Adding another battery. I need help.

goval · 11-20-2006, 07:16 AM

I have no idea on the issue, but I'm currently running a 700 and a 150amp amplifier, with 2 off road lights on my brush guard. Soon I'll be adding another off road light on the grill, and also 4 driving lights on my roof.
I definitely need to replace my battery with a bigger one, change the alternator, or add another battery. What I really want to do is add another battery just for the lights, and leave the amps on the factory battery since they don't require a lot of voltage.
When I put my truck on idle with the lights on, I can see the meter drop, but only at iddle. Figure all the stuff running at the same time is too much for the factory battery.

Anyone can help me on this? I need how-to, diagrams, anything that would help on adding another battery.

pi3yeargrad · 11-20-2006, 07:35 AM

shoot, this would help me also... my damn battery keeps dieing... Ima need another battery I think as well...

Im running a 150 watt amp and will be running a 700 watt amp as well...then I got 2 pairs of HIDs, my headrest monitors, my in dash monitors, my PIAAs up front... my battery SUX!!! it died with me puttin gas dude... I was puttin gas this weekend with the door open when I finished it wouldnt turn on... I was PISSED... had a friend haul over and give me cables...lol..then this morning coming to work, it wouldnt start either...

Im thinkin optima, but I dunno...im also thinkin another alternator, but I dunno... how would this 2 battery thing work?

goval · 11-20-2006, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pi3yeargrad

shoot, this would help me also... my damn battery keeps dieing... Ima need another battery I think as well...

Im running a 150 watt amp and will be running a 700 watt amp as well...then I got 2 pairs of HIDs, my headrest monitors, my in dash monitors, my PIAAs up front... my battery SUX!!! it died with me puttin gas dude... I was puttin gas this weekend with the door open when I finished it wouldnt turn on... I was PISSED... had a friend haul over and give me cables...lol..then this morning coming to work, it wouldnt start either...

Im thinkin optima, but I dunno...im also thinkin another alternator, but I dunno... how would this 2 battery thing work?

Someone at the other forum suggested going to a bigger alternator, with more output. But I cannot find one that will fit our trucks.

i<3mytitan · 11-20-2006, 08:26 AM

PM Rcantu, he's added BOTH a new alternator and a battery.

pi3yeargrad · 11-20-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goval

Someone at the other forum suggested going to a bigger alternator, with more output. But I cannot find one that will fit our trucks.

ye they advised me to contact iraggi...do a google and ull find em...

they run about 500 + bucks...

bestatchess · 11-20-2006, 10:37 AM

If you want to make sure you can start the truck, I think you need to use an isolator with the second battery. Otherwise you can just end up with two dead batteries.

Thrust_Titan · 11-20-2006, 11:00 AM

These Powermaster battery isolators are designed to separate the auxiliary battery from the starting battery, to ensure that extra loads will not drain the starting battery. They feature blue anodized aluminum heat sinks for maximum heat dissipation. The battery isolators are available in a 3 or 4-post design, and will work on alternators with up to 200 amp outputs.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
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**Kronos1965** · 11-20-2006, 11:02 AM

I recommend an Optima Yellow Tops to drive both your truck and your goodies.

I think Titanblue may have some experience with alternators and has previously posted on the topic.

As far as an upgraded alternator, aren't you already possessing one that is 136 amps?

bestatchess · 11-20-2006, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kronos1965

As far as an upgraded alternator, aren't you already possessing one that is 136 amps?

The problem is that it doesn't make 136 amps at idle. As a result, a high powered stereo will discharge the battery even with the engine running.

CVTITAN · 11-20-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrust_Titan

These Powermaster battery isolators are designed to separate the auxiliary battery from the starting battery, to ensure that extra loads will not drain the starting battery. They feature blue anodized aluminum heat sinks for maximum heat dissipation. The battery isolators are available in a 3 or 4-post design, and will work on alternators with up to 200 amp outputs.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
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I agree with Thrust Titan. this would be the least expensive and easiest way to go. I was thinking of going this way as well.

TitanBlue · 11-20-2006, 01:04 PM

It is safer to have an isolater to prevent being caught dead, it just depends on how you use (manage) your system. 2 batteries (or more) can be be run in parallel without an isolator. It is common on diesels, small and especially large trucks. Both batteries always share the load. No significant increased load on alternator, to maintain 1 vs 2 batteries. I've increased 2 of our Internationals from 2 to 3 batteries, simply because there was already room in the box, and it saves wear on the starter in cold weather. Battery is cheaper than wasted labor cost.

If buying an isolator, go to mfg website and carefully choose proper size, as too heavy of an isolater will cause poblems too. IIRC, don't go below 60-75 % of isolaters capacity, or go over its capacity either, of course. I hope to install 2 batteries in bed (or underbed) and just run in parallel. I am installing a 1200 Watt invertor, additional lights, but no high power sound system.

Alternators can sometimes be rewound by a local alternator/starter shop for increased capacity, for a very reasonable price.