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accessories battery??


matticus420

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 26, 2012
Messages
132
City
mcallen tx
Vehicle Year
1993
Transmission
Manual
Redirect my if this covered

im planning on installing a 2nd battery
in my truck for mostly all my accessories(off road lights,wintch, etc.)

Can i just put it in an connect it to the alternator
do i have to have a special connection?
do i need to get a better alternator?

Wondering in anyone has done this an how it works
Any help would be appreciated
 
The BEST way to do this is to ground the second battery directly to the frame, connect one positive to the starter and alternator, connect the other positive directly to the first battery's positive.

The only real drawback to this setup is that the batteries much match and must be replaced in pairs. If you have one old one and one new one you will cook the new one.
 
The best way is to install the 2nd battery and connect it to the main battery through a battery isolator. Using a battery isolator will allow you to drain the 2nd or auxiliary battery completely but still maintains the main battery for engine starting. The isolator will always charge your cranking/starting battery first then it will charge your auxiliary battery. Its best to do this install regardless of what the batteries will be used for. If you just connect them as adsm08 suggested you will drain both batteries every time and then will have to charge them or be jump started.
 
wildbill23c said:
If you just connect them as adsm08 suggested you will drain both batteries every time and then will have to charge them or be jump started.
Click to expand...

But it will also charge both of them and it will take a lot more to drain them out.
 
adsm08 said:
But it will also charge both of them and it will take a lot more to drain them out.
Click to expand...

It will charge both of them yes, but it will also tax the alternator's output capacity, you'll burn up the alternator pretty quick trying to recharge 2 batteries at the same time. The Battery Isolator will protect against overworking the alternator, plus it will keep you from draining both of your batteries leaving you stranded in the middle of BFE.

But hey its your vehicle wire it however you want LOL. The PO of my vehicle did that and it didn't work out so well, they were complaining when I picked it up that after they did some wiring the alternator wasn't charging the battery, well duh it wasn't hooked up LOL.
 
I wouldn't bother with a second battery. I have yet to get stuck with the one I have.

But yes, it would tax the alternator to charge two batteries like that if you were to drain them down.
 
adsm08 said:
I wouldn't bother with a second battery. I have yet to get stuck with the one I have.

But yes, it would tax the alternator to charge two batteries like that if you were to drain them down.
Click to expand...

X2

Unless your running a winch constantly or some other high draw source where you need the extra juice one battery should work.

You can also look at a higher amp alternator.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic
 
One battery does good but i go to the east cut "northern part of south parde island u can get on a truck"
An i hate turning it on every 15 min to charge an make sure she turns on i use my stereo an off road lights for camp lights
 
Why not just buy a generator? Or get one of those solar sheets and a battery trickle charger...great for those solar powered flash lights...
 
I have a generator but we plug in the lights that we use to light up the water with and it cuts off sometimes plunging in the lights an a normal light 3 500w spot lights
 
Ah, well, you may need a more powerful generator...what is it rated at...watts wise?
 
wildbill23c said:
The best way is to install the 2nd battery and connect it to the main battery through a battery isolator. Using a battery isolator will allow you to drain the 2nd or auxiliary battery completely but still maintains the main battery for engine starting. The isolator will always charge your cranking/starting battery first then it will charge your auxiliary battery. Its best to do this install regardless of what the batteries will be used for. If you just connect them as adsm08 suggested you will drain both batteries every time and then will have to charge them or be jump started.
Click to expand...

Do this!
 
I think it around 1800w not to sure its an old generator it doesn't seem to say on it
i would rather put the extra battery with the isolater the to spend around $500 on a generator that gonna take up more space in the back of my truck
 
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