What was the setup used stock for the dual batteries? I just got a dual tray and would like to add a second battery. Were stock run as isolator? I would like to use the second battery as a backup and for running lights and winch.
CK5
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stock dual batteries oon 73-78
- Thread starter wazzabie
- Start date
7387chevynut
Registered Member
Since I got my 90 K5 blazer, I thought about doing the same thing. Just to have additional power, but having not done any research yet, I am not sure how to proceed myself.
Stock offered a relay (solenoid, whatever) isolator as an option, prolly mostly on gas trucks, but on diesels IIRC the two batteries were just paralleled together.
In any event, you have a bazillion options depending on what you want to do.
If you're wanting to use the second battery just for extra starting power and the motor will always be running, wire 'em up, no need for isolation.
If you want to run lights or stereo or fridge or a winch or whatever with the motor off, then you need an isolator to keep from draining the main battery.
On my crewcab, for instance, I just paralleled the batteries 'cuz it's a big motor to start, but I only use electrical stuff when it's running.
On my Blazer, the winch and lights and whathaveyou run off the second battery as an auxiliary, so it's isolated from the primary side. In my particular case I used a solenoid; I like simple and I have a fairly high-output alternator so it was cheaper than e.g. a high-current diode type. You could just as well use any of the higher-tech solutions like the diode or ACR isolators.
Note that I'm side-stepping the discussion over alternator output, but that should be taken into account as well -- you gotta recharge the batteries somehow.
-- A
In any event, you have a bazillion options depending on what you want to do.
If you're wanting to use the second battery just for extra starting power and the motor will always be running, wire 'em up, no need for isolation.
If you want to run lights or stereo or fridge or a winch or whatever with the motor off, then you need an isolator to keep from draining the main battery.
On my crewcab, for instance, I just paralleled the batteries 'cuz it's a big motor to start, but I only use electrical stuff when it's running.
On my Blazer, the winch and lights and whathaveyou run off the second battery as an auxiliary, so it's isolated from the primary side. In my particular case I used a solenoid; I like simple and I have a fairly high-output alternator so it was cheaper than e.g. a high-current diode type. You could just as well use any of the higher-tech solutions like the diode or ACR isolators.
Note that I'm side-stepping the discussion over alternator output, but that should be taken into account as well -- you gotta recharge the batteries somehow.
-- A
Would someone share some pics of the stock setup for a dual battery on a gas?
