Dual Batteries
- Thread starter harkinoff
- Start date
Tacoma
Et incurventur ante non
- Location
- far enough away
depends on what you're doing that for.... details?
I'll assume you're not converting to a 24v setup...
I'll assume you're not converting to a 24v setup...
well, from my experience we would use an isolator and a battery switch, the main reason for the isolator is to keep the dead battery from sucking all the power from the good one, but yet they can both charge. The switch is for using bat one or two or both (you shoudn't run off both, and if setup properly even if bat one is selected you will still charge both, the problem with running off both is if you happen to leave something on or something goes wrong and your battery dies you have now killed BOTH batteries defeating the purpose of having dual bats)
We always got our parts from marine stores or delcity.net (they were used on boats) but the stuff we used would be good for what we do because it was water proof/resistant you can also get the same isolators we would use at Napa I believe...its really easy to setup...
)We always got our parts from marine stores or delcity.net (they were used on boats) but the stuff we used would be good for what we do because it was water proof/resistant you can also get the same isolators we would use at Napa I believe...its really easy to setup...
I didn't even think of the marine thing, thanks for the info Supe... do you think in our application dual batteries is a real needed thing? The last time I was worried is when I fell off a snow cat track up above Park city and had snow over the hood, had wipers,heater, winch,lights ,all going at once. The alternator you could fry an egg on.do you think a dual battery setup takes the load off the alternator a little?
I deffinitely think dual batteries is a good thing for us. Kinda the same thing on our boats, we would fish through the night so we would have TONS of lights on, radios, GPS, Radar, TV, Fans, etc...the alternator on most outboard motors is nothing more than a trickle charge, so we would actually have two batteries for each motor and another battery for accessories, some boats of ours would have 9-12 batteries. The other good thing about it is the ability to use them as a make shift welder if need be. The only downside, IMO, is the added weight, but for a trail rig hat should not be an issue. My buggy will have dual batteries once its finally running good.
SnwMnkys
Registered User
- Location
- Orem, Utah
Heres my dual battery setup in my Early Bronco. Dual Yellow top optimas with a 3g 130 amp alternator charging them, the isolator is a Wrangler North West Power products.
This kit uses a three mode system. Mode 1 for normal operation (both batteries charging and discharging. Mode 2 for situations like winching (one battery held in reserve). Mode 3 for emergency (one battery jumps the other). When you turn off your vehicle, one battery is out of the system.
This kit uses a three mode system. Mode 1 for normal operation (both batteries charging and discharging. Mode 2 for situations like winching (one battery held in reserve). Mode 3 for emergency (one battery jumps the other). When you turn off your vehicle, one battery is out of the system.
Tacoma
Et incurventur ante non
- Location
- far enough away
That Wrangler kit is sweet... if I remember it's a chunk o change though.
Check the boat shops... last time I looked around all I could find local was huge obnoxious switches hahahah
If you dont' mind paying, the Wrangler kit, or Painless' deal, will save you the small headache of the parts hunt.
Check the boat shops... last time I looked around all I could find local was huge obnoxious switches hahahah
If you dont' mind paying, the Wrangler kit, or Painless' deal, will save you the small headache of the parts hunt.
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
SnwMnkys
Registered User
- Location
- Orem, Utah
Batterys and Alternator i got local, built the battery tray out of some scrap angle Iron, and the Isolator setup i bought off of Ebay for $100, but it was missing the wires that go between the switch and the Solenoid. Called NW Products and they shipped me a new one for $10.
The Painless setup is only $99, unless you want the water proof one then its like $160, i dont know how much of a diference there is for $60, but they both handle the same amperage.
The Painless setup is only $99, unless you want the water proof one then its like $160, i dont know how much of a diference there is for $60, but they both handle the same amperage.
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
I have a used NW setup... needs a new solenoid (~$25)... Anyone intersted? Cash talks
SnwMnkys
Registered User
- Location
- Orem, Utah
I had a brand new Solenoid that was identical to the NW, it was sold and had a Lightning Audio sticker on it instead, I had it in the for sale section but noone wanted it, finally sold it on Ebay for $25. Crappy timing.
SnwMnkys
Registered User
- Location
- Orem, Utah
Yes it comes with everything, they sell kits for a ton of vehicles that includes the dual battery tray so you dont have to fab one up for youself, but they seem a little pricey to me.
If your putting it in an Early Bronco theres a guy selling the Wildchild dual battery tray over on classicbroncos.com for pretty cheap, theres one on Ebay right now as well.
Oh wait you have a Scout, nevermind
If your putting it in an Early Bronco theres a guy selling the Wildchild dual battery tray over on classicbroncos.com for pretty cheap, theres one on Ebay right now as well.
Oh wait you have a Scout, nevermind
SnwMnkys
Registered User
- Location
- Orem, Utah
On the Bronco theres 2 pretty decent brackets that connect the inner fender well tub, to the radaitor core support, thats where the stock battery tray rests on normally, i bolted my new one down to it, and 1 bolt through the inner fender, and 1 bolt through the core support.
Alot of Bronco owers will run a battery on each side, instead of trying to cram both in that small area. Maybe you can run one on both sides, right behind your headlights, ive never seen under the hood of a scout so i dont know.
Alot of Bronco owers will run a battery on each side, instead of trying to cram both in that small area. Maybe you can run one on both sides, right behind your headlights, ive never seen under the hood of a scout so i dont know.
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
harkinoff said:I PM'd you a couple days ago
Nope, I just hate PM's... J/k
I'll reply right now...
gijohn40
too poor to wheel... :(
- Location
- Layton, Utah
I have dual batteries in my cj-7 and all I use is a isolater... I have the second battery for all my accessories and the main battery for just the engine functions... no need to buy the switch... if I need to jump a battery Ijust get my jumper cables out...
Why make it so complicated?
John
Why make it so complicated?
John