Planning a dual battery setup and accessories

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RobRed said:
Lets keep this thread moving..Anthony L what's you status on this?

I did this today :)

I need to get off my rump and replace the terminals on both my batteries with milspec terminals. Which terminals and covers are those?
 
Mxndrnks said:
I need to get off my rump and replace the terminals on both my batteries with milspec terminals. Which terminals and covers are those?

I need to make a bracket for the fusable link for my positive main battery to allow the mil spec clamps. Right now I'm just bolted to the existing link.

The clamps on the aux came from Napa auto and are identical to the ones supplied with the IBS kit. The battery terminal covers are from VTE and are 466 series.

Sent from my iPad 2 using IH8MUD
 
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So you beat me to this idea. My plan was to add a single quick disconnect on the front bumper for the main purpose of attaching jumper cables. However now I'm thinking about adding two quick disconnects on the front bumper, one from each battery. I can then use these for dual purpose. Have one cable setup for jumpers, and another cable setup for charging lead to a AGM battery charger. That way once every month or so I can plug-in each battery to the AGM charger for a full charge or cycle. With the charge lead I can open the garage door and plug in the charger without even unlocking the LC. Pretty handy.

As for AGM battery charger I've been looking at the Odyssey chargers as well as CTEK chargers. The CTEK has a great reputation and reviews.

That's a cool idea. Do you have some disconnects in mind? something like:

DS-124110-2.jpg

DC4 - 4 Gauge Power Cord Quick Disconnect CB Radios, Stryker Radios, CB Radio Antennas and Accessories - Experienced CB Technicians at WalcottCB.com

or one more suited for wet applications?

I have been researching chargers as well, I am thinking the CTEK 7002 looks about right for up a group 31? I only have 34's in the truck but have a 31 in the camper, would like to charge them all.

the Odysssey one that goes that high is twice the money, the OMAX-40AS-3B at $300.
 
That's a cool idea. Do you have some disconnects in mind? something like:


DC4 - 4 Gauge Power Cord Quick Disconnect CB Radios, Stryker Radios, CB Radio Antennas and Accessories - Experienced CB Technicians at WalcottCB.com

or one more suited for wet applications?

I have been researching chargers as well, I am thinking the CTEK 7002 looks about right for up a group 31? I only have 34's in the truck but have a 31 in the camper, would like to charge them all.

the Odysssey one that goes that high is twice the money, the OMAX-40AS-3B at $300.


The DieHard Platinum charger is an intelligent AGM charger. Nicely priced too.
 
The DieHard Platinum charger is an intelligent AGM charger. Nicely priced too.

Interesting, thanks. which one do you like?

I found the CTEK 7002 on Ebay for $115 including shipping, tempted to run with that one.. edit: that youtube they have on the auction site is pretty sweet, I dig it.
 
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I went ahead and pulled the trigger on that CTEK, after my 3rd time watching their video I figured that must be the one.. good marketing!

question for you guys: On one site I saw a suggestion to charge two batteries at once. Hook up + on one, - on the other, then jumper the other + and -... do you do this? or do you just charge one, then the other? I'm probably not going to do a permanent install, since I foresee using this for the camper batteries, motorcycle, other cars, etc.
 
nakman said:
I went ahead and pulled the trigger on that CTEK, after my 3rd time watching their video I figured that must be the one.. good marketing!

question for you guys: On one site I saw a suggestion to charge two batteries at once. Hook up + on one, - on the other, then jumper the other + and -... do you do this? or do you just charge one, then the other? I'm probably not going to do a permanent install, since I foresee using this for the camper batteries, motorcycle, other cars, etc.

Hooking up two batteries as you describe (a series connection) will divide the charger voltage between them. This is a really bad idea and will not work. A smart charger needs to adjust rhe current based on the voltage it senses from the battery in any case.
 
I found this "48530 Smart Battery Isolator 200A
" by Cole Hersee.

Dual Battery Upgrade | Pro Pickup

describes an installation with a pickup. Looks to be a relatively simple way to wire up a second battery if you don't need more info/or control. For abou 140 bucks. As i understand it, it charges up main battery first, then switches to charge 2nd battery. When discharging, will discharge both to 12.7 volts, then will only discharge second battery. Sound useful? i'm primarily interested in a second battery to power heating pads for sleeping in my LC when it is cold.


Gil
 
gil12 said:
I found this "48530 Smart Battery Isolator 200A
" by Cole Hersee.

Dual Battery Upgrade | Pro Pickup

describes an installation with a pickup. Looks to be a relatively simple way to wire up a second battery if you don't need more info/or control. For abou 140 bucks. As i understand it, it charges up main battery first, then switches to charge 2nd battery. When discharging, will discharge both to 12.7 volts, then will only discharge second battery. Sound useful? i'm primarily interested in a second battery to power heating pads for sleeping in my LC when it is cold.

Gil

Sounds very useful to me. I see no need for an LED box mounted in the truck. This system does everything you need and Cole Hersee products are top shelf. I use a Cole Hersee manual isolator for my dual battery set up. For that 140 bucks you're getting top quality. IMHO of course.

I originally purchased an IBS system, but decided I could do the same thing for $300 less and half the wires and useless LED's.
 
that system looks like exactly what id like to install.. The low load on the charging system when one battery is dead and the fact that it appears you can just connect the aux deep cycle battery to this system and it will automatically switch all load to it when you leave stuff running is brilliant.

looks like a 2 part setup they used to get that…?

Ive been searching for a system that would do this automatically without having another module to clutter up the inside of the vehicle


anyone know of a good place to buy their stuff?
 
that system looks like exactly what id like to install.. The low load on the charging system when one battery is dead and the fact that it appears you can just connect the aux deep cycle battery to this system and it will automatically switch all load to it when you leave stuff running is brilliant.

looks like a 2 part setup they used to get that…?

Ive been searching for a system that would do this automatically without having another module to clutter up the inside of the vehicle


anyone know of a good place to buy their stuff?

I bought it here: about 140 with shipping.

Cole Hersee Smart Battery Isolator 48530 200 amp
 
^^^does it allow you to jump yourself. I had to do that once and the t-max controller allowed me to do this nicely. Just pressed the link button. Saved my butt!
 
^^^does it allow you to jump yourself. I had to do that once and the t-max controller allowed me to do this nicely. Just pressed the link button. Saved my butt!

The write up mentions a "Optional Start Assist – Momentary switch allows the auxiliary battery to assist the starting battery." but i haven't looked for it - figured the whole point is that the main battery should stay OK, and if needed, I could use cables. But i must agree, it does not have the many options of the T-max. What i did like was the very low voltage drain on the system versus the t-max.

Gil


Gil
 

Yup, those huge Anderson Power Poles are exactly what I had in mind. I must admit I can not take credit for the idea, I've seen it in person on other rigs. At least for jumper cable hookups, now the connector per battery for charging, not sure.
 
Apparently, the switch is just any momentary switch. Their pdf file mentions several possible switches of their own - the following is the one they picture, for $12. Apparently, it will connect the batterys for one minute to allow you to crank it up, then automatically disengages.

Cole Hersee M-626-02 Push Button Switch

Gil
 
Lets keep this thread moving..Anthony L what's your status on this?

Took a long break with the cruiser parked. Ready to get back into the project and get it ready for summer action!

I see the batteries are back on sale through end of this weekend. Looks like it finally time to head down to Sears and catch a pair of them on sale! I've missed the last several opportunities by a matter of hours.

I'm still pretty set on the CTEK chargers, they are bad ass little boxes. They are a charger and battery tender all-in-one solution. The CTEK case is completely sealed so it can be permenantly mounted under the hood and withstand conditions.

Thinking a pair of the latest model CTEK Multi US 4.3 ($65/each), one for each battery mounted in the engine bay. Then when home just run an extension cord out in the driveway and plug-in to take care of the batteries.
 
SanDiegoCruiser said:
^^^does it allow you to jump yourself. I had to do that once and the t-max controller allowed me to do this nicely. Just pressed the link button. Saved my butt!

If you have 2 batteries, all you need is jumper cables. If your system is hooked up correctly you shouldn't have to worry about it. Unless your main battery just dies, but that's pretty rare.
 
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