What is the best dual Battery setup?

[Americanrider]

I'm looking to upgrade from single batt to twin Optima red-tops in preparation for adding a 12000 lb winch and driving/fog lights. I've read a bunch of old threads as well as other 4x4 sites for rock-krawlers & such. I would like to run Batt#1 as a primary starter & basic funtions and Batt#2 as backup thats looped into the charging system. Then both online when I run the winch & extra lights. Is there any aftermarket setup that is hands-down the best?

Thanks,

[1972]

I don't know of any place that sells a kit to do what you want. If you don't mind making your own cables and doing a little wiring I can tell you a slick way to do what you want.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

I don't know of any after market wiring kits either but if you go and get the wire and keep is simple and tidy it should not be too bad. Good Luck!
-Peace

[Prerunner1982]

there ya go... the first one is an article....

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/64418/

http://www.hellroaring.com/4wheel.htm

[nu2-72]

Many of the off-roaders also use the two batteries as a 24 volt welding source. You have to make sure to isolate the system from the 24 volts while you are doing welding but works pretty slick if you are broke down in the boonies.

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by Americanrider

I'm looking to upgrade from single batt to twin Optima red-tops in preparation for adding a 12000 lb winch and driving/fog lights. I've read a bunch of old threads as well as other 4x4 sites for rock-krawlers & such. I would like to run Batt#1 as a primary starter & basic funtions and Batt#2 as backup thats looped into the charging system. Then both online when I run the winch & extra lights. Is there any aftermarket setup that is hands-down the best?...

I need to research dual battery setups myself. Just for comparison purposes, peruse Wrangler NW Power Products pages for their dual battery setups. There are other companies besides Painless & Wrangler NW that offer dual battery setups. Also check with NAPA and other parts stores. IIRC, NAPA carries parts for dual battery setups beyond just isolators. Worth a price and parts availabilty comparison.

I think 4wheelers should avoid using both batteries for winching. What to do if winching drains both batteries and the engine stalls? Stuck city unless a buddy lends a jump. Reserve using both batteries for winching in dire emergencies, especially if alone. Also, if one battery is not enough for a 1200# winch, the charging system needs upgrading. A single battery and the charging system should maintain charge long enough for a planetary winch to overheat before losing enough charge for continued winching.

With regard to your battery choices, Optima's Red Tops should not be used for winching. The total drains that winching sometimes entails will ruin Red Tops which are infamous for being temperamental when being recharged after having been drained near completely. I have ruined one red top due to letting the charge drop to 4volts. Dedicate a deep cycle battery to the winch, whether it's an Optima yellow top, blue top, or any other deep cycle battery.

For an alternative comparison to Optimas, consider Hawker Odessy batteries that combine deep cycle and starting qualities into one battery. I think the PC1200MJT fits 67-72 battery trays. Hawker Odessy's home page.

AFAIK, the Optimas with "spiral wound" acid-impregnated fiberglass matting have superior vibration resistance while the Odessys with milspec plates have superior starting, cycle, & charging characteristics. I'm not sure about that, though. I need to do more research.

[diggy]

ttt....

[Americanrider]

Heres' a story on a guy who did his own dual batt setup. In the article Billa Vista asked an expert Dave Kamp about mis-matching batteries, one reg & one deep cycle. (link at bottom from Pirate 4x4)

DAVE:"The deep-cycle has thick plates, and is intended for deep discharge over a long period of time, not deep discharge at high current. If you're running your headlights 'till it's dead, the deep-cycle will survive more charge/discharges, but DC's can't handle high-current without damage... and sometimes they'll explode."

BILLA:Bummer is, I thought it would be groovy to be able to switch to "both" and be able to winch with the power of both batteries??

DAVE: oh yeah- I crank with both batteries- no problem... make sure you've got similar batteries, though- so you don't draw one down faster than the other- the imbalance is hard on 'em. and boats with multiple batteries usually also have an isolator block, to allow charging two batteries at the same time, without bridging the two together. (I.e., if one is dead, and the other fully charged, 'bridging' would cause one battery to rapidly discharge into the other, causing a very dangerous situation). You'd be better off winching with a large cranking battery, rather than a deep-cycle, though- the deep-cycle has thick plates, and is intended for deep discharge over a long period of time, not deep discharge at high current.

BILL: I have both a high power automotive cranking battery (Energizer 900 amps/750 cca) and an energizer deep cycle marine 700 marine ca/550 cca - 140 reserve (dunno what the 140 refers to). I figured by having both types I could exploit the strengths of both depending on the situation, but it's becoming clear I have no real understanding of what I'm up to! :-)

DAVE: Use the high-CCA battery- it's internal resistance is lower. Deep cycles don't do high discharge rates... they'll push a 10A load for days, but don't like pushing a 100A load for more than a minute...

**Thats why I'm going with 2 red tops, they where cheaper than Hawkers and easier to get [$91 each @Costco] I'm looking more into the Hellroaring setup but it's a lot of cash. I've already laid out close to $300 in batteries and a new powermaster 70/100 Alternator and I still have to buy cables.**


Here is the link for the whole story:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...tery_setup.htm

[4x4Poet]

Man, Billa Vista finds out the deep facts, doesn't he? Learn something new everyday, though I would have thought the many wheelers who run deep cycle winch batteries would have reported problems now and then from winching efforts. Maybe I missed it. Could be a good poll.

I still would consider the temperamental charging characteristics of the red top Optimas before making your battery purchase. Pirate has had several threads on red top Optima charging problems. Now I wonder if Hawker Odysseys, which have the characteristics of both starting and deep cycle batteries, can handle high-current discharge during winching operations. Time for more research.

[Burt4x4]

I have been using dual post Red tops and Hellroaring Combiner/Isolater for about 6-7 years now. I use my winch alot wheeling as I watch my buddys try the hard stuff then pull them out. I have used my winch pulling our HUGE duck blind out of the lake too. My first red top was bought in 95 and the second was bought in 98. BOTH batteries are still running strong with no issues.
The real test is about to happen, I pulled my 350 out last Feb to upgrade to a FI454. I am about to fire up my 454 for the first time. The batts have been sittting on my work bench this whole time and both still read 12v. I was thinking of putting my charger on them for a short time.

Anyway I just wanted to let you know I have not had any issues with my Red Tops and I would recomend you look at www.hellroaring.com lots of great info and a great product that is super easy to install.
Good Luck
Burt

[Americanrider]

What alternator & winch did you run with the 350? Where did you mount the second batt? I scored a Powermaster 1 wire 70/100. I think it should handle the job and the price was right, only $75 from a Pirate 4x4 board member. Considering NAPA wants $68 for the stock 64amp re-man.

[Burt4x4]

At first I ran a 120amp, it was a custom build by a local autoelectric shop that rebuilt altenators and other stuff..it died a few years back so I bought a PowerMaster 140amp, one wire. Works great. Your 100amp should be fine as long as you don't have a bunch of stuff on all at once.
The second batt in my 72 sits on the driver's side in a factory tray. GM put driverside trays in some pickups. I got mine from an old web site called blazernet.com but that is long gone now.
It was a while ago so I don't remember what he told me he got it out of, probly a 1ton utility truck 67-72 era. It looks just like the pass side tray just opposite.
Here is a pic

I thought I had one with the batts in..oh well...
Good luck and if you need more info just ask
Burt

[Burt4x4]

Oh ya and my winch is a Warn HS9500i, love it!

[gn4u2c]

I am running a 2 battey setup out of a diesel truck with 2 850 cca ac delco batterys been that way for 4 years no problems I have a 75 amp alt nothing special and a 12,000 warn winch I have cycled the cable 2 full 100 foot pulls to get out of swamp and the winch was still pulling strong. So no need for all that fancy stuff basic stock componets working for me
I do have the dual battery trays (spare ) for our trucks if you need a set contact me.

[Americanrider]

Just scored a 250 Amp weather resistant Painless Dual Battery wire kit on E-bay for $108 counting shipping. Woo-Hoo!
4-Wheel Parts wanted $189 & shipping.....