Dual Battery Setups! Let's see them! Multiple Batteries Thread!

Yup. No problem!

 

sub'ing for later

 

To confirm, it's a loud click which I can hear over the sound of the engine running, etc.

 

Do they make these that will support high amps? I'm trying to move my battery to the bed but didn't wanna run winch and battery cable to bed. Was gonna run winch cable to power post under hood. Then 1/0 from post to bed.

Bad idea ??

 

Yes. It's for sure noticeable, but not annoying loud. Plus its quick.

I can also tell because I have a voltage meter in the a-pilar and shows the variance in the two batteries once it disconnects. Otherwise, when connected they are pretty much at the same voltage - sometimes .1 off

 

Not a bad idea.

There are no amp considerations to take into account with the power block because you are not relying on amperage to run though it. You are relying on the block to hold the two wire connectors together. It is the contact between the connectors that will carry the amperage. The power blocks come in different size bolts; so, one can argue to get the one with the largest bolt because that will require larger connectors which will have a larger contact area which will support more current travelling through the connectors.

But, do you need the power block? Aren't you using a battery isolator? The winch cable can be connected to the side of the isolator having the aux battery cable. Or, do you only have a one battery system?

 

I do only have one battery currently. Only issue that I can't et around is I wanted to use a marine switch for the winch to turn it off, and I wanted to add circuit breaker in the bed for the battery. If I do the power post way I can't really do the circuit breAker. I already have a power post by the fuse box for the factory power wires and some fuse lines for lights and stuff.

 

You shouldn't fuse the wire going from the battery to the starter. Initial amp draw can be as high as 700 amps on a 4 cyl. That will eventually fry the fuse. The proper way to wire a remote battery is to install a remote high amp solenoid near the battery. That way the wire going to the starter is only energized when you start the car. The wiring going to the power post can have a fuse or circuit breaker. See sample diagram below.

 

Finally got my batteries wired up. I am using the Blue Sea ML-ACR.
I set the red switch to center. Started the truck, and turned on my compressor which is hooked to the aux battery. In a few minutes I hear the latching sound so I assume both batteries are charging. Few minutes later I turn off the compressor, and wait for the unlatching sound. Wait about 10 minutes, nothing. Both bars light on the red switch. When should the ML-ACR unlatch and stop charging the aux battery? When I turn off the truck it unlatches in a couple minutes and the red switch lights go out.
Thoughts? Should the batteries stay combined until I shut the truck off?

 

The solenoid will open when voltage on either side of the solenoid is less than 12.65V. If it's opening that quickly after you shut the truck off you've got a battery with resting voltage less than 12.65V.

The solenoid will close when above a certain voltage (I want to say 13.X) and will stay closed until the voltage drops to 12.65V. Therefore it would not open while the truck is on as the alternator is supplying charge above that threshold.

TLDR yes, it should stay latched until you shut the truck off.

 

It sounds like it is working correctly. The ml acr will unlatch when there is a voltage difference between the two batteries. When the truck is running, the alt maintains the voltage so it will remain latched while the engine is running.

 

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the quick responses. Do you leave the red switch on all the time? Just wondering.

 

I leave mine on auto all the time except for maintenance

 

OK, great.

 

I'm considering doing the two battery set up , but have some questions on the matter before I make this upgrade.
Currently, I run my low voltage fridge off the main battery overnight when camping. I have my winch on the main too. I do @ 2-3 trips a year. My longest being 1 month. Truck runs and charges battery all day. I have a power pack I keep charged in case of a low battery situation where I need a jump. It's good for at least 4-6 attempts. So far I have never needed to use the power pack.
Please inform me of the advantages in doing dual batterys as compared to what I'm currently doing.
This may sound like another one of those dumb annoying questions , so I apologize in advance for any frowns. I have been going back n forth and can't come to a sound conclusion.
I'm aware that I need a good main battery at onset of an extended trip, and will change up the main this year on my 2013 stock battery. Not that it has ever been a problem , but better to change before weakness sets in.
Thank's in advance .... I know I'll get good info. Here

Bottom line .... Why should I go dual battery and spend the cash. Or .... Stay the same and save ?

 

It is solely for peace of mind.

I, like you, relied solely on only a single battery for all my camping amp draw needs for a long time. Eventually, it caught up to me. I was left stranded when the yellow top had finally had too many deep discharges. Maybe you've just been lucky or maybe I was just unlucky, but whatever, I like being way away, my dual battery setup gives me the confidence to enjoy my time without worrying about the charge status of my starting battery.

Batteries do not like to be discharged, especially lead/acid starting batteries.

 

Thanks Mike
I plan on upgrading to a much better main battery this spring.
I too was back in ... Way back in , alone , so in a case like that I got the fridge down to temp before bed , then killed the power to it overnight.

The other upgrade interference is Ham ....
I'm studying that now too ...
My question on that is .... Who I'm gonna call on the Ham if I need help ?
Some guy in Poland isn't gonna come ... if ya know what I mean.
What are your thoughts on having a Ham ?
I realize I'm off topic on this one , so it will be the end of questions off topic ...
It's all tied together though , in the form of $$$

 

$$$, its all part of it. Just sayin.

Most common mobile ham is on 2 meters or 70 centimeters system or both. I highly doubt you'll be reaching Poland with one of those radios.

Doing APRS on 2M might be worth considering. We've been pretty remote and still hit an iGate, even in Canada. It is possible to send text messages via APRS.

 

First advice: Don't travel alone!

However, if you do, more options are better than one or no options. There are so many choices, CB, FRS, GMRS, PRS, Ham, Cell Phone, satellite phone, satellite internet, and probably some I am missing.

So as not to hijack this thread, there is a lot of discussion on this very topic in the Audio/Video section of TW. I would start there for communications questions.

As for power and your fridge, yes a second battery is a great idea. You don't need an massive battery either. The current draw form most fridges, once down to temp is actually very low if you are not opening it throughout the night. A mid-sized deep-cycle trolling motor battery will do wonders and costs around $75 at Walmart. Even if you kill it over night, your food will be freesher than starting the night with the power off. There are also charge regulators that will shut off the battery before it is completely drained to maintain the batteries ability to charge. Several have been talked about in this thread already so I won't go into detail about specific models. Good luck in your searches!

 

It seems that many people on this forum know alot about batteries. I have been installing several different LED light's throughout my tacoma, and planned to run all of the wires to the red battery terminal to access power for my fog lights, light bar, cube lights, ext. Is this safe to do, if i just put fork end on all of the wires, loosen the battery terminal lug, and put all of the forkends on it? I have my fog lights on it right now, but i dont know a whole lot about electrical automotive and wanted to get a repose before i put on the other lights as well. Thanks!