| Author | Message | ||
     Ray Gerber (Raygerber) Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 123 Registered: 09-2002 |
Doing research on how I want to go about going to a dual battery set up and wanted to see if anyone had any knowledge or opinions about: http://www.painlessperformance.com/battacc.htm Either setup seems to be worthwhile, I like the three modes where it can be parallel to use while started, isolated, or self-jumping and the heavy duty/waterproof setup seems to be a worthwhile expense. The price seems comperable to Hellroaring's isolater but I can't estimate the difference in quality. Any comments? | ||
| Rans (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 602 Registered: 08-2002 |
Ray, I'm doing the same research, and everyone that has a dual setup has told me not to bother with isolators and such as they rob you of some of the batteries power. If the batteries are the same kind and age there should be no issues of wiring them in parellel and getting all that you want. I was skeptical, but am taking this route after hearing it from so many sources. I can always add to it later if I have problems. | ||
| Ray Gerber (Raygerber) Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 124 Registered: 09-2002 |
I've followed the discussions about the robbing of power and such, I guess its just the paranoia in me that points toward some kind of management/isolation system. The best piece of write-up I have seen regarding it was this: http://www.landroverstuff.com/odyssey.htm That's what led me down the road of examining other options besides Hellroaring just to compare quality, ease of instal, etc. | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 1126 Registered: 02-2003 |
rans when you said "everyone" you must have missed a few people. problem with your setup rans is you can still leave something "on" or running in the truck and come home to find a dead battery. i'll be running an engel fridge day and night. i can avoid the hassle of a dead battery with an isolator. also my drive to work is so short i never really get a good charge during the week. i have the http://www.hellroaring.com/ system but i have not installed it as i am still saving up for a bad ass battery to go with it. rd | ||
| Ray Gerber (Raygerber) Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 125 Registered: 09-2002 |
I guess the biggest question I have at this point is-how much power is really lost through the isolater, and does it make a huge difference? Right now I have a single yellow top, and I was planning on moving that over to handle the winch and lights as the secondary battery (and maybe one day the fridge and such) and get either a second yellow top or a red top for starting and the vehicle's normal needs. I'm in the same boat as far as saving up for the battery-any way you shake it I guess I will be dropping about $350 to make this happen so I want to have the most info I can before dropping the cash. | ||
| Rans (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 603 Registered: 08-2002 |
I'm by no means an expert on this Rob, still working my way thru the vast amount of info and trying to sort the wheat from the chaf so to speak. Now that YOU have told me something other than what others have told me I certainly cannot say "everyone"!  I was told by someone that Surefire was the best in isolators, seperators and tenders: http://www.surepower.com/Products/batiso.asp I can't say if it is or isn't....just going to approach this one step at a time. | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Dweb Lounge Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 2074 Registered: 02-2002 |
Thanks for posting those sources guys. You just helped me out big time. | ||
| Greg (Gparrish) Senior Member Username: Gparrish Post Number: 1458 Registered: 04-2002 |
Well, if you want to have a back up battery and the option to run one, both, or either, you could always just install a heavy duty marine switch on them. It works this way on my boat without a problem. Just a thought. gp | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 1127 Registered: 02-2003 |
i guess it's up to the user as always. the marine solution still has the same flaw to me. i simply do not want a dead battery. i very often leave my lights on and things turned on. i want the comfort of knowing i have a nice fresh spare battery sitting there. this guy should have more than enough juice. http://www.batterymart.com/battery.mv?p=ODY-PC1700MJT and i'lll keep my standard battery waiting off to the side. | ||
| Jaime (Blueboy) Senior Member Username: Blueboy Post Number: 782 Registered: 02-2002 |
another advantage of an isolator is to allow you to have different age, type, etc battery in the mix as in RD's example vs having to be almost identical when in parallel. this is a nice feature as you only then need one additional battery whether new or in decent condition for the dual set-up. Jaime | ||
| Greg (Gparrish) Senior Member Username: Gparrish Post Number: 1462 Registered: 04-2002 |
I have twin batteries that are differing types installed without a problem. I usually always run in 2 battery mode, but if I'm going to sit or do something without the alternator, I switch over to a specific battery. That way the other battery is still there to crank the motor. When under way, run from two batteries. You could simply wire your fridge outlet and winch to the second battery. Keep it charged by running in two battery mode, but if letting one run without the engine, switch over to that battery. May not be eloquent, but it can be made to work. |
