Is it possiblel to replace the two batteries we have with one large battery? What CCA would it have to be to turn the engine over fast enough? I am going to have to get some soon and it would be great to delete one and have more room for a cold air kit on that side.

 

Not sure, but they make cold air kits for our trucks that will fit right behind the drivers side battery. Or you just just do a regular open filter like the Napa 6637 or similar like many of us already do.

 

Wow, the weight and plate mass would be awfully huge in one battery.

http://www.trojanbattery.com/Products

Interesting question...I wonder if a true deep cycle would solve your question...
I don't know the difference between " Depth of Discharge vs. CCA" other than CCA IMO is a short burst as Depth of Discharge could be a slow or a fast amp draw and thus Deep Cycles will perform better than a traditional Auto battery...

Case in point, One of my "Big BOX' customers...Wa#m%@t...did not want to replace $1200.00 worth of Deep Cycle batteries for their machine, and they thought..." Heck it's a 24 Volt system and we have all sort's of auto batteries here at the store, let's just use them!..." well. they called us a week later to install Deep's as they COOKED the auto 12's.... they tried!

 

I am not saying to put one battery in with the cca's of the current two battery set up. I mean using one battery large enough to start the motor reliably in cold weather, 0-10 F. Is it possible, has anyone tried it?? I had a 91 5.9 with only one battery and it never failed to start in cold weather. I know it had a differnt kind of fuel system, so dont blast me for that. But would it work reliably on our trucks??? I am going to have to replace my batteries soon and would like to know someone else had success before I try it and fail miserably.
I know that there are kits for our trucks and I am aware of the 6637 that alot are using. I am just saying it would open up alot of room on that side and make it easier to fab up a homemade kit.

 

No it won't work in colder temps. The Cummins didn't have glow plugs and didn't have any electronics so that is why it would start with one. The PSD Glow plugs suck a lot of amps then the electronics need enough to make everything happen. Many times here in the north the batteries will crank the truck good but still not supply enough juice for the truck to start.

 

Well, since your in Southern WV I'm sure it stays warm all winter like Southern Carolina so you should be OK. Just messin. It won't work like tjbeggs said. You could remotely mount the driver side battery (or both) into the bed, or under the truck w/ a drop down battery box & some Ultma's. I'm looking into the under option when I can afford the boxes or make my own.

 

I never thought about not having enough juice for the electronics. That explains why my truck wont start, spins ok but not enough for everything else, each battery shows 13 v and the alternator is charging but they are going on 8 yrs so guess I got my money out of them. Thanks guys.

 

A member on here (Fishmandotcom) has both of his mounted in a home-made bracket attached to the outside of the frame under the passenger door.

 

Mine are mounted in the bed. Lots of cable to run with a crew cab but it made so much room in the engine compartment!

 

Does fishmandotcom have a write up or pics?

 

He has some on a separate website somewhere. Send him a PM and he should help you out.

 

Found his site for you... plenty of pictures. If you went with optima's or other spiral/dry cell types you could mount them sideways in that location and get better clearance.

Picasa Web Albums - Jason Cutts - Dual Batterie...

 

i dont have a writeup but here is the original thread.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...single-qs.html

here are some pics i have of the setup in a google pics gallery:
Picasa Web Albums - Jason Cutts - Dual Batterie...

-cutts-

 

Cutts (?) Thanks for the photos, I remember your truck w/ the air line under it, another option I wnt to do. I already upgraded to the red top Optimas (don't plow or offroad) and the bracket you made was one option I was looking @. Another is drop down battery boxes that I saw on a feature truck in a Mag (just can't remember which one). Yet another option i saw was mounting two batts under the bed again in a Mag on a drag diesel truck. Again thanks for the pics.