two batteries??? huh !?!?!?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,066
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From: Chatsworth, CA
I envy you! 
You can run a ton of accessories on two batteries. winch, offroad lights, welder etc. and can also save you if your 1st battery is dead. Killer setup and aint cheap. Get dual Optima yellow tops when those go bad.
You can run a ton of accessories on two batteries. winch, offroad lights, welder etc. and can also save you if your 1st battery is dead. Killer setup and aint cheap. Get dual Optima yellow tops when those go bad.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 772
Likes: 1
Diesels are all equiped with two and if memory serves it was a package option on the others. It is a great asset to have, if adding any accesories like 95-f-350-4x4 listed. ALso, if in to the thumping scene, guys would kill for the power available to run subs, etc.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 9
From: USA
The dual batteries are great if you're hauling a slide-in RV camper too. I don't know if the dual batteries were included in Ford's camper package, but our old Chevy with camper package had the dual batteries and that was a great setup.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
My '93 250 had the camper package, but there's no indication that there was ever a 2nd battery in there, so it must have been a separate option. I like the idea of 2 batteries, though. Lots more time using accessories until you kill them. I know guys who use their trucks to plow like to have them.
So, I assume they are hooked up in parallel, and not switched (as in, one dies then the other kicks in automatically or manually)?
Jason
So, I assume they are hooked up in parallel, and not switched (as in, one dies then the other kicks in automatically or manually)?
Jason
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
yea theyre in parallel, i was just wonderin y the guy before me did it but now that you guys mention all the options i have im kinda excited about it
anyways thanks.............. also on another post i asked about some exhaust options for my truck(300 4.9l) and gibson and and magnaflow were mentioned but are there any others that may be a little cheaper??????? thakns
anyways thanks.............. also on another post i asked about some exhaust options for my truck(300 4.9l) and gibson and and magnaflow were mentioned but are there any others that may be a little cheaper??????? thakns
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
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From: USA
It's really a good idea to hook up the batteries with an diode solator or a relay/switch system, so you don't drain both batteries at the same time and end up with no way to start the truck. The diode isolator will use one battery for starting, the other for accessories, so the accessories don't drain your starting battery, but the alternator will still charge both batteries. This works fine as long as you don't have a diesel that requires both batteries for starting.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
It's really a good idea to hook up the batteries with an diode solator or a relay/switch system, so you don't drain both batteries at the same time and end up with no way to start the truck. The diode isolator will use one battery for starting, the other for accessories, so the accessories don't drain your starting battery, but the alternator will still charge both batteries. This works fine as long as you don't have a diesel that requires both batteries for starting.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 2
From: Miami
I'm in the process of converting my F-150 to dual batteries.
I do Volunteer work for the county and often spend the day sitting at an intersection with the Radio and strobe lights going.
When I'm done, I'm going to have two completely independent electrical systems, one for the truck, and one for the accessories (radios, lights, etc). I'm installing a second battery and I'm replacing the smog pump with a second alternator. There will be no connection between the two batteries.
That way, I can run the lights and radios until the battery is dead. then I can start the truck and recharge the battery without affecting the trucks main battery.
My only concern is the location of the second alternator. Mounted at the bottom where the smog pump used to be, It can become vulnerable to high water.
I still have hopes of fixing my AC (I believe it is just low on Freon), so I don't want to remove the AC Compressor to mount it there.
I do Volunteer work for the county and often spend the day sitting at an intersection with the Radio and strobe lights going.
When I'm done, I'm going to have two completely independent electrical systems, one for the truck, and one for the accessories (radios, lights, etc). I'm installing a second battery and I'm replacing the smog pump with a second alternator. There will be no connection between the two batteries.
That way, I can run the lights and radios until the battery is dead. then I can start the truck and recharge the battery without affecting the trucks main battery.
My only concern is the location of the second alternator. Mounted at the bottom where the smog pump used to be, It can become vulnerable to high water.
I still have hopes of fixing my AC (I believe it is just low on Freon), so I don't want to remove the AC Compressor to mount it there.