[Blue Chip]

I've read about everything that I can about this -

Can you just take the positive from one battery and jump to the other, same for the negative for a simple set up? I imagine that both batteries would be charging as well. Or, do I need to have an isolator switch like the Rule marine battery switch?

[Landpimp]

that would/will work and make one large battery. Few problems with this. both batts much be identical and of the same age, if not the weaker battery will kill the better battery eventualy. Also, you have no back up, if your batts die you can't just flip a switch and start up the cruiser

[Blue Chip]

So is there such thing as a 1 way switch? Meaning - both batteries will always charge direct from the alternator - but only one will draw at a time? What I'm thinking is, take 2 wires from the alternator post and hook to each of the + terminals on each battery. Run a negative from one post to the other on the 2 batteries. That would isolate the draw of the accessories to only to battery that I have them hooked up to - but leave the other for starting and such.... right???

[soggy60]

You could:

- Hook both negatives together.

- connect accessories to 'new' battery

- leave regular stuff connected to 'existing' battery

- connect 'new' battery positive
to 'exisitng battery' positive
via one whopping ( powerful) diode, 60 amp or greater
if using stock alternator.

This way, accessories drain the 'new' battery, but not the 'existing'.
and the alternator charges both ( well, nearly full ,99%, charges 'new' battery)

The 'isolator' box you buy:
- is basicaaly the above.
- compensates for the '99%' mentioned above.

p.s. : Where in Central Fla do ya live ?
- I grew up there,,,
- Son and sister live there
- I'm there often
I'm in Palm B county

[Blue Chip]

Live in Oviedo - by Winter Park...15 minutes north east of Orlando.

I'm running a mean green alternator - would I need a diode larger than 60 then?

[lowtideride]

nother florida boy?

[HZJ60 Guy]

Look at this picture.



Here you see two batteries. The blue box is a 200 amp isolator (available anywhere) the alternator goes into that isolator as well as the two batteries. The isolator keeps the two batteries charged properly. Now if you look at the yellow top battery you'll see a very large round solinoid. That solinoid (painless wiring) uses a switch on the dash that connects that battery to the other red top battery. The isolator keeps care of both batteries and the solinoid either connects or disconnects the battery from the other. If the red top dies (I left my lights on) the yellow top will NOT be effected unless the switch on the das is ON!

The isolator was around 100 bucks, and the solinoid was 50 some dollars.


TB

[toy60]

A simalar thread to this is running over in outfitters

http://forum.ih8mud.com/winching-recovery/21649-battery-isolators.html