Dual Battery

[tanman722001]

How do you wire up two battery so they both will charge?Thanks Tony

[Kidd-7]

Never done it, but from what I know you need an isolator. It will keep current from flowing between the 2 batteries, but yet allow current from the alternator to flow to both batteries and charge them. Fond this website real quick: http://www.bcae1.com/battiso.htm

[ryhan87]

Just hook the second battery up in parallel to the first battery. Red to Red, Black to Black.

[low&slow]

Originally Posted by ryhan87

Just hook the second battery up in parallel to the first battery. Red to Red, Black to Black.

Has this been proven to work?

[coggonobrien]

Originally Posted by low&slow

Has this been proven to work?

that's how a million large tractors have been built for the last 40 years

[mhs1954]

The last one I connected I used a solenoid activated with a wire hot with the ignition.
The starting battery would not drain while I went camping.

[vin63]

Originally Posted by ryhan87

Just hook the second battery up in parallel to the first battery. Red to Red, Black to Black.

That's basically how I've wired my race cars with dual batteries.

The trunk of my Super Gas car...

[Kidd-7]

If you would be using both batteries to power everything there would be no need to isolate them. Normally though, people would do this for camping or stereo applications, in that case you would want to isolate them, using a deep cycle to power lights, etc for camping or just the stereo system. Then play it all night and still start the truck in the morning.

[71blazerdetroit]

You have to decide on your needs, yes it's as easy as black to black and red to red.
But .... if one is dead or craps out, both are. both being charged at same time and discharged.

The isolators allows one battery to die ,while the other one stays charged. (100+ dollars for this setup.)

Or get a A/B /both/off marine switch and wire it up as you manually select it. Done on boats all the time. (hassle on a car due to popping the hood everytime) One rule with a A/B switch never turn it to the OFF position with the engine running, it can damage the alternator.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/ref...alBattery.html

[Kidd-7]

You might be able to score an isolator from a motorhome at a bone yard. Long shot, but will be cheaper than $100.

[tanman722001]

I need the second battery (i guess)for my winch.Or will one battery run it?

[69sixpackbee]

I run three batteries with my truck. I have two for the camper and one for the truck itself...all Ultima yellow tops. I am using a 130A alternator (CS144) and an isolator. The isolator is the best since it will, as the name implies, "isolate" the battery by charge demand. It is easier on the system and gives the fullest charge rate to the battery that needs it the most.
I have completely rewired the truck so it can make use of the increased amperage but it was the best mod I could have done as I am using ALOT of ancillary electronics!

Bud

[stich626]

get an isolator , they are cheap.. no need to spend 100+
every ford oil burner has one under the hood , and there are tons in the junkyards
also it takes longer to rechange two battery's without the isolator.
and the two batteries tied together kills alt.
all things big rigs don't have an issue with.. when they are started they are on for hours, not something that happens in a hobby truck all the time..

[tanman722001]

What are you guys calling a isolator?Can someone post a pic of one.Thanks

[71blazerdetroit]

As for the demand for the winch, I have seen big discussions on if and when a 2nd is really needed.

Most winches ask or recommend not using them for any length of time. Most times getting stuck it might be 1 min or 2. If you were winching yourself up a rock course for compettion mins count, then I can see having 2 batteries.

Since mine is only used for recovery (and most people) one suffices.

I guess I was off on the cost, heres an isolator for 50.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/2-battery-s...ilterid=c926j1

[tanman722001]

Mine is a 8000lbs Warn Winch with 4 solanoids.It on my carhauler

[tanman722001]

Originally Posted by stich626

get an isolator , they are cheap.. no need to spend 100+
every ford oil burner has one under the hood , and there are tons in the junkyards
also it takes longer to rechange two battery's without the isolator.
and the two batteries tied together kills alt.
all things big rigs don't have an issue with.. when they are started they are on for hours, not something that happens in a hobby truck all the time..

Where at under the hood?What year models?What does it look like on a Ford?