Auxillery Battery Question

[amg_562]

So I was working on my truck in the driveway of my house and I had my radio on and I was tinkering around with the lights and stuff trying to get them straight. As I get back in to start the truck, no start. The battery died.

So my question is, am I able to install a separate battery in the back of the truck that will just run the radio when the truck is off and parked and not pull anything from the battery that starts the truck? Just in case I go to the swap meet or the park and and forget to start the truck to recharge the battery. And also have it charge while I'm driving?

Any input on if this is possible and how to would be cool

Thanks,
AMG

[crossfire84]

yes if you put in an isolator.

[Tron Man]

To have a seperate battery to power your radio, and not discharge your starter battery requires a isolation setup. Isolation can be done with a relay or isolator, but a isolator setup is expensive if you just want play a radio. I would consider a aux battery wired in parallel with your starter battery. If you want to isolate your aux battery, I would pick up the book Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems by Tony Candella. Chapter 8 has a good section on parallel batteries and isolation. Hope this helps.

Tron Man,
Reno, Nevada

[Andy4639]

There are several ways to do this. I suggest you read up on it before doing this though. Make sure you under stand the wiring schematic's before you do anything.
These I pulled off Google, there are plenty more to look at though!
It depends on how you want it wired.

[jjzepplin]

I ram mine to an isolator and use the extra battery for trailer brakes - electric fans - and eventually my radio.
I also ran a solenoid to give my truck both batteries when starting.
No switches-no worries. Both are deep cycle batteries.