are in good condition. I use the second battery for all extra lights, CB, winch ETC. That way I can use any of the accessories without the vehicle running and if that battery gets low the vehicle will still start with it's primary battery. It's not a bad idea to upgrade the alternator with this set-up also. If there is a legitimate need for two batteries then most likely there have been more accessories added than the stock alternator can keep up with.

Donner · October 12, 2008

That's what I have, accessories, and a few more to add (mostly lights). But what is the set up? Is the negative cable added and grounded just like the primary battery? Where is the pos connected to?

Link for the solenoid? Thanks!

CAHUNTERMAN · October 12, 2008

Donner said:
That's what I have, accessories, and a few more to add (mostly lights). But what is the set up? Is the negative cable added and grounded just like the primary battery? Where is the pos connected to?

Link for the solenoid? Thanks!

Here's one that I found doing a Google search. I get mine from my local auto parts supply and I ask for one that can handle at least 300 amps. I'm not sure what the one in this link is rated for but you can get the idea what it is.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-converters/dual-battery-switch-rv.htm

Here's a link to how it's connected. They show 10 AWG wire going to the solenoid but for mine that are rated for 300 amps I used 4 AWG battery cable wire.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-converters/Battery Switch 871 RevEpdf2.pdf

The grounds all go to the vehicle chassis. The positives go to eack side of the solenoid. I connected all my accessory cables to the side of the solenoid that goes to the second battery.

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