Lund81
Bone Stock
Posts:8
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| 05/15/2009 10:32 AM |
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I was wanting to install a second battery in my truck. I have several offroad lights and I am wanting to add more and possibly a winch. I do a lot of hunting and my land is deep in the swampy woods. Lights are handy. I was thinking of just connecting the ports of the second battery to the ports on the original battery. Is this ok or will it cause problems? Also, I know I will need to upgrade my alternator, which is currently stock. Im assuming it is putting out about 60 amps. Will a 115 be enough? |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2351
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| 05/16/2009 10:40 AM |
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Hi Lund - unfortunately, you cannot just hook your 2nd battery up to your 1st battery, unless you want a nice acid shower underneath your hood. 
In all seriousness, you need what it called a "battery isolater". Be sure to get a diode style isolator (most are), otherwise you'll need about 50 pounds of wiring and it's a pain in the butt. A normal diode-style isolator only has three posts on it, and they're pretty easy to wire up. You can get a decent one for under $40 at your local auto parts store.
They look like this: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200343388_200343388
Wiring them is pretty straightforward... Here's a sample diagram:
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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Lund81
Bone Stock
Posts:8
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| 05/22/2009 12:03 PM |
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Ok thanks, so basically what I need to do is get the isolator and hook it to the altenator with the two batteries hooked to the isolator. I do have a couple questions though. What kind of advantages will I see with this setup? And what size altenator would I need? I have a stock altenator right now, so I assume its probly putting out about 65 amps. |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2351
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| 05/22/2009 4:19 PM |
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Hi Lund - yup, they're pretty easy to wire into place!
Advantages:
1) it isolates your cranking/starting battery from your accessories battery. This way, if you drain your 2nd battery dead, because you left off-road lights on, a stereo on, etc., you won't be stranded.
2) You get extended life out of your batteries
Alternator:
Your stock alternator should be fine unless you are running excessive draws from your battery(ies). If you are running excessive draw, then you should upgrade to a 90 amp alternator.
Your stock alternator is probably either 60 amps or 65 amps.
Hope that helps,
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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Lund81
Bone Stock
Posts:8
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| 06/15/2009 4:52 PM |
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| Yeah that helps a lot. Thats what I think I am going to do. I think I will have to upgrade my alternator though. I have 6 off road lights and am planning on installing a winch. One more question though, where would you suggest I mount the isolator? |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2351
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| 06/15/2009 8:51 PM |
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Doesn't really matter where you mount it - most isolators (at least the good ones) are fully potted (i.e. water resistant). Personally, I would mount it high on the firewall or on top of the inner fenderwell. However, be sure to keep it away from the exhaust manifolds / headers though. Heat will kill it pretty quickly.
If you do a LOT of mudding / water crossing, you might consider routing it through your firewall and mounting it inside the cab of your truck.
P.S. do NOT skimp on the battery cables. Running too thin of a battery cable is a bad idea.
Hope that helps.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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cheaperrooter
Body Lift
Posts:152
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| 07/09/2009 8:58 AM |
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Well......hopefully my input will help a little. I have run dual batteries in almost all of my rigs. What I do is go the the marine / boating supply and get a dual battery switch. Basically a 3 position switch. Battery 1 / battery 2/ and both batteries. Under heavy load, I switch it to both batteries for extra power. Also it's great because if one battery goes dead, you just switch to the other battery to start and then turn switch to both batteries or the one dead battery to charge.
This way you can by-pass the isolator. I install the switch inside the cab on the floor board. Ricks way is for sure much more professional, right way to do it. But if you're looking for a quick solution, that may work for you. You have to be a little careful, as if you try to run both batteries at once for a long time, then one could drain more qucikly then the other, unless they are both brand new and both of the same type. Even then you can still have that problem. Most people have told me I can only do it with an isolator, but I have had no problems doing it this way for many moons.
Not trying to go against Rick....trust me, he knows much more then I do. I just happen to have some real hands on experinece in this area. |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2351
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| 07/19/2009 5:00 PM |
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Posted By cheaperrooter on 07/09/2009 8:58 AM
Not trying to go against Rick....trust me, he knows much more then I do.
Doubtful! |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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IndyToy
Bone Stock
Posts:45
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| 07/24/2009 2:20 PM |
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| The switch way works in my opinion. Every firer truck has the same switch on them. They never go dead at out fire house. Actually even the grass rigs which a basically one ton trucks have these on them to run the winch and all the extra lighting. When in a emergency run we switch to both batteries and sometimes run the truck like that for hours just ideling on scene. So i deff like the switch i feel it gives you more controll. |
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MIDWEST4X4.US |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2351
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| 07/24/2009 5:27 PM |
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| Indy - they still run an isolator in addition to the swtich though, right? Otherwise, how does the alternator charge the second battery? |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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IndyToy
Bone Stock
Posts:45
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| 07/29/2009 6:44 PM |
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totally agree with you i just like the fact that you can choose how many batteries you are using thinks its cool  being able to flip the switch and turn things on and off. Although i do have a budy with a toyota who has two batteris. He just ran them in parralel and hooked them up. My one optima gives of more power and never dies. His batteries if his truck sits drain in a couple of days. Why he needs an isolator cause one battery is stronger than the other so on drains that other being a smaller sucky battery. He could fix this with a battery switch.
My cummins has daul batteris and i know it has an isolator. I understand that is the right way.
There is alot to read here but it kinda proves a point for both of us. Is an isolator needed NO is an isolator recommended YES. I just googled it and this was the first to pop up.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/dual_battery/my_dual_battery_setup.htm |
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MIDWEST4X4.US |
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cheaperrooter
Body Lift
Posts:152
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| 09/09/2009 2:48 PM |
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The other battery DOESN'T get charged by the alternator Rick unless you switch it over. I alternate, battery one one week, battery two the other.
So tell me, be honest, you have missed me, huh Rick? It's Ok, I won't think you're gay or anything.
I mean EVERYBODY likes me... |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2351
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| 09/13/2009 7:06 PM |
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It does if it's run through an isolator... which is why I recommended that in the first place.
I did miss you. Although I heard you were dead. Fell off your horse while you were drunk or something.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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