Dual batteries????
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
Almost all diesel pickups run dual batteries in series, its pretty standard fare. I have no idea why you would have had starter switch issues as they only switch the solenoid trigger, not starter load.
However I currently only run a single in my wheeling rig. I run a group 31 battery(they do fit) and a 130a 3g alt. Only once have I ran out of battery winching, and that was after a solid 45 minutes of double line pulling yanking a Cummins on 37's out of a swamp. My winch is an 8200, which is the 8274's older brother and I have a 6.5 horse motor on it, it really likes its juice...
The alternators huge low rpm output combined with the big reserve capacity of a group 31 gets the job done. I have been planning on adding a second battery for 4 years now but haven't needed it.
One of my friends runs a m12000 front and a m8000 rear, with a dedicated pair of batteries, with their own 130a 3g. Its overkill, but that's how he builds stuff... Lol
However I currently only run a single in my wheeling rig. I run a group 31 battery(they do fit) and a 130a 3g alt. Only once have I ran out of battery winching, and that was after a solid 45 minutes of double line pulling yanking a Cummins on 37's out of a swamp. My winch is an 8200, which is the 8274's older brother and I have a 6.5 horse motor on it, it really likes its juice...
The alternators huge low rpm output combined with the big reserve capacity of a group 31 gets the job done. I have been planning on adding a second battery for 4 years now but haven't needed it.
One of my friends runs a m12000 front and a m8000 rear, with a dedicated pair of batteries, with their own 130a 3g. Its overkill, but that's how he builds stuff... Lol
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
"I once wired two batteries in parallel ... and it didn't take long before I started burning up electrical parts. I suppose I was hitting them with to many amps."
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
OK in that example yes, voltage is voltage and draw is draw.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Tedster is right (and I think BruteFord is agreeing) that putting more batteries in correctly will not increase the current or burn anything up. The exception would be if the batteries were wired in series, they would then give double the voltage which would give double the current. But otherwise they'll just give the same current as a single battery, but they'll give it twice as long.
And while I'm here, there is a disadvantage to solid state battery isolators in that they have about a 0.7V voltage drop, so you won't get as much voltage into either battery using one. The relay-style isolators don't have that problem, but they draw current, create heat and can go bad, so they aren't perfect either. Wiring the batteries directly in parallel avoids all of those problems, but doesn't give the backup system desired, and it can (depending on the batteries) allow the two batteries to discharge each other while just sitting there. So none of the setups are perfect. My personal preference is the relay, but both of the other systems work well for a lot of people, so I'm not bashing anyone's choice.
And while I'm here, there is a disadvantage to solid state battery isolators in that they have about a 0.7V voltage drop, so you won't get as much voltage into either battery using one. The relay-style isolators don't have that problem, but they draw current, create heat and can go bad, so they aren't perfect either. Wiring the batteries directly in parallel avoids all of those problems, but doesn't give the backup system desired, and it can (depending on the batteries) allow the two batteries to discharge each other while just sitting there. So none of the setups are perfect. My personal preference is the relay, but both of the other systems work well for a lot of people, so I'm not bashing anyone's choice.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 6
Great replies, guys. I do have one question, though. If you were to have a high output alternator(130A) with a single battery. Wouldn't this be enough, especially if the alternator wire is hooked up at the starter solenoid(I'm referring to my dent, of course)? Wouldn't the demand be going directly from the alternator to the winch(in this case)?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Great replies, guys. I do have one question, though. If you were to have a high output alternator(130A) with a single battery. Wouldn't this be enough, especially if the alternator wire is hooked up at the starter solenoid(I'm referring to my dent, of course)? Wouldn't the demand be going directly from the alternator to the winch(in this case)?
Is a dual battery setup necessary? Almost certainly not. But is it a reasonable safety factor to add if you want it? Sure.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
It's usually enough for most people. But a winch will draw more than 130 amps (4.5 hp at 12V is about 280 amps), so even if you are spinning your engine fast enough for the alternator to make full power you will be drawing down your battery during a heavy pull. Is that a problem? It depends on how long you do it. Generally you don't winch that long, the battery doesn't lose that much and it recovers once you stop winching. But if you do a long pull you could wear a single battery down, and if you stall the engine (or if the voltage goes so low that it stalls the engine) you won't be able to restart with a single battery.
Is a dual battery setup necessary? Almost certainly not. But is it a reasonable safety factor to add if you want it? Sure.
Is a dual battery setup necessary? Almost certainly not. But is it a reasonable safety factor to add if you want it? Sure.
I'd add the risk of needing to winch while the engine isn't running. For example it's not uncommon to drive into a water hole that looks ok and the next thing you know you're hood deep. Have to get out without running the engine and still have enough juice to get the engine running again.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 629
Likes: 189
From: Southeastern US
Last edited by 2015 F-350; Oct 27, 2024 at 03:31 PM. Reason: Moved to Super Duty Forum
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
plowboy2
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Jan 23, 2009 11:58 AM
bigbrown84truck
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
11
Mar 2, 2007 09:57 PM
78bigunns
Garage & Workshop
5
Nov 18, 2002 02:32 AM