Hi Guys!

A while back, I recall seeing a post referring to a dual battery install in a Bronco. I am trying to dig thru the archives, but with my dial-up connection, I'm about ready to pull my hair out.
Does anybody recall the approximate date of this post?
I wanted to take a look at the article again and also the needed parts.
I saw a kit in Jegs but I'm sure I could do it much cheaper with the article and parts list.

Thanks all!

Steve

 

How about 11/22/2000 & 06/21/1999

Near the top of the page is a search function and I just entered 'dual battery'

I downloaded a pic that showed how one setup was done. Basically it was a swith that allowed the two batteries to run together, and disconnected otherwise.
Good luck.

 

I installed a dual battery system on my '75 highboy (which has been mainly relegated to snow plowing). I used a battery isolator to isolate both batteries. I use the main battery to run the truck, and use the 2nd battery to run my plow and KC Lights (100W each). I have never had a problem with this setup. Make sure you use at least 10 gauge wire to connect the batteries to the isolator. With an isolator, you can run two batteries that are completely different: age, amp rating, etc. (as long as they are 12V). The link below is to a company who manufacturers battery isolators. They have tons of info on their site. Go to the technical bulletins link.
Http://www.surepower.com
I would not use a battery switch. They are mainly for boats to have a reserve battery for emergency situations. I'm not too familiar with them, but if you want to use the 2nd battery, you have to manually switch to it.

'75 Highboy
1975 F-250 4x4 (390, T18, p/s conv.)
1988 Ranger 4x4 (5.0 EFI, T5 trans.)
1993 Bronco 4x4 (5.8 EFI, no mods yet, it's just the "family wagon"!)

 

Thanks for the help guys!!

Hey 75, I checked out the site and the specs on the isolator sound very cool. So you completely relegate your second battery to accessories? I don't know much about switches myself, but i think they would be a great idea in use with the isolator. Say for instance your ignition battery died, a switch would be great for instant swap to use the accessory battery? Not that anyone stuck would be too lazy to manually swap wires, but it would be a cool concept.
Don't know how this works in practice, hopefully some of the other guys would now about the pros and cons and will fill us in.

Thanks!

Steve

 

Well, Echo,
I had my main battery go bad on me in the middle of plowing 12" of snow. I opened the hood, disconnected both batteries, and swapped them. I drove home, put my boat battery in the truck for the dead one, and went back to work plowing snow. I was glad I had a spare battery to at least get me home. I don't know how many possible positions a switch can have (sure would have been nice to just flip a switch and carry on), but I have more time than money. I just looked in my West Marine catalog for battery switches. They start at $30 and go up to $100. These switches don't isolate the batteries, so if you're trying to charge 2 batteries at once, the older or weaker one will run down the better one. I prefer an isolator.

Now I am going to stand on my soapbox for anyone that will listen. Please,please,please use an anticorrosive grease on all electrical connections!!!! Anyone who has tried to pry apart a connector that has corroded together knows what I mean. I use a silicone grease made by Dow Chemical Co. I bought it at my seal and bearing supplier in a tube the size of a toothpaste tube. It was only $8. I squeeze a little on battery terminals and use a small brush to spread it around. I don't even use those battery "washers". The grease does a great job at fending off corrosion. Try it, it will work. I have not had to clean battery connections in years!

'75 Highboy
1975 F-250 4x4 (390, T18, p/s conv.)
1988 Ranger 4x4 (5.0 EFI, T5 trans.)
1993 Bronco 4x4 (5.8 EFI, no mods yet, it's just the "family wagon"!)