Dual Batteries

[Craigerz]

Just got an isolator fuses wires and what not to install a second battery in the back to run a cooler, 750 watt inverter, and hard wire my compressor to. I got the 200 amp solenoid type and 4awg wire. I already have a 200 amp alt on it.

I had an idea to run the ignition on off wires from the ARC control switch in the back by the jack. This would give me 12v power with the ignition on. So my series of questions is as follows.

1. Is that too far from the battery and alt to put the solenoid? Should it be located closer like under the hood. The reason being is I would like to be able to turn the solenoid on off if I don't want the rear battery charging. I have a 175 watt solar panel that will also be a charging source, and also a generator on the trailer. Plus a battery tender for days it's in the driveway.

2. Is there power going to that switch only when the ignition is turned on?

3. I unplugged the part under the dash that made my control center give the check Air Ride all the time. Will that have to be plugged back in to supply the on/off switch in the rear with power? And in turn have to deal with the air ride error message?

Any ideas would be awesome before I start cutting wires this weekend.

 

[CDW6212R]

The ARC switch in the rear has power full time. I don't think that power is affected by the dash ATRC module, those two connectors. I think they get power out of the dash. I don't recall the gauge of wire that rear ARC switch gets, I don't remember if the ARC compressor gets power from the switch, or the dash etc.

Do you still have any of those ARC parts besides the wiring in the truck? I got another 98 Limited a while back, and the compressor they removed along with changing the shocks. I'd like to find a spare compressor, and the rear height sensor(the bracket mainly). Do you have any of that, I haven't scrounged at a local JY yet, too busy.

The solenoid you want to use, it can go anywhere that's convenient along the path of power you are controlling. Under the hood is just a common choice, the closer it is to the main power source, the safer it is by limiting the uncontrolled power, to the distance between the source and the solenoid.

 

[Craigerz]

No mine had a leak in the shocks and the compressor just ran and ran until it gave up.

I think I do have the bracket on the rear end but I took the sensor off.

 

[CDW6212R]

If you get a chance, check out that bracket. The weak link is the ball joint on the ends of that, corrosion eats them away. Mine on my 99 I saved, they looked ugly but weren't worn much at all. It's tough to get under there and lubricate those with anti-seize regularly. If your look usable, I could use them as a spare.

 

[Craigerz]

I will check it out when I get home. I was just under there this weekend looking for stuff to clean up from the old lines and that was one of them. IIRC it was in pretty perfect shape.

 

[Craigerz]

My phone doesn’t take very good picture. Plus it’s raining and I melt.

 

[CDW6212R]

That looks good, I think there are two "arms" that connect to the diff, and the body, with the sensor on one etc. It's been ages since I looked at mine also.