Another #!*@$ Dual Battery Setup *HELP*

[Copasetic]

OK guys I need help with this. I have searched for the last hour and could not come up with anything that helped so here goes. I just installed the dual setup in my K5. I took the only wire that was going to the main battery from the ALT and hooked it up to the ALT stud on the isolator. Then I made sure both batteries are hooked up correctly. My truck will now turn over but will not fire. When I take the ALT wire from the stud on the isolator and hook it back to the main battery it fires. What gives? Here are pics of how it's set up.

 

[nvrenuf]

If I remember correctly, that wire does not feed power from the alt to the battery - it is the main power wire for the alt and the rest of the system. Without it being hooked up the alt has not juice to make more with nor does the ign have a hot source.

 

[RockinChevy]

I have the exact same isolator in the same spot you have and I can't remember but I think you're supposed to have a wire (ignition) going from the fuse block to that #2 stud on the isolator. In the pic, I see nothing hooked up there, maybe that's the ground stud? It's been a year and a half since I did the wiring on mine so my memory's a bit fuzzy.
I can look at it when I get off work tonight and double check if you like.

 

[Copasetic]

I have the exact same isolator in the same spot you have and I can't remember but I think you're supposed to have a wire (ignition) going from the fuse block to that #2 stud on the isolator. In the pic, I see nothing hooked up there, maybe that's the ground stud? It's been a year and a half since I did the wiring on mine so my memory's a bit fuzzy.
I can look at it when I get off work tonight and double check if you like.

That would be great. That #2 stud is not a ground. It's for if I have a Delcotron Alt which the ALT says it's a Delco-Remy. I really can't understand the instructions for it and the web addy that's on it won't work. The reason I took that wire from the ALT going to the main battery is that's the only one I saw that could be feeding juice to charge the battery. If you would jusy let me know how you'rs is hooked up and I'll go from there. Thanks!

 

[4X4HIGH]

You must have a wire going to that small stud that is currently empty. What brand of isolator is that? I have a sure power isolator that looks just like that one and i still have the instructions for it sitting in my tool box. I can give you details when i get home if you need. By the way, that stud i believe is for the "sense wire" which is needed to make the ALT charge.

 

[Copasetic]

You must have a wire going to that small stud that is currently empty. What brand of isolator is that? I have a sure power isolator that looks just like that one and i still have the instructions for it sitting in my tool box. I can give you details when i get home if you need. By the way, that stud i believe is for the "sense wire" which is needed to make the ALT charge.

That sounds kind of right. The instructions for it are kind of vague. It's a Noco brand (off brand I'm assuming). I got it off ebay brand new in the box really cheap. Any and all info I can get to get this thing hooked up right is greatly appreciated.

 

[ryoken]

One day I'll have the truck world converted over to ACR's... Old habits die hard...

 

[4X4HIGH]

Well, i was going to scan the page and post it here but it won't work.

 

[Copasetic]

Well dang Thanks anyways

 

[RockinChevy]

I get out at 9:30 Mountain time but I won't have access to internet once I'm out the door.. I will still look at my isolator, write down the wiring diagram then post it up when I come back to work tomorrow. Sorry to keep you waiting.


If someone beat me to it, then that's cool too.

 

[Copasetic]

No one's beat you to it yet. That's cool about not being able to get to it til tomorrow. I have to go get my front rotors from the shop and put them back on and my yoke is scheduled to be here tomorrow so I'm going to go ahead and take my pinion assembly out and get it ready to take to the shop either before I go to work or on Friday morning. Thanks again!

 

[Copasetic]

Thanks for the replies y'all. I searched for about another 2 hours last night and finally found some good detailed instructions explaining why what goes where. Oh yeah, they had pics to, lol. Turns out I have to buy a connector kit (roughly $20) that adds a "sense" wire to the connector on the back of the alt to connect to the isolator. I may just be able to go to the local RV dealer here and pick one up. I'll call and see first. Thanks again y'all!

 

[RockinChevy]

I just got in. I have the diagram but looks like you got it all covered now.

 

[imiceman44]

Thanks for the replies y'all. I searched for about another 2 hours last night and finally found some good detailed instructions explaining why what goes where. Oh yeah, they had pics to, lol. Turns out I have to buy a connector kit (roughly $20) that adds a "sense" wire to the connector on the back of the alt to connect to the isolator. I may just be able to go to the local RV dealer here and pick one up. I'll call and see first. Thanks again y'all!

I never had to hook up my sense wire to make it work, it's only if your alternator has the connector. The isolator I had said excitator, it was hooked up on my father's 89' van and what it did was send a pulse every once in a while to keep the alternator going.
I had one of those alternators in one of my blazers and all it took was once to shock it with 12 v and it worked for 5 months until I took the power cable off, then I had to do it again, and it ran till i parted it out.
Anyway as long as it works.

 

[4X4HIGH]

You must have the excite wire hooked up if the ALT is a CS ALT which all the later blazers have.

 

[imiceman44]

You must have the excite wire hooked up if the ALT is a CS ALT which all the later blazers have.

Yeah that is the one my father's van had. a CS144 105A

 

[Copasetic]

Speaking of, does anyone know roughly what a stock alt on our trucks puts out? Would it be worth it for me to have it rewound? Or should I just buy a new high output one? I've got a stereo system (1200 watts), 6-100 watt lights, 6-55 watt lights, want to put a good size power inverter in the back eventually, I've got a dual electric fan waiting to go on, going to put a Warn 8274 up front, and will have a Warn M8000 on a hitch mount plate (removable) to go out back. What amp does anyone reccomend I go with? My isolator is rated at 140 amps. Thanks guys!

 

[udy2554]

I have a Warn isolator and the last terminal is labled E. THat terminal is wired to the IGN terminal in my underdash fuse block.(89 Blazer) I believe the stock alternater is 95 amps. I run a Milemarker 8000 winch and a bunch of stereo equip. with no probs. Usually winch without tunes on anyways. I haven't had to winch for long yet, or use any hi output lights while winching. Hope that helps.

 

[BKinzey]

Google CS 140 alternator. There is a lot of info on using this model because they are plentiful and come in a variety of Peak and Constant power options.

 

[imiceman44]

Speaking of, does anyone know roughly what a stock alt on our trucks puts out? Would it be worth it for me to have it rewound? Or should I just buy a new high output one? I've got a stereo system (1200 watts), 6-100 watt lights, 6-55 watt lights, want to put a good size power inverter in the back eventually, I've got a dual electric fan waiting to go on, going to put a Warn 8274 up front, and will have a Warn M8000 on a hitch mount plate (removable) to go out back. What amp does anyone reccomend I go with? My isolator is rated at 140 amps. Thanks guys!

If you have the older 10-SI or most probably 12-SI your max factory would be I think 78A
I got a remanufactured 12-SI that was tweaked to 125A for $125 from Kragen a couple of years ago, that should be enough for your equipement, as long as you don't run ALL of them together for too long
Or you go the route BKinzey suggested and get the later model CS-144 which came stock in 95A and 105A and they can be found in as much as 160A, you will need the brakets from a later model truck with the same engine size or you modify your braket to fit (not worth the time), and you will need the wiring adapter which you can buy, I have seen them for $20.