Critique My Dual Battery Set Up Plan

[latinoguy]

In the near future, I would like to install an auxiliary battery set up to use as a BACK UP, meaning if I need to self jump my car I can “flip a switch” and start my car. Plan: KISS Dual Battery Set up (keep it simple)
Main Battery: Deep cycle battery as starting battery and for all accessories to draw from. I want do to run all my accessories off my main battery, including a future Fridge and winch.
General Idea: I want to go with the most economical set up, even if that means most “manual” set up. The goal of the 2nd battery is to be able to use it as a BACK UP, meaning if I need to self jump my car I can “flip a switch” and start my car.
Budget: I want to go with the most economical set up, even if that means most “manual” set up.
I don plan to place the battery on the front left hand side of the radiator like most others, after I get all the parts and relocate the windshield washer bottle….
There is much information on here as far what size g cables and lengths I will need to get to connect the 2 batteries and stuff…Now I just need your help and feedback on the MAIN components of my KISS aux battery set up and suggested places to buy from.
Questions:


Since my main battery will be a Deep Cycle battery, can my back up battery be a regular starting battery? Or can it be a Deep Cycle battery as well? I plan to go with the Kirkland Deep Cycle battery BTW.
I do need to replace the battery in my rig sooner than this project,s timeline, and since the Kirkland Deep Cycle battery does not have reverse battery posts, what would you recommend I do so I can have the main battery cables reach the posts….(I’d hate to have to run longer cables a month or 2 from now once I am ready to piece everything together)



So far I like Boston Mangler's and SocalFJ's dual battery set up...for their set up simplicity...

 

[SOCALFJ]

Yeah, our setups are super easy and simple. You'll be fine with a deep cycle and a standard battery.... thats what im running and i have no problems. As far as kirkland brand, i havent heard anything regarding their quality but i doubt its a problem. Probably just another brand re-badged for sale through them. I would go for it. We are running a West Marine deep cycle ourselves. I dont follow the battery post part?

 

[latinoguy]

"I dont follow the battery post part?"

before I get the whole set up, I need to replace my current battery....and the Kirkland Deep Cycle battery has the post closer to the radiator...thus requiring me to extend the battery cables to reach the posts....by an extra 3-4 inches or so....

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Budget: I want to go with the most economical set up, even if that means most “manual” set up.
.

Here you go

 

[miked]

Here you go

wouldn't it be better to have a switch that goes from 1 to 2 without combining ("all") so you don't get a current in-rush to the dead battery? I know I've seen a switch like that..

my plan is to run a second battery where the second battery is kept in float by a solar panel with a pwm charge controller mounted on the rack. yes. that is my plan.

 

[latinoguy]

Am I missing something with this simple set up (as detailed in Baja Overlands website? No solenoid? if no solenoid, why not? Not required in this set up? Also, the West Marine switch is all is needed to combine battery power and "self jump start" with no additional in cab switch? (I could do without that addition swtich in cab feature...)

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

wouldn't it be better to have a switch that goes from 1 to 2 without combining ("all") so you don't get a current in-rush to the dead battery? I know I've seen a switch like that..

The manufacture recommends not to switch while running.
Not my set up but he asked for the "most economical set up".

 

[SOCALFJ]

Am I missing something with this simple set up (as detailed in Baja Overlands website? No solenoid? if no solenoid, why not? Not required in this set up? Also, the West Marine switch is all is needed to combine battery power and "self jump start" with no additional in cab switch? (I could do without that addition swtich in cab feature...)

We both chose no solenoid because we wanted the system to be as simple as possible. Therefore not having additional electrical components that can fail. Easy to diagnose too if there is a problem.

Yes, we just run the West Marine switch and nothing else in the cab. Its completely manual. Only draw back is that you have to get out of the truck and pop the hood to switch. One other draw back from a smart solenoid system is that they usually charge both batteries and our setup only charges the battery your switched too. I usually switch my batteries back and forth every few weeks to make sure they're charged. Not that big of a deal to me. The simpler the better in my eyes. Less to go wrong.

To self jump, your on battery 1 just turn the switch to 2 position and start the truck. Then i usually turn it back to 1 to charge the dead battery.

 

[latinoguy]

thanks for clarifying SolcalFJ that is the info I was trying to confirm....