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dual battery set-up

H

Hannibal

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I run a 140amp alternator and have 2 batteries hooked up through a solonoid. It just don't seem to charge right. Any ideas on best way to run dual batteries?
 
Many people will just hook them together parallel (pos to pos, neg to neg). Below is a diagram I made of how I will hook mine up. I will have one main battery and a bank of three batteries as the "secondary" battery. When the ignition is turned on the batteries will be connected and both will start the vehicle and both will charge. When you turn the key off the batteries will disconnect from each other and the secondary battery will be isolated from the vehicle so it won't/can't discharge. I can use the secondary battery to jump start the primary if I have to. You will need to use a "hot through start" ignition source to the solenoid, and the manual switch is for jump starting yourself.

diagram.jpg
 
Hmm, I just installed a dual battery on my K5 using Painless battery separator.
I like a lot. It saved me once. What I like about this kit is that it allows me to choose whether to use two batteries ( primary and secondary) or just one battery (primary). The circuitry is designed so that when the vehicle is running, it automatically charges both batteries, and when its not running, it automatically disconnects the secondary battery. This way if you have draw somewhere from your electrical accessories, it won't drain both of your battery. The secondary battery is isolated. However there is a manual override switch where you can toggle between single to dual battery operation. The idea is, winch all you can on the primary battery, and if you completely drain your primary battery, you can always switch to the secondary. Never winch on both batteries unless you really have to and if the load requires more amps to get you out of the rut. Enjoy.

If you have a minute, check out my winch and dual battery project.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/246000292/292913072PTEGMS
http://community.webshots.com/photo/246000292/292913121UKGxlY
http://community.webshots.com/photo/246000292/292913158GlwysN
http://community.webshots.com/photo/246000292/292913198rktQBb
http://community.webshots.com/photo/246000292/292913247fxVXgD
http://community.webshots.com/photo/246000292/292913293ZaLvIX
http://community.webshots.com/photo/246000292/292913330oUSXXA
 
How about a marine dual battery switch? It lets you manually pic one, or both batteries and you can turn them both "off" if you park for a while.

battery-switches-p50678.jpg
 
A 140A alt is more then enough to keep 2 batteries charged. Sounds like you have a charging circuit problem, or an excessive drain somewhere.
 
I agree, I'm gonna hook-up a volt or ammeter to see if draws from an accessory somewhere, and of-course clean every dang connection.
 
my experience is you need to use the same batteries on both sides, because the charging rates are different.
 
garlicbreath said:
How about a marine dual battery switch? It lets you manually pic one, or both batteries and you can turn them both "off" if you park for a while.
Click to expand...

what he said... wouldn't that work? personally, I don't want all kinds of whizbang capabilities and nifty bling bling features I'll never use, off/1/2/1+2 is plenty of adjustability for me. Anyone use a marine switch like that?

I was thinking of something like this...

56936.jpg


it has a 350 amp continuous rating... or if thats over kill, they have a cool keyed one that can handle 250a cont...

20211.jpg


j
 
Hannibal said:
I run a 140amp alternator and have 2 batteries hooked up through a solonoid. It just don't seem to charge right. Any ideas on best way to run dual batteries?
Click to expand...

I also have a 140 amp alt and I run 3 optima yellow tops. I used a battery isolator which keeps all three batterys seperate. I run one for start up and stock acc., one for exterior power ( like lights, air horns, anything add on under the hood or a winch), and one for my stereo system so I can run it dead and not worry about starting the rig. Plus it allows me to jump start myself by connecting the posts on the isolator. Just another option. I think I paid around $130 for the isolator from JC Whitney. and like mentioned earlier, you should run the same type of battery so they don't discharge each other or over charge.
 
seschev3 said:
I also have a 140 amp alt and I run 3 optima yellow tops. I used a battery isolator which keeps all three batterys seperate. I run one for start up and stock acc., one for exterior power ( like lights, air horns, anything add on under the hood or a winch), and one for my stereo system so I can run it dead and not worry about starting the rig. Plus it allows me to jump start myself by connecting the posts on the isolator. Just another option. I think I paid around $130 for the isolator from JC Whitney. and like mentioned earlier, you should run the same type of battery so they don't discharge each other or over charge.
Click to expand...

If you keep all 3 seperate, how do you charge them?
 
sweet set up!! what is the relay u are using? How do u like the set up?
 
I got the Painless Wiring 250 amp kit. Still got to mount the switch. I plan to upgrade the battery cables with heavier gauge and shorten them too. those are all 2 gauge and should work fine though
 
it looks like u have a starter solenoid at the bottom of the innner fender?

how much was the kit?
 
It is an isolator which is basically huge diodes. So the batterries are seperated but all charge from the alternator. There are no relays necessary.
I used to run the solonoids like some of you others are running when I ran 2 batts. But with 3 I needed to go with an isolator set up.
 
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