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Message |
    
Mac
Junior Member
Username: Mac
Post Number: 16
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 5:39 am: | 
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I have one battery under the hood, but I want to add one in the trunk. I need to know how to hook one up. Can some one please tell me how to do it. Thank you. |
738
Intermediate Member
Username: 738
Post Number: 127
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 8:52 am: |
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The proper way to do it is buy a Battery isolator, and a deep cycle battery. The isolater is installed by cutting the charge wire from the alternator, and connecting it to the isolator. Then the isolators wires go to each battery, then they are both charged. Run your stuff off the one in the trunk, and if it goes dead your starting battery will still be charged, or just run heavy gage wires to the one in the trunk... |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 4673
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 9:33 pm: |
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yes & no.....while that is how to run 2 batteries to do what 738 states, if you're looking to run 2 batteries to power an amp, finding an isolator that handles that amount of current might be tough. anyway, you need to.....
1. if you have to ask, make sure you are sure of what you're doing before setting the car aflame
2. how big is the amp, what kind of car & what size alternator?
3. best bet is 2 of the SAME type, size, brand & style battery, preferably as close together as possible-under the hood, next best choice is to put the second battery (preferably of sealed construction) right at the amp. if it has to go in the trunk, you need heavier cable then what is under the hood-which probably needs to be replaced anyway if you are drawing enough current to require 2 batteries. and you can either run it all the way back to the 1st battery, to the alternator charge wire or just to the amp....in which case you are risking cut cables, shorts, fires, etc, without a fairly sophisticated fuse system.
4. do you HAVE to do it this way? not at all. i have done it incorrectly more then once years ago & lucked out by NOT having any meltdowns. on the other hand, i have done it absolutely the right way AND have had fireworks, as well as NEAR fireworks many more times. so....
5. re-read #'s 1 & 2, tell us your plans, & we can give some better & more specific answers. |
Press_man
Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 65
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 3:55 pm: |
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I've run as high as 6 batteries at a time but with a Sweet 16. The system was setup w/2 alternators to keep the van seperate from the radio equipment. I used a salvaged system from a troop carrier so no guess work.
I guess the best system is like most will tell you is to figure the use, its requirements. ie;
how many watts will you run, how big is your present charging system, can it be upgraded on a budget without adding anything other than an alternator diode kit to increase amps? And then only if really needed!
Try to keep your hobby just that. You can have a lot of fun with a good radio and 350 watts. Most of all, if you're not sure what you're doing, hire a good tech to do it. Don't risk life and limb to be the biggest gun!
Wally/Pressman/KC4ZWM
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