Dual Battery Install Question

[Will Van]

I am running the positive and negative cables for my dual battery setup on my '93. I have a question about grounding the second battery. I know the OEM battery grounds to the engine block. Would it be OK to ground the second battery to the aluminum head (instead of the block) where my PAIR valve used to mount?

I will also ground the two batteries together. Does anyone have any suggestions while I'm doing all this wiring?

Should I also run a couple of extra grounds to the body and frame? Can you really ever have too much ground?

 

[Heckraiser]

I think I see a speck of dust... for shame!

 

[Shoredreamer]

I grounded the aux battery to the block on the ps with 2awg. Also grounded the the inside of the fender and to the frame, exactly the same grounds as my start battery. Followed a lot from George’s page. George's 80 Series Land Cruiser and Nissan MQ Patrol

 

[sea bass]

No you can never have too much ground I'm sure to the head would be okay since the other battery ground goes to block and it's all connected together by bolts what size ground are you running

 

[sea bass]

I am running the positive and negative cables for my dual battery setup on my '93. I have a question about grounding the second battery. I know the OEM battery grounds to the engine block. Would it be OK to ground the second battery to the aluminum head (instead of the block) where my PAIR valve used to mount?

I will also ground the two batteries together. Does anyone have any suggestions while I'm doing all this wiring?

Should I also run a couple of extra grounds to the body and frame? Can you really ever have too much ground?

That is one clean ass motor I like it just like mine because of my ocd

 

[bicycleagent003]

I think it's very clever that you found an old photo of an 80 Series engine bay as it left the factory to use for your post, OP. If your goal is to make us weekend wrenches feel bad that our engine bays look so crappy - well done!!!

I don't have an answer to your question, just had to comment on the photo.

Seriously, nice engine and bits.

 

[Will Van]

I think I see a speck of dust... for shame!

It's an old photo. I cleaned everything up over the weekend with my toothbrush and Q-tips. It's spotless now!


I'm kidding! Sort of.

I grounded the aux battery to the block on the ps with 2awg. Also grounded the the inside of the fender and to the frame, exactly the same grounds as my start battery. Followed a lot from George’s page. George's 80 Series Land Cruiser and Nissan MQ Patrol

Thanks! Where did you ground to the block? The exhaust is on that side and I don't want to melt the cable!

No you can never have too much ground I'm sure to the head would be okay since the other battery ground goes to block and it's all connected together by bolts what size ground are you running

That's what I was thinking. I'm running a 1/0 cables since the run is so long. My Slee dual battery system came with #4 welding wire, but that seemed undersized. Plus, welding wire isn't resistant to oil.

That is one clean ass motor I like it just like mine because of my ocd

Ha! Thanks! I'm OCD, but I also think you can ID problems quicker if the engine bay is clean.

 

[sea bass]

I think it's very clever that you found an old photo of an 80 Series engine bay as it left the factory to use for your post, OP. If your goal is to make us weekend wrenches feel bad that our engine bays look so crappy - well done!!! People without OCD will never understand us they'll never get it

I don't have an answer to your question, just had to comment on the photo.

Seriously, nice engine and bits.

It's an old photo. I cleaned everything up over the weekend with my toothbrush and Q-tips. It's spotless now!


I'm kidding! Sort of.



Thanks! Where did you ground to the block? The exhaust is on that side and I don't want to melt the cable!



That's what I was thinking. I'm running a 1/0 cables since the run is so long. My Slee dual battery system came with #4 welding wire, but that seemed undersized. Plus, welding wire isn't resistant to oil.



Ha! Thanks! I'm OCD, but I also think you can ID problems quicker if the engine bay is clean.

 

[Will Van]

Thanks for all of the compliments on the engine bay!

Here is a full shot of the whole bay.

 

[sea bass]

Thanks for all of the compliments on the engine bay!

Here is a full shot of the whole bay.

That is absolutely gorgeous nice job well done I love it

 

[Shoredreamer]

it’s directly below the oil pressure sender. I remember it being somewhat shallow so I used washers and maybe it’s an M10 fine pitch? Just went out and checked, tight and not melted ha. I do secure the cables as to keep it away from the exhaust.

 

[sea bass]

It's an old photo. I cleaned everything up over the weekend with my toothbrush and Q-tips. It's spotless now!


I'm kidding! Sort of.



Thanks! Where did you ground to the block? The exhaust is on that side and I don't want to melt the cable!



That's what I was thinking. I'm running a 1/0 cables since the run is so long. My Slee dual battery system came with #4 welding wire, but that seemed undersized. Plus, welding wire isn't resistant to oil.



Ha! Thanks! I'm OCD, but I also think you can ID problems quicker if the engine bay is clean.

People without OCD will never understand us they don't get it

 

[80t0ylc]

I am running the positive and negative cables for my dual battery setup on my '93. I have a question about grounding the second battery. I know the OEM battery grounds to the engine block. Would it be OK to ground the second battery to the aluminum head (instead of the block) where my PAIR valve used to mount?...

I will also ground the two batteries together. Does anyone have any suggestions while I'm doing all this wiring?

Should I also run a couple of extra grounds to the body and frame? Can you really ever have too much ground?

It wouldn't hurt, as long as your ground connections stay tight and corrosion free, you'll avoid the old "ground loop" syndrome. That's why frame to body to engine block ground connections are critical. It's commonly the individual component grounds to one of these that gives us the gremlins. The more you have, the more you have to maintain. The vibration that is inherant in vehicles makes it a constant battle to keep things tight, not to mention exposure to corrosion. If adding a ground wire, make sure you scrape the surface down to the bare metal. Don't rely on the threads of a bolt or screw to be your connection. Metal terminal lug to surface of ground source or connection with bolt or screw used to keep the connection tight. Then add some corrosion inhibitor or protection. I don't see a problem with grounding to head, as long as previous concepts are understood.

 

[Snobud]

it’s directly below the oil pressure sender. I remember it being somewhat shallow so I used washers and maybe it’s an M10 fine pitch? Just went out and checked, tight and not melted ha. I do secure the cables as to keep it away from the exhaust.

View attachment 1820285

I am having a lot of trouble getting a bolt into this location. Has anyone else successfully bolted into this spot? I tried the m10 x 1.5 and the m10 x 1.25 and they didn’t work. I called the dealership and they didn’t have any schematic information that would help me to know what sized bolt goes here. They said 1.5 or 1.25 pitch m8-m14 is what Toyota uses.

 

[Shoredreamer]

Let me check.

 

[Shoredreamer]

Just checked. It an M10 1.25x20mm. Threads go in about 10mm then may bottom out, I just used a couple washer and have 2 cable lugs for my grounds.

 

[Snobud]

That is so strange.. hmm I will Try it again thank you so much for checking. I may have to make another trip to the bolt and nut supply store I think I took that one back already.

 

[Shoredreamer]

Yeah no prob. You may want to chase the threads on the block. I remember them being a bit gunked up.

 

[Snobud]

you have saved me thank You! I thought I was starting to lose my mind on this little bolt hole. I confirmed that I have the m10 x1.25 so yeah I need to clean out the rust and gunk and that’s probably the resistance I am running into And then cross my fingers it will fit and I can ground the second battery And then move onto the next challenge.

 

[Snobud]

It works! Ground cable is installed.