chevyman562
Registered Member
If I am installing a dual battery system, does it matter if both batteries are the same? The truck came with a yellow top optima, but I plan on using a Costco battery I have sitting around for the other one.
CK5
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Dual battery question
- Thread starter chevyman562
- Start date
Supposedly they must be "matched" for best results...its claimed a larger battery might draw juice from the smaller one,or take more charge,etc--
However,in my diesel pickup,I have two Duralast batteries ,one "gold" and one "regular" and one is slightly bigger than the other,and I have never seen it any issue,and both have been in it 10+ years and they looked well used when I got the truck!..in a perfect world I'd say buy two identical batteries,but who can afford that nowadays?..
However,in my diesel pickup,I have two Duralast batteries ,one "gold" and one "regular" and one is slightly bigger than the other,and I have never seen it any issue,and both have been in it 10+ years and they looked well used when I got the truck!..in a perfect world I'd say buy two identical batteries,but who can afford that nowadays?..
as long as they load test ok, it works fine.. where the problem comes into play, is when 1 starts to sh*t the bed, it'll bring the other one with it....
thus why putting a 3 yr old bat with a 1 yr old will work, but may eat one prematurely in the end...
thus why putting a 3 yr old bat with a 1 yr old will work, but may eat one prematurely in the end...
NickeyNova
Registered Member
From what I understand. If you are using a isolater, battery size amps, or such dosent matter. I am using one without a problem. If you are running them parrel or in series they need to be the same, amps, age. Hope that helps
chevyman562
Registered Member
I will be using an isolator.
NickeyNova
Registered Member
Your tellow top, would be for your accessories. The other would be to start your vehicle. They don't have to be the same.
I agree. I would only worry about matching batteries in a straight parallel or series setup.
yup, it's fine with a diode isolator or ACR... should have said that was in use... 
badmix
1/2 ton status
yup, it's fine with a diode isolator or ACR... should have said that was in use...
Yip ^^^^, the system I use is a "Hellroaring" one, its an isolator that treats my 2nd battery as a back up only. Both batts get charged but if there is a draw in the system, itll only effect main battery, I can flip a switch and COMBINE the batteries for winching or if the main battery is dead, I flip a switch and jump off the aux battery. Pretty neat setup and its been going strong for years.
I recommend an ACR over a diode isolator, so you don't get the voltage drop. This is the one I used - http://www.hodgesmarine.com/Blue-Sea-7611-Dc-Batterylink-Trade-Automatic-Ch-p/blu7611.htm?click=19
a bit pricier than a Diode isolator, but worth it I think. The previous owner had a dual battery and diode isolator setup. I knew the marine battery needed replacing, but before I could do it, it crapped the bed and took the main battery and alternator with it. I believe if this were to happen with an ACR it would have saved the rest of the system.
a bit pricier than a Diode isolator, but worth it I think. The previous owner had a dual battery and diode isolator setup. I knew the marine battery needed replacing, but before I could do it, it crapped the bed and took the main battery and alternator with it. I believe if this were to happen with an ACR it would have saved the rest of the system.
you musta been finding google hit's for me from this forum, I've been hawking ACR's for nearly a decade in here... 
