Dual battery thread...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 289
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From: The Show Me State
Guys,
To be honest, I was considering using all OPTIMA brand batteries, starter for primary and deep cycle for accessories. I've had great luck with 'em, even if they are a little "pricey".
The point about two in parallel for the accessories is good, but then we roll back around to the start of the thread; where can I put 'em besides in the passenger compartment? I should probably stay with just the two to avoid additional complexity...
Plastic battery boxes! Should I put the battery located under-body on the frame in a box or leave it out?
DadVan
To be honest, I was considering using all OPTIMA brand batteries, starter for primary and deep cycle for accessories. I've had great luck with 'em, even if they are a little "pricey".
The point about two in parallel for the accessories is good, but then we roll back around to the start of the thread; where can I put 'em besides in the passenger compartment? I should probably stay with just the two to avoid additional complexity...
Plastic battery boxes! Should I put the battery located under-body on the frame in a box or leave it out?
DadVan
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I have seen them mounted in plastic battery boxes under a workbench. I am not familiar with the Optima brand.
When you wire two in parallel use a configuration like this:
+lead ---- + ----- +
............... B ...... B
............... - ------ - ------ lead-
(Ignore the dots. )
Each battery then has the same number of connections that way
Each connection represents a voltage drop. If all the connections are good and of equal resistance each battery "sees" the same series load resistance as every other battery in the bank. This helps keep them matched.
When you wire two in parallel use a configuration like this:
+lead ---- + ----- +
............... B ...... B
............... - ------ - ------ lead-
(Ignore the dots. )
Each battery then has the same number of connections that way
Each connection represents a voltage drop. If all the connections are good and of equal resistance each battery "sees" the same series load resistance as every other battery in the bank. This helps keep them matched.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: The Show Me State
Torque1st,
Thanks for the insights! Optima was the "original" maker of spiral-wound automotive batteries and still does a great job. They sell for around $120 in this neck of the woods, but there's little to go wrong with them over a longer service life. I liken them to "gel-cells for cars" kinda thing.
DadVan
Thanks for the insights! Optima was the "original" maker of spiral-wound automotive batteries and still does a great job. They sell for around $120 in this neck of the woods, but there's little to go wrong with them over a longer service life. I liken them to "gel-cells for cars" kinda thing.
DadVan
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Ok
gel-cell all the way but what do you think about stinger? I have used their power dist equiptment for over 2years now, and I have never had less than stellar results. Depending on style, they can run as high as the optimas but I feel that they putperform them. definitly use two of the same battery tho.
russ
russ
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: The Show Me State
Guys,
One of the reasons to go with an OPTIMA "regular" for starting and an OPTIMA deep cycle for accessories is being able to stay in the same family of batteries sharing very similar characteristics despite having very different uses.
I've never tried a Stinger... Who makes 'em?
DadVan
One of the reasons to go with an OPTIMA "regular" for starting and an OPTIMA deep cycle for accessories is being able to stay in the same family of batteries sharing very similar characteristics despite having very different uses.
I've never tried a Stinger... Who makes 'em?
DadVan
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
There is another web site that specializes in 12 volt systems. www.the12volt.com It seems to be for the car audio / alarm installer or serious enthusiast. I read on there forum that you need or should have a battery isolator, which is basically a one way valve, saving your main battery. I hope that I am not braking any rule of this forum in posting there site.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: The Show Me State
Arundo,
Heavens no! You'd only "break" the "rules" of the forum if you *didn't* disclose all your knowledge! It's great when you tell us everything you know, that's what makes these "discussions" so beneficial.
DadVan
Heavens no! You'd only "break" the "rules" of the forum if you *didn't* disclose all your knowledge! It's great when you tell us everything you know, that's what makes these "discussions" so beneficial.
DadVan
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
I don't know if this will help any. It is a pic of my factory option 2nd battery;
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=34286&width=2
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=34286&width=2
Trailering
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Many years ago I fabricated my own second battery holder for my van. It hung off the frame, somewhere behind the driver's seat (outside, underneath the van, you understand) and was in a "corner" where a cross piece joined the frame rail. You want to be on the same side as the main battery. I used a battery tray and made two straps, in a "U" shape to hold it up. I used strapping metal used for diagonal bracing in new housing construction. It's strong enough, yet pliable enough, has a hole every inch or so, and is even galvanized. Use self-drilling (Tek) screws to attach to frame and van floor, or whatever. You will want to secure the back battery hold-down bolt (the one against the frame cross member) as it is damn near impossible to hook it "blind". Check the hangers every so often, because (obviously)they're all that's holding the battery up. Mine lasted about 100K or so with no problems, but you don't want to lose that thing!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 137
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dual battery
I know there was an earlier post on this, and I'm not sure where it left off. I just purchased a 2004 E350 that has an optional "HD Auxilary Battery". when I investigated, I found it is located under the side cargo door and outside of the frame rail. upon speaking with the dealer parts dept. I have discovered that all the parts from the actual battery, cables, metal box, mounting provisions and isolator are available through the dealer. it should also be noted that access to this battery in to the van (for those who wish to wire up their entertainment systems etc) is through the side pannel behind the side cargo door. I believe this aux battery system is offered as an option on gas engine E350's and standard on the Diesel's.
Frank
Frank