dual battery setup

[xdgedgex]

i want to do this now while i have the time, and 2 batteries, plus it will help out with my new winch.
I was wondering if anyone has done this setup and could help tell me how to do it the easiest way without to many solenoids and relays. im hoping i can squeze both under the hood , but might have to put one in the way back and run wires to the engine compartmen.
thanks guys

Doug

[bchcky]

go to the "your ride" section of the NAGCA forum and check out cue-ball's rig. he's got a dual battery set up in his zj. looks clean. do you have the 4.0 or 5.2?

that picture is obviously before he hooked up the second battery, but the only difference would be wires, you can imagine that.

[jps4jeep]

if you run optima's, put both in the back in battery boxes for better weight distrobution.

[Tooch]

Here is an intersting way to do a dual set-up.

<url>http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/dual_battery/my_dual_battery_setup.htm</url>

[XfaCtoR]

jps4jeep said:

if you run optima's, put both in the back in battery boxes for better weight distrobution.

are you looking for a beter lonch for those short hill climbs..

you dont realy need all the BS to go with it.. pos to pos neg to the frame and block and youll be fine..or if you want to swtich them get a keyed batery switch from CAT or a regul one from sumit or jegs and put it inline with the pos jumper

[slab42]

do a dual optima, but remember, use two identical batteries with identical age (i.e. both new) so one is not causing a parasitic draw on the other.

[jeepininmaine]

how about a dual optima set up with the batteries isolated from each other and one dedicated just for winch duty?

[xdgedgex]

that pic is a 4.0L and i have the v8, which is alot less room in the engine compartment. i wasnt exactly planning on buying optimas right now, but i may just hold off until i can afford them, since everyone is saying i need 2 identical batteries, which i dont have the same age ones right now. Is it that big of a deal though?

[JoGumby]

If you have 2 different age/type batteries wired together they will always drain to the weaker batteries level. If 1 battery fails it will continuosly drain the other battery til it is dead also. Wiring 2 batteries will double available amp power & leason the load a single battery would have. Setup would still require same load from alternator to recharge though. I'm not a winch expert by any means but wouldnt a single battery work just fine? I think the load wouldnt be too damaging on a single battery. I use a plow on my YJ and am guessing It sux more power than a winch. At least my alt guage doesnt drop significantly & radio cutout during winching unlike heavy plow usage.

[SPYDER]

in reality you want two brand new batteries. But if you are using optimas, you sould have a red and a yellow. the red will be your primary and the yellow will be for reserve/winching. if you go to optima's site they have a ton of info.

[rich]

do you really need two batteries? i run a exide batt & a 60 amp alternator and have no problem with my 9000#winch

[jps4jeep]

Dual batteries are a little over kill, I have a 8 year old red top thats been in 3 vehicles, a original alternator, and I still winch run lights, heater, Stereo with 3 amps etc... I will be putting duel duel purpore blue tops in, but that is only cause I will be putting in an onboard welder and will need all that juice.

[bluerocket]

Its simple math in the end, My alt puts out 115amps, the winch draws 300amps. Net loss in the charging system when under heavy line loads. Dual batteries will not prevent this, but rather give you a longer duty cycle while winching.

[rich]

you said duty ;D

[Derek33]

i did this in plans to run a dual battery setup once i get some offroad lights.



i should have enough room where the stock air box was.