Dual Batteries

[bubbastrick]

Hi Guys:

I would like to hook up two batteries on my truck. I would like to run one for starting the truck and the other electrical needs, and a second one to use to extend the amount of time that I can use my radio without starting the truck.
The problem I am having is that I have a 2 hour gap between classes at college, and I end up spending alot of time sitting in my truck listening to the radio. Here lately I have had to get a jump in order to get home, and that sucks. All I would need to run off the second battery is the radio and amplifier. My question is how do I get my alternator to charge both batteries?

Any info will be appreciated!


Thanks:

James

[68 Suburban]

You need to get an isolator. It is pretty straight forward. The alt runs to the isolator, and the isolator branches off to the 2 batteries. You can find them on ebay for a decent price.

[RON WOODGEARD]

You can buy an "ISOLATER" or you can set up a "HORSE TRAILER SELENOID" There is many ways to run the selanoid but the easiest is to have it run off of the ignition switch. When the switch is on you are charging the aux. battery, when the ignition switch is off the battery is "ISOLATED" from the rest of the system. And of course your radio/stereo system is hooked through the side of the AUX. battery.
I like this way better then a ISOLATER, because #1 it's cheaper #2 it's more reliable. I have had the isolaters go bad, but never lost one of these selenoids. But you will have to find an experienced counter person or go to a trailer parts sales place to buy the selenoid. Most of the guys at the auto parts stores will look at you like you've lost it whan you mention a "TRAILER SELENOID". And if you want to get fancy, you can hook the selenoid up through a toggle switched system and also have it to use as a "BACKUP" starter battery.
I ran this set up on my off road truck.

SUBURBAN,,
Did they ever really find out if it was the DINGO?? Last I heard they still were'nt sure.


RON

[bubbastrick]

Would you happen to know a link to a diagram 9of that setup?

[RON WOODGEARD]

I'll have to draw it up, do you want the simple one or the more complex one?

RON

[racedvl]

.

[68 Suburban]

SUBURBAN,,
Did they ever really find out if it was the DINGO?? Last I heard they still were'nt sure.

Ron, I have heard so many stories about the supposed dingo that ate the baby. Some were saying that the dingo was blaimed to cover up a murder by the parents.

I think it is one of those urban legends.

dingoes by nature have a flight rather than bite mentallity.

If one dingo did really eat a baby, all I have to say is, how many pits have eaten babies in the US?

[bubbastrick]

Ron,
if yours is different than the one that was posted then post it also.

Suburban,
What?

[Hooter]

Hooking up the soleniod is very simple. There are three posts on a typical solenoid. The post in the middle should have power going to it when the ignition is on. One side of the solenoid goes to battery A and the other side of the solenoid goes to Battery B. Use thick wire 10-12 guage should be adequate. Crimp the ends and put wire looms on the wires to make everything look neat. I did this on the dual battery set-up in my 69. The orignal wiring sucked so did what i describeed. I have the stereo tied into the battery on the left hand side. I have the stereo hooked directly up to the battery so I don't have to turn the key on to turn the stereo on, draining the primary battery

[RON WOODGEARD]

68 BURB,

Back when it happened, I followed it relatively close. I remember they convicted the FATHER and MOTHER of murder, saying there was no other alternate evidence..
But then I remember a tv SPECIAL on the incedent a few years later that said a couple of years down the road they did find a shirt or jacket of the infants. It also seems if memory recollects, that the jacket had some form of evidence that made the DINGO theory POSSIBLE. I don't remember if it was DNA tested, but I do remember it had DINGO hair and saliva on the piece of clothing.

Now you've got my "INQUIRING MIND WANTS TO KNOW" going....

Wonder where on this internet thing I can find more info.


GO TO WWW.STRAIGHTDOPE.COM/COLUMNS/000922.HTML

I found something there.


BUBBASTICK,
This is a MURDER/or DOG DINNER, kidnapping that happened in AUSTRALIA quite a few years ago, In an open area that (I forgot the name of the rock) is frequented by the locals tourist. It is some form of a VERY LARGE ritualistic rock that is a natural landmark in their country. A INFANT, came up missing, the body was NEVER recovered. The MOTHER to the boy said there was an unusual amount of DINGO's (AUSTRALIA's wild dog) in the area, and it was after the dogs went through that the INFANT GIRL could not be found. As BURB, stated, The locals believed the parents killed the boy attempting to focus the blame on the DINGO. But then a few years later, another tourist found I believe a jacket that belonged to the GIRL, It was found out away from the immediate area.

RON

[RON WOODGEARD]

HOOTER,

I not only had my stereo & amp.hooked up to the aux. battery, I had overhead off road lights, front prerunner lights, backup lights(overhead), and my JACOBS ignition, and a few other things. My boy was just at that age, he wanted to play with everything like toggle switches. The lights I was running would have drained and destroyed my battery in a matter of minutes. But I had a heavy gauge wire cable running from battery to battery through the seleniod.


RON

[palallin]

Using this solenoid will have the further advantage of preventing (or at least limiting) parasitinc drain between unequal batteries, one of the primary reasons dual set ups fail. In any case, it's usually a good idea to replace both batteries at the same time (or begin with two fresh ones when setting duals up).

[Lippyp]

Check out 4x4 off-road magazines and specialists. This kind of dual battery setup is common with 4x4's fitted with heavy duty electric winches that eat batteries for breakfast.