| Author | Message | ||
     Jason Gustavson (Prescottj) Senior Member Username: Prescottj Post Number: 527 Registered: 12-2002 |
Would I run into any problems if running different colored tops. I have a redtop in the garage and I want to run a dual setup with a yellow. I don't think it will be a problem but i'm pretty weak in the electrical department. | ||
| Will Roeder (Will_roeder) Senior Member Username: Will_roeder Post Number: 588 Registered: 02-2002 |
its fine.... | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 113 Registered: 10-2002 |
I may be wrong, but if you are charging two batteries that are not the same, you will need an isolator of sorts, so when the battery that charges first,Does not continue to be charged while the slower batt needs the charge, i think that you could overheat/fry one batt doing it that way. the batts need (isolaters) on ea one. I may be wrong in the terminology dept, but you get my drift?! Peter | ||
| Lawrence Tilly (L_tilly) Member Username: L_tilly Post Number: 127 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jason, I know people in the autosound circles that do what you are suggesting. The redtop (IIRC) is good to power your accessories (amps in their case, lights/winch in ours) and the yellow for keeping your rig running. Hook your fuse block up to the red, put a quality isolator between them, and you should be all set. Lawrence lnctilly@metrocast.net 96 Disco "Beowulf" NH, USA | ||
| thom mathie (Muskyman) Senior Member Username: Muskyman Post Number: 233 Registered: 11-2002 |
as willy wonka once said "wait stop..reverse that" | ||
| Eric N (Grnrvr) Senior Member Username: Grnrvr Post Number: 1289 Registered: 02-2002 |
I think that you would want to run the red top to start your rig and keep it running. You would want to use the yellow top for all your, lights, winch, and any other acces you have. If you are using two different types of batteries you are going to want to get an isolater. However, if you run the exact same type, make, and brand of battery you can do without the isolator and wire them either in parallel or in series. | ||
| Mike Rupp (Mike_rupp) Member Username: Mike_rupp Post Number: 176 Registered: 02-2002 |
Eric, correct me if I'm wrong, but if you wired the batteries in series wouldn't you end up with 24 volts? I'd think you'd have to run in parallel to keep voltage the same. | ||
| John Davies (John_davies2) New Member Username: John_davies2 Post Number: 19 Registered: 02-2003 |
The main problem with two batteries and no isolator: if one battery fails (such as a shorted cell due to excessive sulfidation) it will self-discharge and simultaneously bring down the good battery. You end up with two dead batteries - one permanently dead, and the other possibly damaged due to its total discharge. Not even a deep cycle battery can tolerate total discharge very many times before being damaged. If you decide to run two batteries and no isolator, the batteries must be the same type, size and age, and preferably the same brand, to avoid problems with the weaker battery lowering the state of charge of the stronger battery. For most owners an isolator from an RV supply or hitch shop would work just fine. If you are a control freak you can install a marine battery selector switch. If you buy the locking model, you can totally disable your rig (but would have to rewire the security system to keep it alive). http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001 &langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=50114 I don't know if a 400 amp/ 5 minute rating would be enough for prolonged winch use. My guess is your battery would be drained or your winch fried before you overheated the switch. | ||
| Jason Gustavson (Prescottj) Senior Member Username: Prescottj Post Number: 528 Registered: 12-2002 |
Good thing I just didn't go do it. I'm going to go look at isolater's today. I rather go that route than have 2 dead optimas  . And because the cheap bastard in me refuses to go buy 2 new batteries and do it the right way I'll try the isolater and if it fails at least I will know not to do that again and I'll turn them in under the 3 year replacement warranty  . I'll let you guys know if my batteries die. Anyway it is finnaly a nice day in Washington and I got a lot of work to catch up on the truck | ||
| Eric N (Grnrvr) Senior Member Username: Grnrvr Post Number: 1290 Registered: 02-2002 |
Mike, I don't know if it would or not. I have seen some folks do it to run their car stereos. I had 4 deep cycles connected in parallel to run my stereo in one of my old cars along with an iso and a starter battery. I personnally have never tried running them in series but, I have seen it rigged like that. If it was me I would get the iso and a switch. But, then right now I just run my winch off of my red top with no other battery. | ||
| Lawrence Tilly (L_tilly) Member Username: L_tilly Post Number: 128 Registered: 02-2002 |
Hey, I said "If I Remember Correctly"!! Obviously, I didn't. Red Top for ignition, Yellow Top for accessories, I guess. -Lawrence | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 200 Registered: 10-2002 |
Yellow tops can get drained completely over and over again. The figure I got from optima was something like 300 times as opposed to 3 on a red top. | ||
| Daniel Covaciu (Danielcovaciu) Member Username: Danielcovaciu Post Number: 82 Registered: 10-2002 |
So if you just want to upgrade your battery with a single optima than you get the red top, correct? Dan | ||
| Neil Flanagan (Electriceel) Member Username: Electriceel Post Number: 62 Registered: 02-2002 |
There are plenty of folks running yellow tops as a primary. Some even running blue tops(marine) to get the extra set of terminals. | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 592 Registered: 09-2002 |
it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that two batteries in series will produce 24V. Dan, you can use any Optima as a replacement for a stock one. Red will crank the very cold engine easier, yellow will do it slower but longer, blue even slower but longer. Any one will start it. | ||
| Daniel Covaciu (Danielcovaciu) Member Username: Danielcovaciu Post Number: 83 Registered: 10-2002 |
So you can run either a red or yellow top? Sorry to highjack the tread but by battery is just about finished and I wanted to upgrade to a single optima. I'm not sure if I need the yellow or the red. Now it sounds like either will work. Which is the best all around. I have some lights and will soon have a winch too but I dont want a dual optima setup. Any reccomendations on which one I should go with? Thanks, Dan | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 168 Registered: 10-2002 |
"Each OPTIMA Yellow Top Deep Cycle Battery is rated at 120 minutes of Reserve Capacity at a 25 Amp draw. If your customer is planning on using their OTPIMA in a trolling motor that pulls 50 Amps, they will only get 60 minutes of run time. If they require more run time you need to install multiple batteries in parallel." ...In other words the yellow top is the best battery if you plan on using lights, stereo, etc. without the engine running and the alternator charging the battery. The Yellow top can be completely drained and re-charged 300 times before it will start having problems while the Red top can only stand 50 times. The reserve capacity on the Red top is 104 minutes vs. the 120 on the Yellow as stated above. The best prices on the Optima batteries here including free shipping I paid $135 for my Red top when the Yellow Top was $171...you can get the Yellow for $140 at the above link. | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 594 Registered: 09-2002 |
Jason, are you shitting me about two 12-volt batteries? Does your statement apply to two batteries in series? Dan, yellow top will take you home from farther away when your alternator dies. The red top will start your engine at colder temperatures (or will allow more cranking if something ain't right). The differences are really minimal, so if you aren't planning on spending the night camping with all the lights and stereo on, get the red top at Costco at $99. | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 169 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sorry, I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I said the two batteries in series wouldn't be 24 volts, I've been up for 36 hours and guess I have gone completely nuts due to sleep deprivation...I took an ohm meter and tested two batteries in-line and yes the voltage will add up. If you didn't read my post that I have since deleted then don't worry about this one | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 595 Registered: 09-2002 |
ROTFL, that's a nice feature of DW! | ||
| john vigg (Johnvigg) Member Username: Johnvigg Post Number: 42 Registered: 11-2002 |
i have everything mounted up in my truck for dual batteries, but when you start the truck, the altenator doesnt charge and the tach doesnt work till you rev the truck up to about 3500 RPM, is there a wire i need to run back to the altenator? The isolator is hooked up properly, and the truck starts fine. Just no juice out of the altenator till i stand on the gas. Any thoughts?? |
