Why do people add two batteries to their truck?

Just wondering because ive seen some Tacoma builds where people add a second battery to their truck, why do people add a second battery to their truck?

 

Lots of reasons to do that. A lot of people have one specifically for their winch or overlanding builds with deep cycles to run accessories like fridges, camp lights, stoves etc. the list goes on and on.

 

It could mean lot of things... such as fridge, camping, etc. That way, you don't have to worry about killing the main battery which you won't be able to start unless you jump it.

 

Bump/Hijacking this thread:
My 3rd Gen OR has a 110v outlet in the bed and a wattage switch on the dash left of the steering wheel. If I were to add a second battery as I *might* go camping and run some collection of 110v appliances sooner or later, would I need a management system for the second battery or just wire the second battery parallel to the factory and let the stock electronics (smart alternator system) manage it on it's own? (I feel I know just enough to ask the wrong questions, please be gentle)

 

You'll need a management system. It is an expensive endeavor for those that "might." And you need to be concerned with higher charging requirements of AGM batteries if you go that route.

 

Start here
https://www.google.com/search?q=wha...msung-ga-rev1&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

 

Because you can

 

This is helpful, thanks! I have a 10w trickle charging solar panel and will experiment running that to a separate 12v battery w/ inverter leftover from the Christmas parade. This will be my low budget weekend project.

 

So they can pay twice as much when both fail.

 

Simple. More power demands = more batteries.

 

Management system? I’ve run dual batteries for decades and never needed such a thing. I’m thinking someone thought this up and used the internet to convince the gullible it was needed.

 

Yep.

 

You can do a lot of things the wrong way. You could twist all your electrical connections then stick bubble gum over it and never have issues. Doesn’t mean it’s the right way or the best way.

 

Somebody bought a "management system"!

Believe it or not in the scheme of electrical stuff the automobile isn't all that exotic. Especially batteries. The basic principle has been around for quite a while. Most engineers, regardless of discipline, can figure it out. Most young folks who grew up on video games think it's an arcane science.

 

Actually I didn't. But you don't know what you're talking about. You're just running around screaming FAKE NEWS without actually discussing any of the technical requirements.

 

^

 

It’s a simple electrical circuit. The only questions are where to mount the battery and whether you want the second battery available for additional cranking amps or just to power aftermarket accessories.
Well, there is a third come to think of it. Will the stock alternator supply sufficient power in to properly charge all of the batteries.
On one work truck, a tundra, I ran four. Three to supply sufficient power to run my equipment without having to run the engine for a period of time long enough to complete my tasks at any given location.

 

Batteries are heavy little things - 40 to 60 pounds depending on size and duty cycle - and with each new mod I personally want to have a hard think on whether the benefit outweighs the penalties. (I run dual deep-cycles on my camper - I love that I can run lights, radio, and fans for 48 hours solid but damn I feel that extra 120 pounds of tongue weight.)

The best setup I saw was a buddy that didnt even hardwire his battery at all, he just bungee corded it to his bed. When he wasnt camping the battery wasnt in the truck, so he didnt have to suffer the weight penalty on his daily commute. If the truck battery went dead it took all of five minutes to swap batteries. It was brilliant in its simplicity.

 

As a dumb millennial who grew up on vidya gaems, this is accurate. I need to call my local electromancer for help with wiring up my new smart switches.