Planning a dual battery setup... Got some Q's.
- Thread starter Lka1988
- Start date
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I've been running dual batteries in my 91 for a few years now. Here's an old thread with some pictures of it. It's not to hard to get it to fit, You just need to ditch the exhaust/intake blower and rerout your smog pump valve. PM me with your email addres if you want some clearer up to date pictures. I hooked my batteries in parallel for convience at the time and they still sit that way today.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/73817-dual-batts-fj80-anyone.html
Greg
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/73817-dual-batts-fj80-anyone.html
Greg
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- Thread starter
- #43
So how'd it turn out boys? I'm very interested in doing something very similar to my '91, mostly because I'm installing a HAM, CB, 4 to 6 LightForces and a winch.... Any good suggestions as to how that'd work out?
Lane, can you post pics of the batteries in the single tray?
Lane, can you post pics of the batteries in the single tray?
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I'm considering this.... I'm still researching, but building up a list of stuff to do.
I'm looking at the Hellroaring kit or the Painless- I have a '91 FJ80 - I'm considering using the Odyssey batteries from the Dual Batts on an FJ80 thread. Is this practical? (Rambrush, What size are those Odysseys?)
Would a dual battery rig be necessary if I'm running an HAM, a CB, 6 LightForce 240 XGTs and a warn XD9000i- Of course i'm not using all of that at the same time, but probably the lightforces and the HAM/CB or the Lightforces and the Winch at the same time...
Recommendations? I figured I'd post here instead of starting a new thread....
I'm looking at the Hellroaring kit or the Painless- I have a '91 FJ80 - I'm considering using the Odyssey batteries from the Dual Batts on an FJ80 thread. Is this practical? (Rambrush, What size are those Odysseys?)
Would a dual battery rig be necessary if I'm running an HAM, a CB, 6 LightForce 240 XGTs and a warn XD9000i- Of course i'm not using all of that at the same time, but probably the lightforces and the HAM/CB or the Lightforces and the Winch at the same time...
Recommendations? I figured I'd post here instead of starting a new thread....
They are 1200's with metal jacket. With Hellroaring there is no wires to cut splice to alternator etc.
I would say yes you need a dual system. Everything can run off the main battery and the other is back up. I can switch to both batteries if the load requires it via toggle switch on the dash.
All of my connections were soldered and crimped with shrink tubing protection.
I would say yes you need a dual system. Everything can run off the main battery and the other is back up. I can switch to both batteries if the load requires it via toggle switch on the dash.
All of my connections were soldered and crimped with shrink tubing protection.
Here is what I did, very simple if you have a welder and some scrap metal. If not you could probly come up with something similar.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/205363-different-option-dual-batterys-3fe.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/205363-different-option-dual-batterys-3fe.html
Sorry to Hijack Lka1988-
Rambrush- How easy was the Hellroaring to do? kind of no duh or more complicated?
slow91FJ90- What did you end up going with? Again, how complicated?
I'm one of those people who hasn't messed much with electricity- I have replaced the distributor wires and switched the batteries.... How complicated is this in comparison?
What i'm looking at doing is hooking my lights and radios to the Aux battery, and the winch to the main, and isolating them when the truck's off- That way i can still use the radios and lights while the truck's off without worrying about starting- I only plan on winching with the truck on...
I assume that that means that I'll need a combiner/isolator that will put the batteries together to charge while the car's on, and disconnect when the car is off... Sound right? If i'm confused tell me... Am I overthinking this?
I'm pretty sure that all the systems (Hellroaring, National Luna, Painless...etc...) do that... right?
Rambrush- How easy was the Hellroaring to do? kind of no duh or more complicated?
slow91FJ90- What did you end up going with? Again, how complicated?
I'm one of those people who hasn't messed much with electricity- I have replaced the distributor wires and switched the batteries.... How complicated is this in comparison?
What i'm looking at doing is hooking my lights and radios to the Aux battery, and the winch to the main, and isolating them when the truck's off- That way i can still use the radios and lights while the truck's off without worrying about starting- I only plan on winching with the truck on...
I assume that that means that I'll need a combiner/isolator that will put the batteries together to charge while the car's on, and disconnect when the car is off... Sound right? If i'm confused tell me... Am I overthinking this?
I'm pretty sure that all the systems (Hellroaring, National Luna, Painless...etc...) do that... right?
The kit install went well no major hiccups at all.
Here is a link to where I have more pictures of the install.
Dual Battery install - Photo Gallery
Here is a link to where I have more pictures of the install.
Dual Battery install - Photo Gallery
- Thread starter
- #51
Appolyon-
Grab a Surepower Isolator from Checker/Kragen/Schucks for like $30. They are good quality, the local power company uses them in all their utility trucks, and I'm using one.
Grab a Surepower Isolator from Checker/Kragen/Schucks for like $30. They are good quality, the local power company uses them in all their utility trucks, and I'm using one.
The isolator
EDIT:
So the Surepower Isolator from Checker is $33, and there's a wiring kit that you can buy for $26 that is 10ga. wire... Is this what I want? How straightforward is it?
EDIT:
So the Surepower Isolator from Checker is $33, and there's a wiring kit that you can buy for $26 that is 10ga. wire... Is this what I want? How straightforward is it?
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- Thread starter
- #53
Pretty straightforward. Follow the instructions properly and you'll be fine.
There are several Hellroaring writeups in the archives. I think Cruiserdrew did one and Romer and a few others (names escape me now.)
Most of us start out thinking the same way you are; aux loads to one battery and stock vehicle loads to another. This will work most of the time but if you think about it, the safest strategy is to have all (repeat... ALL) loads to the main battery (use a HD deep cycle) and then have a backup battery that is always charged and ready to start the vehicle when needed. The two can be combined with the Hellroaring switch when needed.
I have had the Hellroaring for about 5 years and it has worked great. It is about time to replace the 5+ year old batteries but I think I will stay with the same configuration; deep cycle starting battery and regular backup battery.
-B-
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Hellroaring
Okay... That makes more sense.... I guess that I understand why you'd all (mostly) decide to put the second as a backup battery... that way if you have a dead main, you can get out... if you're draining both, you're still up the creek. Common sense
But in the case of the Hellroaring, aren't they running in parallel if you tie them together to jump, so they should both be the same battery, right?
I'm looking hard at the Odyssey PC 1500 DT as my primary. It's a big battery. For $50 more than the optima, it looks better on paper.... we'll have to see in real life...
Okay... That makes more sense.... I guess that I understand why you'd all (mostly) decide to put the second as a backup battery... that way if you have a dead main, you can get out... if you're draining both, you're still up the creek. Common sense
But in the case of the Hellroaring, aren't they running in parallel if you tie them together to jump, so they should both be the same battery, right?
I'm looking hard at the Odyssey PC 1500 DT as my primary. It's a big battery. For $50 more than the optima, it looks better on paper.... we'll have to see in real life...
- Thread starter
- #56
Not necessarily. Think about it... When someone needs a jump, 99% of the time their battery is not the same as yours.
Same concept.
Charging?
What about when charging? Are they isolated from each other during charging? I guess i don't totally understand how the isolator works... Does the Surepower allow you to link the two batteries for jumping? or would I have to rig something separately?
What about when charging? Are they isolated from each other during charging? I guess i don't totally understand how the isolator works... Does the Surepower allow you to link the two batteries for jumping? or would I have to rig something separately?
- Thread starter
- #58
An isolator is called an "isolator" for a reason. It keeps the batteries "separate" from each other, or keeps them isolated, but charges them both at the same time.
There are a few isolators that will allow you to self-jump (Hellroaring, for one), but are a bit $$$
There are a few isolators that will allow you to self-jump (Hellroaring, for one), but are a bit $$$
Oh, that was one of those no Duh things, huh....
I'm strongly debating the benefits of self-jumping... It'd definitely be a plus in a pinch, but I'm torn at this point as to whether or not I "need" it... - see
"best battery" .
I'm torn between doing the Surepower without the ability to self-jump, but the ability to completely separate the lights, HAM and CB from the starting battery versus the Hellroaring with selfjumping but all loads recommended on the starting battery... any input would be great.... I'm thinking I may go with the Surepower just from the cost standpoint... What should i use for a primary and secondary if I was to go with the Surepower? probably two of the same, Huh?
With the Surepower, you can selfjump, can't you? Just use Jumper Cables right? Just checking....
I'm strongly debating the benefits of self-jumping... It'd definitely be a plus in a pinch, but I'm torn at this point as to whether or not I "need" it... - see
"best battery" .
I'm torn between doing the Surepower without the ability to self-jump, but the ability to completely separate the lights, HAM and CB from the starting battery versus the Hellroaring with selfjumping but all loads recommended on the starting battery... any input would be great.... I'm thinking I may go with the Surepower just from the cost standpoint... What should i use for a primary and secondary if I was to go with the Surepower? probably two of the same, Huh?
With the Surepower, you can selfjump, can't you? Just use Jumper Cables right? Just checking....
Not trying to hyjack the thread, but has anyone had any experience with the Sidewinder DBi-120 Isolator? DB-120 Controller
And I just picked up 30 ft of 2/0 welding wire, I plan to use this for the battery connection, winch leads and a rear mounted power inverter (2000w cont, 4000w peak). Should I ground the aux battery to the frame as well as the starting battery? or just hook them together, it seems like the most restrictive part in my system will be the factory grounds.
And I just picked up 30 ft of 2/0 welding wire, I plan to use this for the battery connection, winch leads and a rear mounted power inverter (2000w cont, 4000w peak). Should I ground the aux battery to the frame as well as the starting battery? or just hook them together, it seems like the most restrictive part in my system will be the factory grounds.
