single tray dual battery install (1 Viewer)

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Here is another dual battery install.......


This is a little different due to the cramming them both in one tray.
I went this way because I didnt think I needed a full size # 2 battery.
I was just looking for something to start with if I managed to kill the main.

Main players:

Optima D31M
Odyssey 680 MJ
Hellroaring BIC
Custom mount for the Odyssey.

So far so good , I do need to tidy up a bit and secure some of the wire.

ken
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And more......
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This is interesting. Never seen this before. Let us know how it goes if you ever use it!
 
Describe the gizmo for mounting the Odyssey.

Where did you get those battery cables and how are they made?

You'll love the Hellroaring unit.

-B-
 
That is pretty cool. I had thought about doing that as well. But then went with a full size dual setup as i got a fridge.

I had a small Odyssey in a sports car i had for a while. It was a huge weight savings and started the car fine (3.0L motor). I don't know if it is the same one you have or not, but it looked about that size and was the only battery in the car.

FYI: You can get terminal adapters that screw down on the small posts if you or anyone else wants to run the standard SAE style battery cables. Your install looks great!
 
Very clean install, Ken. That 15 lbs Odyssey has some nice specs. As a test, have you tried disconnecting the main battery and then starting your truck (preferably when cold) and running it for a few minutes? With a capacity of 280CCA I would not expect any problems.

For those of us that subscribe to the philosophy of connecting all loads to the main battery, I think this approach makes great sense. I have advocated for some time using a single deep cycle battery for everything, then carrying around one of those portable booster battery units if you need to jump yourself. One popular version of the booster uses the same Amp-Hour rated battery as your Odyssey, so your setup is effectively the same. It makes good use of the empty space in front of the main battery and saves the whole hassle and expense of adding a second battery tray on the opposite side.

Tell us more about the mount for the Odyssey and where you got the cables and connectors. I like braided sleeving; did that come from Wrangler?
 
Hmmmm... looks like a good solution if you're not planning to bond two batteries for winching, etc. Truly a "back-up" starter implementation.

The BIC allows for combination for wiching or full separation.

But the main purpose for me is seamless backup.

ken
 
Describe the gizmo for mounting the Odyssey.

Where did you get those battery cables and how are they made?

You'll love the Hellroaring unit.

-B-


(gizmo):

The mount is an aluminum tray that is made for the 680 and some fabbed 6061 1"x1/8" angle and 6061 1-1/2"x1/8" flat bar to attach to the vechicle.

The #2 tray sits on the oem tray for full support but for full security is attached to the 2 bolts on the top rad support and one bolt (threaded hole) on the driver front 1/4 panel.

The cables are locally available marine cable with marine tinned crimp connectors.
For the svelt "cool guy" look its covered with 1/2" "Clean Cut" PET anti fray sleeving. available @ good electronics stores or McMaster #2837K32
The ends of the cable on top of the sleeving is heat shrunk ?? word?

So far I am enjoying the BIC
I hope that answered the ????

ken
 
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You have done an excellent job with the wiring. I need to get some wire braid and replace the main battery body ground as you have. Neat.

Be sure to use some good battery terminal covers. I would like to see what you come up with on those. My dual battery setup uses the military terminals with covers donated by a generous 'Mud member. Karma all around.

Are you planning to secure that big Bussman fuse?

Like TrickyT, I am a fan of having all loads to a single battery and having a fresh, unloaded battery in reserve. This is an excellent way to do that and keep everything in the stock location. That deep cycle Optima is HUGE.

-B-
 
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Very clean install, Ken. That 15 lbs Odyssey has some nice specs. As a test, have you tried disconnecting the main battery and then starting your truck (preferably when cold) and running it for a few minutes? With a capacity of 280CCA I would not expect any problems.

For those of us that subscribe to the philosophy of connecting all loads to the main battery, I think this approach makes great sense. I have advocated for some time using a single deep cycle battery for everything, then carrying around one of those portable booster battery units if you need to jump yourself. One popular version of the booster uses the same Amp-Hour rated battery as your Odyssey, so your setup is effectively the same. It makes good use of the empty space in front of the main battery and saves the whole hassle and expense of adding a second battery tray on the opposite side.

Tell us more about the mount for the Odyssey and where you got the cables and connectors. I like braided sleeving; did that come from Wrangler?


I did run a full test on the system I wasnt able to get real low temps for a #2 start ( 40* f ).
( battery no charge out of the box)
At 40* it started very strong and ran perfect with the #1 disconnected.




Thanks everyone for the complements! , I cant take full credit , this was a 2 person 2 truck install the other member will hopefully post up with his install pics ( a little different)) :beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:

ken
 
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You have done an excellent job with the wiring. I need to get some wire braid and replace the main battery body ground as you have. Neat.

Be sure to use some good battery terminal covers. I would like to see what you come up with on those. My dual battery setup uses the military terminals with covers donated by a generous 'Mud member. Karma all around.

Are you planning to secure that big Bussman fuse?

Like TrickyT, I am a fan of having all loads to a single battery and having a fresh, unloaded battery in reserve. This is an excellent way to do that and keep everything in the stock location. That deep cycle Optima is HUGE.

-B-

The Bussman fuse is was kind of an issue , I wanted to mount it on the tray but its Maxed out on space. so right now its held down with HD velcro and the 4 ga wire. The plan is to leave it that way , it is working well as of now.
Yes the Optima is defnitly huge , I really dont think I will be able to kill it.

ken
 
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Very nice.
I want one of those....

Alvaro
 
Can you post a wiring diagram? What is the small black box with the switch for?
 
Can you post a wiring diagram? What is the small black box with the switch for?

This page as a basic drawing : http://www.hellroaring.com/4wheel.php

The black box is the "remote module" this switch allows you to change the battery config in cab.

Its a 3 position switch

1- combine (winching)
2- auto normal charge and isolation
3- off , total sepration

HTH

ken
 
(gizmo):

The mount is an aluminum tray that is made for the 680 and some fabbed 6061 1"x1/8" angle and 6061 1-1/2"x1/8" flat bar to attach to the vechicle...

...The ends of the cable on top of the sleeving is heat shrunk ?? word?

Ken, what's the source for the aluminum tray?

"Heat shrink tubing" are the words you're searching for. Available at Radio Shack, electronics stores, and places like West Marine.
 
Ken, what's the source for the aluminum tray?

"Heat shrink tubing" are the words you're searching for. Available at Radio Shack, electronics stores, and places like West Marine.

I believe any place that sells the Odyssey product will have the mount.

The Odyssey batteries are super cool in that you can custom order different configs and accessories . The Odyssey product is top notch and is a big comfort factor that it will have my back when needed.

ken
 
Nice, very clean work. Looks great!
 

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