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Backup batteries?

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City, State
Coppell, Texas
Year, Model & Trim Level
2005 VW Touareg
Would it be possible to wire up a 2nd battery so I could flip a swtich and activate it if my primary battery died? If so could the alternator re-charge it, and where would be a good mounting place?
 



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i have the same idea to install a 2nd battery , have the room for it here
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took the 3rd row seat out , there is a ton of room left where the 3rd row foot well is . also want to install a 3000w inverter to run my converted air compressor and some other goodies .
i was told it would be legal to mount the battery inside as long as it was in a batt box . haven't been able to find a diagram to do what i want . it would be a good idea to use a deep cycle battery for your back-up , since it will be isolated. the only advantage of an optima battery is that you can mount it on it's side , because it's a dry cell and it can take extreme abuse , they also cost about $200 .
 






You will probably run into problems if you plan on using it to start the car, my brother has a yellow top optima in his truck box(ranger) that is wired to the cars electrical system. it starts fine hooked up under the hood, but it wont start when connected in the back, something to do with the cables being to long.
 






yes, it is possible - with one small exception.

First - you'll need an ISOLATOR (look up battery isolator) - this dvice goes between your alternator and your two batteries - it will keep them both charged, and also keep them from damaging eachother, which is possible if they're wired in parallel, and one of them happens to go bad.

Second, you'll need a switching mechanism - is your backup capacity to be used for accessories, or for starting?

Third, I've looked into it, and you could actually fit a standard battery, as well as a honda civic sized battery in the same spot we have a single battery, but the problem is that the battery tray would need to be removed and replaced with somethin custom.... thus the reason I haven't done so.

now, the caveat -

Unless you're willing to run some MAJOR wire form the second battery location to the front of the vehicle, starting form that battery will be challenging. While it SHOULD be OK if you have something the size of a jumper cable, my personal preference would be to run a cable capable of handling the full load of the starter and engine for a period of time. Switching will also be challenging, as if you want a remote switch (say, in the dashboard), you need to find a way to DISCONNECT the first battery when the second battery is being used. in theory, you could use a set of solenoids, but it would take some careful plannin and space under the hood for that system. The isolator won't handle this part - it only handles charging.

I've been wanting an auxillary battery for quite some time, but without anyone locally to weld up a battery tray to fit where the current tray is (or time to be without the vehicle while i mess aroudn with pulling the existing tray to use as a template), it's been on hold for over 3 years.....

I'm sure others will chime in, but if you're willing to buy the parts and find places to put them, i'm happy to help with the "how"....
 






a cupla guys on here have done the second batt thing, some in the rear some under the hood, id take a look at what they have done and "borrow" some ideas!
 






Thanks for all the replys and info guys! Also I will be using the battery as a back-up, not for an auxiliary power source, and I like the idea with the civic battery under the normal one with the custom mount. I will take a look at the isolator, and how it could be wired. Thanks again everyone!
 






heres is what i did

and this is the isolator that i used


It was very easy to hookup. took me about two hours from start to finish. The isolator is also very easy to hookup. All you need is a wire from each positive terminal, a ground, and a true ignition source. You can also install a switch to turn the isolator on and off.
 






that's a nice setup, does your automatically select the battery with the most power or is it switch operated?
 






that's a nice setup, does your automatically select the battery with the most power or is it switch operated?

Its kinda both, yes the isolator selects the battery automatically but i also installed a switch. The only reason i put the switch in is because when you turn the engine off the ACC remains on till a door is opened. Other than that you do not need a switch. Real easy to hook up and the isolator is very small so you wont have any trouble mounting it. The optima yellowtop was the only battery i could find to fit in the spot i put it, plus its a deep cell battery so it lasts a very long time.
 






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