Dual Battery setups

[JayT]

Gonna be going to a dual battery setup on the BB. I'm thinking dual red-tops and I want have the option (dash switches) for both in series (winching and such) and parallel (backup/jump/accessories)...

Who's running what for harnesses/setups? (Matt, I knew I should've looked at your setup at URE... Don't know what I was thinking! cratchhe

Thanks,
JayT

[broncomatt]

I run 2 red top optimas. I have a 140amp isolator. It is hooked to the alt, and it charges which ever battry is lower.
I have also had them tied together, and with just a switch for primary and secodary. I like the isolator best.
Definetly use good wire, I put o1 ought, the thickest guage I could get. Both of mine are under the floor, behind the pass seat. I have a battery kill switch in the consol. If you put one in, be sure to use the neg side, the pos arcs too much due to the amps and will damage the contacts. I also set up the wiring so one batt is just for running the basic truck stuff, the other is for winching and aux lights, ect.
Broncomatt

[johnpaulgolf]

I'm wanting to do this dual battery set up also...I was wanting a "on/off" switch for my winch so I got one of those race car switches...I need to know more about how to wire it and what kinda isolator and so on...cratchhe:

TELL ME MORE!!! :popc1:

[broncomatt]

If your going to ever be out by your self( who ever plans too, but it happens) then you should have them separated by a switch, isolator, something. If you had to do a winch extraction, or left something on(like rock lights, interier light) you could easly come back to a dead truck. That is where its nice to have the isolator, I keep a jumper cable(just short enough to bridge the termanals of the isolator) so I can jumpstart my self. Some trails its hard to get close enough to jump start(if you even have cables with you)
Its also somewhat better for your alternator to only charge one batt at a time. I will try and draw up a good diagram and post it up. Solid soldered conections, extra heavy wire, and properly set up and you will always get out.
Its also worth the time to upgrade the alternator, either by rebuilding the stock unit or installing a 3G.
There is a kit you can buy (got mine from jcwhitney) that will allow you to rebuild the stock unit and after it will put out 105amps. I ran it in my eb for a while. Easy to do, and no modifications(which is why I will rebuild the one in my crew cab with the same kit).
The next best thing is to upgrade to the 3G, its used in the explorer and grandmarques and mustangs. You will have to rewire your charging system, but it upgrades the output to 140-160amps(depending on which one you find).
This combination with my gear reduction starter (DBelectrical $40) and my batterys, starting, charging systems are always up to the challenge. Keep in mind I run many electrical loads, 3-4 electric fans, 2 sets of forward off road lights, H4 headlights, a pair of back up lighs, and with a high compresion engine its nice to know I have the amps to fire it up no matter what.
Broncomatt

[johnpaulgolf]

Matt thats what I am talking about!!! :notworthy:

Thanks for the great info would love to see a diagram... mokin:

:biggthumpup:

[JayT]

Matt thats what I am talking about!!! :notworthy:

Thanks for the great info would love to see a diagram... mokin:

:biggthumpup:

x2! :biggthumpup:

[broncomania]

Once I did winch my way to both being dead, but a buddy jumped me.

upergrin:

[broncomatt]

Broncomatt

[johnpaulgolf]

I'm sure I will have some questions but I am going to look at this for awhile...:notworthy:


Thanks Matt great stuff!!!:biggthumpup: