Simple Dual Battery System

[Beowulf]

So even though there were no flaws in the actual space shuttle, the operating specs were not followed, leading to the disasters.

Point taken and this makes my point. If you want a simple dual battery system then you must operate it within the "specs" of your design; otherwise you can get lotsa smoke & sparks. Best case is you have 2 dead batteries. Worst case is you burn up your truck, your home, and your prized possessions... whatever those may be.

-B-

 

[Boston Mangler]

Kevin,

With all due respect... you also have no fuses or circuit breakers shown in that simple diagram and installing that much 2 gauge wiring without fusing is asking for a melt-down. If someone is saying "show me how to do this" and you post up an official-looking diagram, then there are people that will duplicate the above wiring on their trucks.

-B-

No Problem Beo

The diagram is going to be updated soon!

I have (2) 200 amp fuses sitting here waiting to install! The schematic will be updated accordingly!

Yes, fuses are VERY important, sorry if that wasnt clear!

 

[rusty_tlc]

No Problem Beo

The diagram is going to be updated soon!

I have (2) 200 amp fuses sitting here waiting to install! The schematic will be updated accordingly!

Yes, fuses are VERY important, sorry if that wasnt clear!

The down side to your design is you can only charge one battery at a time.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Not at all!

If i switch it to BOTH it charges both!

 

[rusty_tlc]

Not at all!

If i switch it to BOTH it charges both!

Thats the problem with "graphical" schematics.

 

[Trollhole]

simple and it works now that my alt is grounded.

Charges the battery that needs it the most.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Thats the problem with "graphical" schematics.

????

 

[rusty_tlc]

????

A schematic that uses pictures of the parts rather than schematic symbols.
Don't mind me I'm an EE so I get picky about stupid stuff when it comes to schematics. I didn't have a four pole rotary switch in my Library and didn't want to take time to build one. This is a true schmatic of the switch section of your circuit.

 

[Beowulf]

I have (2) 200 amp fuses sitting here waiting to install! The schematic will be updated accordingly!

Great! Yours is now my favorite of the "simple" designs.

For those of you considering solenoids, be sure to select one that has a seperate ground (i.e. not one that grounds through the metal case of the solenoid.) Those are dangerous depending on how they are wired.

-B-

 

[Rich]

A schematic that uses pictures of the parts rather than schematic symbols.
Don't mind me I'm an EE so I get picky about stupid stuff when it comes to schematics. I didn't have a four pole rotary switch in my Library and didn't want to take time to build one. This is a true schmatic of the switch section of your circuit.

Rusty, your schematic is not correct. It shows all three hot switch positions as being connected to both batteries.

 

[Greg B]

[BeoRant]
Nothing wrong with a simple design and everyone is posting their ideas and stating that each solution works great for them. Always keep in mind that these solutions will work up to the point that they don't work.

A case in point might illustrate: NASA flew dozens of Space Shuttle flights and the O-rings worked every single time.... up to the point in time when they didn't work. I believe they fixed that and then NASA flew dozens of missions and the tile insulation worked every single time.... up to the point in time when it didn't work.

I strongly feel that you must plan for the worst case scenario when you are hooking two high amperage batteries together and you should wait until you can spend the $$$ to do it right.

[/BeoRant]

-B-

Not looking for cheap design necessarily. I'm looking for the most simple design. I'm not very good with electronics in general and I want to build a setup that I can be confident in for my needs. Price is not the issue here. So far, I'm leaning to one of the most expensive ways only because it seems to be the most basic set up. Thanks to all that have posted their opinions and ideas.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Rusty, your schematic is not correct. It shows all three hot switch positions as being connected to both batteries.

You are correct. I don't have the correct switch symbol in my schematic capture libarary.

Edit:fixed it.

 

[eetdirt47]

what about a simple isolator?

200 AMP DUAL BATTERY MULTI ISOLATOR W EXCITER NEW 48162 | eBay

 

[eetdirt47]

wow i didn't realize how old this thread is